Why handle dangerous cargo properly? Because it Saves your life Protects your health Preserves your equipment Makes your customers happy Minimises risks Protects the environment These are all very good reasons to take care!!!
Action plans for accidents If you witness a hazardous materials accident, spill or leak Safety department in your company: Police station: Fire brigade: Hospital: Stay away from the incident site. Before leaving close all windows, shut vents and turn off attic fans. Seal entry routes as efficiently as possible. Close windows and doors and seal draughty places with wet towels, blankets or duct tape. Close all fireplace dampers. Avoid contact with any spilled liquid materials, airborne mist or condensed solid chemical deposit. Keep your body fully covered and wear gloves, socks and shoes, even though these measures may offer minimal protection. Avoid eating or drinking any food or water that may be contaminated. Stay away from water or showers until you know if the material reacts with water. Change into fresh, loose, warm clothing and seek medical help as soon as possible.
How to read the UN package mark UN 1A1/ X 1.8/ 100/ 95/ Country ABC 2-001 1.1/0.8/1.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 UN symbol Packaging code: 1 Drum A Steel 1 Non-removable head Packing group: X Acceptable for substances in packing groups I, II and III The relative density of liquids (if not indicated it is assumed to be 1.2) or the gross mass in kg (solids) for which the packaging has been tested. The hydrostatic test pressure in kpa (liquids) or the letter 'S', meaning the package has been tested for solids or inner packagings. Year of manufacture. Country code for the country authorising the allocation of the mark. Name or registered symbol of the manufacturer. Transport design registration number. Nominal thickness of the material of construction (metal drums only); top head/body/bottom head.
Class 1: explosives 1.1 A substance or article with a mass explosion hazard. 1.2 A substance or article with a fragment projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard. 1.3 A substance or article with a fire hazard and either a minor explosion hazard or a minor projection hazard or both but not a mass explosion hazard. ** Space for the division * Compatibility group 1.4 A substance or article which presents no significant hazard; explosion effects are largely confined to the package and no projection or fragments of appreciable size or range are to be expected. 1.5 A very insensitive substance which nevertheless has a mass explosion hazard such as those substances in 1.1. 1.6 An extremely insensitive substance which does not have a mass explosion hazard. Commonly used in mining and construction operations (example: blasting agents). Explosion caused by shock or chemical reaction. Follow manufacturer's recommendations. Discard before the expiry date. Store minimum quantities.
Class 2: gases 2.1 Flammable gas. Commonly used as fuel (example: propane). (black or white symbol on a red background) 2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gas. Commonly used in food refrigeration (example: nitrogen). 2.3 Toxic gas. Commonly used in pulp bleaching (example: sulphur dioxide). 2.2 (5.1) Oxygen and oxidising gases. Flammable gases Ignites easily, burns rapidly Store away from ignition sources and oxidisers. Secure with a double chain to prevent falling. Store oxygen away from flammable gases. Check connections regularly to avoid leakage. Non-flammable gases Tank rupture, fire, toxic atmosphere, oxygen displacement Store upright, secure with a double chain to prevent falling. Check connections regularly to avoid leakage.
Class 3: flammable liquids o A liquid which has a closed-cup flash point not greater than 60.5 C. (black or white symbol on a red background) Commonly used as fuel (example: gasoline, ethanol, fuel oil or diesel). Ignites easily, burns rapidly. Store in a flammable storage cabinet away from ignition sources and oxidisers. Quantities should not exceed 10 gallons. Class 4: flammables Flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneous combustion, substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases (water-reactive materials) 4.1 A solid that under normal transportation conditions is readily combustible or would cause or contribute to fire through friction or from heat retained from manufacturing or processing or is a self-reactive substance that is liable to undergo a strongly exothermic reaction or is a desensitised explosive that is liable to explode if not diluted sufficiently to suppress its explosive properties. Commonly used in lacquers (example: nitrocellulose). 4.2 A substance liable to spontaneous combustion under normal transportation conditions or when in contact with air, liable to spontaneous heating to the point where it ignites. Commonly used in rocket fuel (example: diethylzinc). 4.3 A substance which, in contact with water, emits dangerous quantities of flammable gases or becomes spontaneously combustible on contact with water or water vapour. Commonly used in heat exchangers (valves, example: sodium). Ignites easily, burns rapidly. Store in a flammable storage cabinet away from ignition sources and oxidisers.
Class 5: Oxidising substances and organic peroxides 5.1 A substance which causes or contributes to the combustion of other materials by yielding oxygen or other oxidising substances whether or not the substance itself is combustible. Commonly used in fertilisers (example: ammonium nitrate). 5.2 An organic compound that contains the bivalent "-O-O-" structure which is a strong oxidising agent and may be liable to explosive decomposition, be sensitive to heat, shock or friction, react dangerously with other dangerous goods or may cause damage to the eyes. Commonly used in automobile body shops as body filler (example: dibenzoyl peroxide). 5.1 Fire or explosion. 5.2 Explosion resulting from the formation of concentrated peroxide crystals. Store away from organics and flammables. Do not store directly on wooden shelves or paper. Store chlorine separately from acids. Dispose of before date of expiry. If there is no marked expiry date, label with receipt date and keep for no more than 1 year or 6 months after opening. Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances 6.1 A solid or liquid which is toxic when inhaled, ingested or when it comes into contact with the skin. Commonly used as a germicide or general disinfectant (example: phenol). 6.2 Micro-organisms which are infectious or are reasonably believed to be infectious to humans or animals. Commonly used in disease research (example: rabies). Acute or toxic effects which may be local, systemic or both. Store in a secure, sealed container below shoulder level. Use only in designated areas. Store away from incompatibles.
Class 7: radioactive materials Radioactive materials which lie within the stipulations of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act with an activity greater than 70 kbq/kg. Commonly used in nuclear fuel rods (example: radioactive material LSA or yellow cake). There are three categories which indicate the surface radiation level for a package, where Category I represents the lowest level of intensity and Category III the highest. LOW radiation MEDIUM radiation HIGH radiation Considered acutely hazardous substances Restricted by packaging, quantity, labelling and marking, mode of storage.
Class 8: corrosives A substance that causes damage to the skin or corrodes steel or non-clad aluminium. Commonly used in batteries and industrial cleaners (example: sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide). Tissue damage, violent reactions with strong bases. Segregate from mineral acids, oxidising acids and bases. Class 9: miscellaneous products, substances or organisms A substance that does not meet the criteria for inclusion in Classes 1 to 8. This includes genetically modified micro-organisms, marine pollutants, elevated temperature materials and environmentally hazardous substances. Commonly used in brake shoes (example: asbestos) and in dry cell batteries (example: ammonium chloride). Fumigation sign Mixed load shipment Elevated temperature sign Orange panel or Small means of containment Marine pollutant mark or Large means of containment