Dangerous goods are assigned different classes from 1 to 9. These classes range from highly dangerous goods such as explosives, flammables and smoking acids to everyday goods such as paints, solvents and pesticides. When transporting, dangerous goods must be properly packaged in accordance with international and national regulations for each mode of transport to ensure their safety.
What cargo is dangerous during delivery?
Transport by road, rail, inland waterway, sea and air is regulated internationally by European agreements, directives and regulations, as well as national legislation. If you are involved in the handling, packaging or transport of dangerous goods, you first need to classify them correctly so that all organizations in the supply chain, including emergency management authorities, know and understand exactly what the hazards are. The rules for the transportation of dangerous goods divide goods into the following classes (subsections):
| Class | Description |
| 1. Explosives. | Explosives with a danger of mass explosion; with a risk of throwing; with predominantly fire hazard; without significant explosion hazard; insensitive explosives; extremely insensitive explosives. |
| 2. Gases. | Flammable, non-flammable, poisonous and corrosive gases. |
| 3. Flammable liquids. | Flash point below -18°C; below -18°C and above, but less than 23°C; from 23°C to 61°C. |
| 4. Flammable solids | Self-igniting materials and materials that are hazardous when wet. |
| 5. Oxidizing agents and organic peroxides. | Organic peroxides and oxidizing agents. |
| 6. Poisons and etiological materials. | Etiological (infectious) materials and toxic materials. |
| 7. Radioactive material. | Any material or combination of materials that spontaneously emits ionizing radiation. |
| 8. Corrosive substances. | A material, liquid or solid, that causes visible destruction or permanent change to human skin, or a liquid that is severely corrosive to steel or aluminum. |
| 9. Other dangerous substances and objects. | Material presenting a transport hazard but not included in the classification. |
The shipper, the person or entity shipping the goods, is responsible for grading, marking and packaging.
Types and methods of delivery
The rules for the transport of dangerous goods by road provide that drivers of transport units subject to marking must undergo training. Advanced training courses must be completed so that drivers can transport:
- explosives (advanced training class 1);
- radioactive substances (advanced training class 7);
- dangerous goods in tankers or vehicles adapted for the carriage of liquid cargo (advanced training for tankers).
Drivers must take refresher courses every five years. If a driver wants to have all the necessary qualifications, he must complete 48 lessons and pass four tests. European regulations also provide for the role of a safety advisor. A security consultant provides advice to companies and takes preventative measures to ensure the safe transport of goods. For example, by monitoring the packing procedure or ensuring that suitable means of transport are used. Thus, the advisor ensures the safety of transport.
Rules for the carriage of dangerous goods by sea
Before shipping containers with dangerous goods by sea, a number of documents must be completed. Dangerous goods declarations, special permits, competent authority approvals, safety checklists, packaging and labeling requirements, and other supporting documents all require certain conditions to be met. To simplify the process and ensure the safe transport of your goods, it is important to choose a transport partner that you can trust and who will provide help and advice when required.
Rules for the transportation of dangerous goods by rail
The Dangerous Goods Regulations provide information on the characteristics of railway wagons carrying dangerous goods, which must be manufactured to strict standards. Loads must be properly packaged, labeled and documented, and employees must be trained to handle the cars safely. Trains are also checked not only at the point of departure, but throughout their route.
Every year the standards improve, thereby guaranteeing greater safety for everyone. The standard requires tanks carrying flammable liquids to have thicker steel hulls than previous models, as well as thermal insulation and protective enclosures, among other improvements.
Ensuring safety on the road
The authority responsible for enforcing the rules depends on the type of transport:
- Road transport is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the police.
- the Office of Rail and Road is responsible for railway transport;
- The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for maritime transport.
- The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for air transport.
Control of the delivery of such goods is regulated by the Rules for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods.
Rules for the transportation of dangerous goods: documentation
The documentation must comply with the specifications established by the regulations applicable to the selected mode of transport. The transport document must be completed by the sender (the individual or legal entity from whom the goods were received for transportation). The legislation provides an example of a multimodal delivery document and describes cases where the document may not be required. For example, for a small quantity of goods. To ship air cargo classified as unsafe, a special air transport document, such as the shipper’s Dangerous Goods Declaration, must be used.
Marking
In addition to requirements related to their transportation, suppliers are required by law to label their hazardous products and packaged chemicals with symbols, warnings, and safety advice. A number of internationally recognized symbols have been developed to ensure that people handling products are aware of the nature of the threat they pose. Manufacturers must also include directions for use on the label or leaflet supplied with the product. Suppliers must provide Material Safety Data Sheets for hazardous products used in the workplace.
For chemicals, the general principles of classification and labeling for supplies are explained in the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations. Safety labeling requirements may vary depending on the country of delivery, so it is recommended to check the requirements in destination countries before transporting goods. For example, the US has different requirements than most European countries, so while dangerous goods from America can be moved with them labeled, it is likely that you will have to change their labeling before you can move them to Europe .
Package
If you deal in dangerous goods, you must comply with the packaging requirements contained in relevant legislation to ensure that the goods are transported safely. The packaging must be designed and manufactured to UN specification standards and must pass practical tests associated with transport, such as drop, stack retention and exposure to required pressure. It must also satisfy the needs of the substance it will contain. The container must be certified by the national competent authority.
UN approved packaging is marked with the prefix “UN” followed by codes for national and international transport of dangerous goods by road, rail, air and sea. The Transportation Authority is responsible for certifying packaging for dangerous goods in Ukraine. The packaging must also have the correct labeling and markings appropriate to the substance and packaging. Different authorities are responsible for compliance with transport regulations by road, air and sea.