Dangerous Goods or Hazardous Materials are chemicals in Solid , Liquid or Gas form which can harm people , other living organisms , property or the environment .One of the sensitive issues faced by the transportation industry today is the safe transportation of the Dangerous Goods. Considering the risk associated with DG, safety precautions are to be applied during its storage, usage, transportation and disposal. Laws and regulations on the use and handling of hazardous materials may differ depending on the activity and status of the material.
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO)
IMO is United Nation’s specialized agency which has developed international legislations dealing with two key issues for the maritime industry
(1) The safety of life at sea
(2) Prevention of pollution from ships
IMO has developed two international conventions two address these issues. They are
(1) The SOLAS Convention (covering safety of life at sea)
(2) The MARPOL Convention (covering pollution prevention)
To supplement the principles laid down in above two conventions IMO developed International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).IMDG Code contains detailed technical specification to enable safe handling and transportation of DG. The main objective of the IMDG code is to:
• Enhance the safe transport of dangerous goods
• Protect the marine environment
• Facilitate the free unrestricted movement of dangerous goods
Also IMDG code is a complete instruction manual for DG cargo Classification, documentation and packaging .The IMDG Code became mandatory for adoption by SOLAS signatory states from 1st January 2004 and is based on an internationally agreed system which:
• Groups dangerous goods together based on the hazards they present in transport (classification).
• Contains the dangerous goods in packaging/tanks which are of appropriate strength and which will prevent the goods escaping.
• Uses hazard warning labels and other identifying marks to identify dangerous goods in transport.
• Requires standard documentation to be provided when dangerous goods are being transported.
• Lays down principles for ensuring that dangerous goods which will react dangerously together are kept apart.
• Lays down principles for where to place dangerous goods on board ship to ensure safe transport.
• Provides emergency response advice for dangerous goods involved in a fire or spillage on board ship
The IMDG Code is updated every two years to take account of:
• New dangerous goods which have to be included.
• New technology and methods of working with or handling dangerous goods.
. Safety concerns which arise as a result of experience
Layout of IMDG code
• The Code comprises 7 parts.
• It is presented in two books; Volume 1 and Volume 2.
• It is necessary to use both books to obtain the required
information when shipping dangerous goods by sea.
• The Code also contains a Supplement.
Classification Of DG
DG are classified according to their specific properties ( explosives, corrosive, flammable , radioactive, oxidizing, toxic etc.) and hazards it may cause. Nine (9) classes have been established internationally by a UN committee to ensure that all modes of transport (road,rail ,air and sea) classify DG in the same way.
The 9 classes are:
Class 1 Explosives
Class 2 Gases
Class 3 Flammable liquids
Class 4 Flammable solids
Class 5 Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Class 6 Toxic and infectious substances
Class 7 Radioactive material
Class 8 Corrosive substances
Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
The purpose of the classification is
- To distinguish between goods which are considered to be dangerous for transport and those which are not
- To identify the dangers which are presented by DGs in handling and transport
- The type of packaging to be used
- What type of DGs can be transported and stored together
- Where the goods can be stored within the port and on the ship
- To ensure that correct measures are taken in case of mishaps
Packing And Labeling the DG Product
Packing of DG product is another area of importance. IMDG code has given clear guidance / instructions on the tests to be conducted on DG products to decide the kind of packaging to be used. There are 3 packing groups PG1 , PG II , PG III .
Correct labeling of the product and placarding the container with accurate information is also very important. This helps to identify and segregate the DG products. Also enables quick reaction to dangers and mishaps.
The external packing and the vehicle in which the goods are transported must have the appropriate diamond shaped label (placard) fixed to them. This helps a great extent to overcome the language barriers.
UN Number and Proper Shipping Name. (PSN)
The DG products are uniquely identified by 2 piece of information within the 9 classes
1. Four digit number known as UN Number
2. Proper Shipping name or PSN.
