Regional and international handling and transportation of hazarous cargo are governed by set regulations and agreements.
These have been developed over the years by competent authorities to ensure that transport companies and agencies adhere to the constantly evolving safety measures in line with technical progress.
Dangerous goods are articles and products that can harm a person’s health, produce a safety risk or be environmentally hazardous to the environment.
Notwithstanding the risks, these products need to be handled and transported to their destinations. However, unsafe transport of hazardous materials can get a company into serious trouble.
Transportation via air, sea or road is covered by the European Agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road, the International Maritime dangerous goods regulations and the International Air Transport Association regulations respectively. ADR and IMDG regulations change every two years while IATA changes every year.
Companies and exporters therefore need to ensure they are constantly in compliance with these regulations. Failure in doing so could lead to serious financial and corporate repercussions.
Vehicles, including equipment carried, documentation on board, driver licences and many other aspects, need to comply. This is why it is important for companies to ensure they are being serviced by trusted and experienced transport and logistics providers who are compliant and fully versed in the intricate guidelines and regulations about transport, especially when dangerous cargo is involved.
Training of personnel dealing with dangerous goods, whether physical handling or consigning, is another essential priority and the regulations specify that training should take place prior to personnel taking up responsibilities. There is a requirement to refresh this training every two years.
A clear and seamless synergy must be in place between a transport company’s sales team and the rest of the organisation. Sales people are the ones in touch with the clients on a daily basis, handling orders and managing timeframes.
Yet, are they aware of the safety implications and the necessary procedures that need to be in place when dangerous goods are concerned? Are they aware that dangerous cargo needs to be X-rayed, packaged and documented in specific ways and that, unless this is done, the consignment cannot be despatched?
Proper packaging of goods also needs to be carried out according to set regulations and specifications
Irrespective of the mode of transport, a responsible transporter also needs to consider compatibility since certain classes of hazardous goods cannot be shipped together but have to be segregated.
As a shipper or receiver of dangerous goods, you should be in possession of a Material Safety Data Sheet. This document will state whether the goods are dangerous or not for transport. You will need to specify and list all the essential product descriptions and information to be able to forward the consignment for despatch.
Proper packaging of goods also needs to be carried out according to set regulations and specifications. Packaging needs to be leak, drop and stack tested to ensure that the items maintain their integrity in difficult circumstances. Packaging requires appropriate labelling and marking that is clearly legible and readable even in extreme weather conditions. For ease of handling, packages may be placed on pallets and shrink-wrapped as long as any labelling and markings remain visible and easily readable.
Hazardous goods and materials will be handled by many different people. Therefore, at all stages of the transit, everyone involved needs to be adequately equipped with the relevant information to be aware that the goods are dangerous. Failure to advise the dangerous nature of the goods can lead to serious implications and hefty fines.
A very important aspect in the delivery chain are the vehicles used for the transportation of hazardous goods. Trucks and trailers carry hazardous goods for long hauls and given today’s very high safety requirements and specifications, transport companies have to constantly make sure their fleet of trailers and trucks are up to scratch.
There are many conditions to respect. Is the vehicle over its threshold limit for the type of goods on board, which then makes it a fully regulated journey? Does the vehicle need to be orange plated? Are instructions in writing required? Such information shuld constitute the information that completes the Vehicle Check List.
Companies who need to dispatch hazardous cargo safely and securely need to constantly consult professionals who are aware of all the implications related to storage, packaging, markings and labelling, handling and loading of dangerous goods on a regular basis. There is a lot of liability involved and in case of an accident, much is at stake.
Jesmond Mifsud is a senior sales manager at Express Trailers overseeing the logistics activity related to the handling of hazardous cargo. He is qualified with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of the UK.