Dangerous goods and hazardous/hazmat materials are part of our daily life. Show
“Dangerous goods refers to substances and articles in respect of which carriage is prohibited by the RID or authorised only under the conditions prescribed therein” (RID 2019, Chapter 1.2 – Definitions). Yet, these goods when being transported can cause potential harm to the people, living organisms, as well as to the environment. With the aim of preventing unwanted situations, companies transporting such materials shall insure safe transportation by following the rules and regulations given by the European Union regulatory bodies. So, let’s take a further read on what dangerous goods and hazmat materials are, and how these goods and materials can be properly handled by transportation companies operating in Europe. What are Dangerous Goods?All substances and items that pose a risk to health, safety, or risk to the environment are classifies as dangerous goods. On the other hand hazardous or hazmat materials are the liquids, solids, substances or gases that can harm living organisms/people, property or the environment. Dangerous goods and hazmat materials transportation are subject to chemical regulations. The people who are transporting such goods and materials have to be specially trained on how to handle materials that pose high risk (materials that are flammable, corrosive, toxic, radioactive). As previously mentioned, hazardous/hazmat materials are subject to chemical regulations. There are different regulations that transportation companies should follow for particular hazardous/hazmat materials classifications. The classification of hazardous/hazmat materials was made on the bassi of the specific chemical characteristics producing the risk. The transportation of such materials in the European Union is regulated by:
Detailed Hazardous/Hazmat materials classification:1 Explosives 2 Gases 2.1 Flammable gas 2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gas 2.3 Toxic gas 3 Flammable liquid 4 Flammable solids 4.1 Flammable solid 4.2 Spontaneously combustible substance 4.3 Substance which emits flammable gas in contact with water 5 Oxidizers and organic peroxides 5.1 Oxidising substance 5.2 Organic peroxide 6 Toxic and infectious substances 6.1 Toxic substance 6.2 Infectious substance 7 Radioactive material 8 Corrosive substances 9 Miscellaneous dangerous substances Transportation of Hazardous Materials Requires Special CertificationSince dangerous goods and hazardous/hazmat material transportation can be incredibly complex and challenging task, straight proportionally it requires special certifications. The European HAZMAT Certification (HAZ 15) is a must for transportation companies that perform transportation of such goods within Europe. By undergoing this certification, the truck driver will learn how to:
Hazardous/hazmat materials classification is the foremost important thing that trucking companies and truck drivers should cover. The classification dictates all elements that are interconnected with hazardous material transportation compliance. Once the classification is done, the packing, labelling, documentation and placarding can be done. European Carriage of Dangerous Goods RegulationsThe transportation of dangerous goods within the European Union us regulated by the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road ECE/TRANS/225 (Vol. I & II) (ADR) and Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations (CDG). Hence, the companies transporting dangerous goods have to pay special attention to the training of their employees. All employees/ truck drivers should undergo a training governing the carriage of dangerous goods. In general, the training should include:
In addition to that, companies must appoint a safety advisor with the purpose of giving them on the safety, legal as well as environmental aspects of the overall transportation process of dangerous goods. Final thoughtsDangerous goods and hazardous/hazmat materials transportation is an incredibly complex and challenging task. There are a myriad of regulations and obligations that transportation companies should follow with the aim of providing the maximum load security. Here at Deni Internacional we have years of experience in the transport of dangerous goods, which include a wide range of materials and substances.
Chemical transportation is an essential part of the chemical supply chain. However, If not handled properly, transporting hazardous chemicals can be a risk to people, communities, and the environment. Knowing the hazards associated with chemical transportation, APC offers ways to store, protect, and transport aggressive chemicals safely. In this article, we discuss how toxic chemicals should be stored, the primary hazard of unstable substances, and a checklist for transporting hazardous chemicals.
OSHA cites,
Statute, standards, and regulations set OSHA requirements. A substance is defined as hazardous if it has one or more of the following characteristics:
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), dangerous materials are classified as follows...
There are several ways or best practices for the safe storage of hazardous chemicals.
Placarding Requirements: Each "bulk packaging, freight container, unit load device, transport vehicle or rail car containing any quantity of a hazardous material must be placarded corresponding to the hazard class of the hazardous material being transported. And each must follow design and placement requirements." [source] By Source (WP: NFCC#4), Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39171373
The right criteria must be considered when selecting a coating to provide the most cost-effective corrosion protection. If an appropriate liner is not chosen and applied, contamination of the stored product and deterioration of the tank becomes more likely. 3. Transportation of Hazardous ChemicalsTransporting chemicals and hazardous materials requires a process that must comply with strict federal, state, and local regulations. The method also demands choosing the right coating powerful enough to stop corrosion, ensure cargo purity, and maximize your uptime. Who regulates hazardous material transportation? The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) is the principal federal law regulating the transportation of hazardous materials in the United States.
