Deadline approaches for Palmer's refinery

Outspoken businessman Clive Palmer must take charge of safety at his nickel refinery otherwise the Queensland government will make him.

Mr Palmer regained control of the refinery in February under his new company Queensland Nickel Sales, but QNS is yet to transfer the major hazard facility licence, which requires the operator to meet stringent safety conditions, from administrators FTI Consulting.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) had announced QNS had until Wednesday to voluntarily declare itself the operator or it would be given the status regardless.

Complying with the major hazard licence is one of the steps required to reopen the Yabulu refinery, which sacked 550 workers in March.

WHSQ said QNS still had one outstanding statutory notice in addition to the major hazard licence.