Logistics Encyclopedia

What is a dangerous good

Dangerous goods are materials or substances that may pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during transportation.

Documents governing the transportation of dangerous goods

The transportation of dangerous goods is governed by numerous national and international documents, including:

1. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG): this code sets out the rules for transporting dangerous goods by sea and covers matters such as cargo classification, packaging, consolidation, marking, and much more.
2. ICAO Technical Instructions (ICAO-TI): these are international standards for the safe air transportation of dangerous goods. They define requirements for packaging, marking, documentation, and personnel training.
3. European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR): this European agreement sets out the rules for transporting dangerous goods by road.
4. Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID): these regulations govern the transportation of dangerous goods by rail.
5. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code): governs the transportation of dangerous goods by sea.
6. IATA regulations (IATA DGR): set out the rules for transporting dangerous goods by air.
7. Regulatory documents of the country of dispatch and the country of destination: each country may have its own national rules and regulations concerning the transportation of dangerous goods, including the regulation of specific types of cargo.
8. Hazardous and Noxious Substances Convention (HNS Convention): defines measures for the prevention, mitigation, and compensation of damage caused by hazardous and noxious substances transported by sea.

In Russia and the CIS countries, the transportation of dangerous goods is governed by a series of GOST standards. Here are some of them:

1. GOST 19 433-88 "Dangerous goods. Classification and marking". It regulates the classification of dangerous goods and sets out requirements for their marking.
2. GOST 14 192-96 "Cargo. Marking". This GOST establishes general requirements for the marking of cargo, including dangerous goods.
3. GOST R 51 232-98 "Transport logistics. Terms and definitions". This GOST contains definitions of various terms related to transport logistics, including the transportation of dangerous goods.
4. GOST R 52 044-2003 "Dangerous goods. Packaging and large packaging units. General requirements". This GOST establishes general requirements for the packaging of dangerous goods.
5. GOST R 52 614-2006 "Dangerous goods. Documentation system". It regulates the system for recording and processing documents related to dangerous goods.
6. GOST 12.1.004-91 "Occupational Safety Standards System. Fire safety. General requirements". This GOST sets out requirements for ensuring fire safety in the transportation of dangerous goods.

Please note that these are only some of the GOST standards governing the transportation of dangerous goods. Up-to-date information as of the date of the planned shipment should be verified with the transport company.

Different documents may be relevant to each particular shipment of dangerous goods depending on the mode of transport (sea, air, rail, road), the place of dispatch, and the destination.

Classes of dangerous goods

Dangerous goods are classified into 9 classes according to their characteristics and potential risks:

• Class 1: Explosive substances and articles

Includes all materials and articles that can cause an explosion, such as dynamite, gunpowder, pyrotechnic articles, and certain types of ammunition.

• Class 2: Gases

This class covers compressed, liquefied, or dissolved under pressure gases, including propane, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, aerosols, and gas cylinders with firefighting equipment.

• Class 3: Flammable liquids

This class includes liquids whose vapors can ignite from a spark or open flame at normal temperature, including gasoline, kerosene, and alcohol.

• Class 4: Flammable solids

Includes substances that can easily ignite from a spark, friction, impact, or exposure to moisture, such as phosphorus, sulfur, and certain types of plastics.

• Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides

Includes substances that can cause or intensify combustion, as well as substances that can explode when heated. Examples are hydrogen peroxide, chlorates, and peroxides.

• Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances

This class includes substances that can cause death, poisoning, or illness if swallowed, inhaled, or brought into contact with the skin, as well as biological materials that may pose a threat to health.

• Class 7: Radioactive materials

Includes all substances that emit ionizing radiation, such as uranium, plutonium, and spent nuclear fuel.

• Class 8: Corrosive substances

These are substances that can destroy living tissue or damage the materials they come into contact with, such as acids, alkalis, and certain types of batteries.

• Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

This class includes various substances and materials that pose a hazard during transportation but do not fall under the definitions of the other classes. Examples include asbestos, dry ice, lithium-ion batteries, substances harmful to the aquatic environment, etc.

Marking of dangerous goods

All dangerous goods must be properly marked to indicate the hazard class, UN number, and other important information. Marking usually consists of special signs and inscriptions on the packaging that must be clearly visible and legible.

There are a number of standards and regulatory requirements for the marking of dangerous goods. The key elements of marking are hazard placards, hazard class numbers, and the UN code.

Hazard placards are square-shaped borders divided into two parts. The upper half of the placard, usually red or black on a white background, contains a pictogram reflecting the nature of the cargo's hazard. The lower half of the placard, usually black on a white or yellow background, contains the hazard class number.

The hazard class number is a digit from 1 to 9 indicating the hazard class to which the cargo belongs. This number makes it possible to quickly determine the type of hazard the cargo presents.

The UN code (UN number) is a four-digit number that uniquely identifies a substance or a group of substances with similar properties. This number is indicated in the goods and transport waybill (TTN) and helps identify the cargo.

Marking requirements may differ depending on the country and the type of transport (sea, air, rail, road) used to carry the cargo. For example, some regional or national regulators may require additional marking or use specific hazard placards.

Completing a TTN for dangerous goods

A goods and transport waybill (TTN) for dangerous goods must contain a full description of the cargo, including its hazard class, name, quantity, and type of packaging. It must also contain information about the consignor, the consignee, and the carrier, as well as information about the carriage route.

The transportation of dangerous goods requires strict compliance with rules and requirements in order to ensure the safety of all participants in the process and to protect the environment.