Furthermore, there are other international directives and regulations that govern transporting chemicals via road, rail, sea, and air.
Having a good understanding of these varying regulatory frameworks is crucial, however, it is just the beginning. Gaining knowledge of the various on-site and off-site hazards that can occur with transporting chemicals, as well as how to prevent them in the first place, will help you reduce the risk of a chemical accident. Keep reading to find the checklist we compiled for transporting chemicals in each mode of transportation below...
There are different modes of transportation in the industry and each requires safety standards when transporting chemicals. We pulled together a checklist for transporting chemicals in each mode of transportation. Over the Road Transport HazardsPossible causes of accidents: Overturning, overfilling, poor maintenance of the vehicle, inadequate inspection, lack of proper training. Prevention:
Rail Transportation of Dangerous MaterialsPossible causes of accidents: Derailment, collisions, lack of proper inspection and maintenance, use of unfit equipment and tank cars. Prevention:
Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals by WaterPossible causes of accidents: Lack of proper inspection and maintenance, inadequate training of operating personnel. Prevention:
Source: Transportation of Hazardous Substances
1. Avoid Transporting Hazardous Chemicals With FoodOnce a tank container is tagged to carry food, you can't use it to transport any other cargo type. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDA) requires regulations for the sanitary transportation of food by shippers and carriers by motor or rail vehicle. To prevent food safety problems, here are a few guidelines to adhere to:
The responsibility for keeping food safe falls largely on those who transport the goods. The ultimate goal is to ensure consumers have access to safe food. 2. Follow the Dangerous Goods Segregation Rules for Carrying Mixed Classes of Hazardous ChemicalsIncompatible dangerous goods should not be transported or stored together. Chemicals must be separated when being stored to ensure incompatible chemicals do not mix if there is a spill. Store incompatible substances separately. Poor storage of dangerous goods can create risks as in fire and explosion from reactions. Storing flammable materials in suitable containers away from ignition sources will decrease the risk.ChemSafetyPro shared an article about dangerous goods segregation and how to get necessary information to determine whether you should transport or store hazardous material together with other hazardous substances. According to ChemSafetyPro, the general principles of dangerous goods segregation include:
Source: Dangerous Goods Segregation Table and Principles 3. Secure Chemicals Against Movement on Transportation VehiclesHandling and transporting hazardous materials can be risky. Proper loading and securing will help eliminate some of the risks. Brace all containers so they can not fall, slide, or bounce around during transportation. 4. Keep a Record of the Substances You are CarryingShipping papers and written emergency instructions are critical for safety. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the safety data sheet when storing chemicals. 5. Confirm You Have the Required Signs and Proper Labeling (Placards and Markings)Hazardous materials must be appropriately labeled to avoid health and safety problems. What You Can Find on a Warning Label...
Maintaining compliance with Dangerous Goods regulations doesn’t stop with packaging and labeling. Shippers need to be aware of placarding requirements before putting their shipments into commerce. Placards are standard hazmat identifiers, designed to meet individual specifications, and placed on outer containers, trucks, cylinders, or other vehicles used for transport.
The most popular hazmat labels are Flammable Liquid, Corrosive, Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods, Toxic and Flammable Gas. "If you've traveled the highways, you've seen trucks, tankers, and rail cars with the distinctive square-on-point placards that indicate the presence of Dangerous Goods (DG) on board." An infographic from LabelMaster provides a brief overview of the regulations governing the use of placards on trucks and trains.
Infographic | Dangerous Goods on Roads and Rails: Placards 6. Have an Emergency Team of Specialized PeopleHaving procedures in place and teams to handle emergency leaks is invaluable. The first step if a spill occurs is communication and determination. Evaluate the risks and potential impact. 7. Include a Method of Corrosion Control in Roads and Rail TransportPolymeric linings are essential for protecting the integrity of any vehicle from chemical attack when storing highly corrosive and damaging chemicals. Just as vital as the linings are the protection of the areas in and around and underneath tanks, including concrete tank pads, flooring, secondary containment and wastewater areas. Use a secondary containment system such as a drip tray or bund (a storage area designed to prevent liquids from escaping). The storage area must be able to withstand spills and splashes, and tank leaks from aggressive chemical exposures, including strong acids, alkalis, gases, solvents, and oxidizers, to prevent migration into the concrete surfaces. ConclusionTo ensure greater flexibility in the range of chemicals that can be handled by one tank, it is wise to consider a universal lining. Extensive testing and years of field service have shown that the ChemLINE® system protects tanks against more types of chemicals and environmental influences than stainless steel, phenolic epoxies, and other conventional coatings. Avoiding the need to recoat while preserving the integrity and longevity of the tanks and the purity of the contained chemicals — can save tens of thousands of dollars in labor, materials, and repairs. |