If you are transporting goods you must check to see whether they are dangerous goods. Each country has its own set rules and regulations of what to note when transporting these specific types of goods, and it's advised that you and your drivers or captains know these well before starting the transport process.
To get you started here is a list of things to check before transporting dangerous goods:
1. Permits
The first thing you need to do is ensure that you have all the requisite permits. To transport the dangerous goods and meet the driver requirements, drivers must have an ADR training certificate. However, if they are transporting dangerous goods under the threshold limit, they may not need this certificate.
2. Warning Labels
Different types of dangerous goods may have different warning labels. So, you need to check that everything is labelled according to the correct hazard classification.
3. Correct Packaging or Container
It is essential that any packaging or container that you use has met the country specific requirements of the countries they are going to and through in the transport process. Additionally, you must be able to show that you have met these requirements. You can do so with an approval mark, which will be issued by a certified inspection body.
4. Approved Inspection Body
Various inspection bodies can issue you an approval mark. These are typically set out in the country specific requirements. These include the country specific "Inspection Body", a body that can be, for example, recognised by the national Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority and the periodic inspection institutes, as well as other bodies.
5. Vehicle Check
It's not enough to simply check the goods and their packaging. You also want to check on the mode of transport. Some country specific requirements deals with transport by road, air, rail and sea.
Before transporting dangerous goods, you need to first check that you are using a suitable, destination country approved vehicle. Second, you need to conduct an inspection before dispatch to ensure that the vehicle is in good working order.
If the vehicle carries large quantities of dangerous goods, it sometimes needs to have local approval from the destination country's inspection authorities, and must go through an annual inspection from that country's authority as well.
6. Security Measures
It is also essential that you comply with all the requisite security measures. These can vary depending on the type and quantity of goods being transported. But, it is crucial that all parties adhere to safety and security regulations to prevent the theft or misuse of dangerous goods.
Security measures can include:
- Leaving the goods in the hands of an identified person only
- Preventing access to the area containing the dangerous goods when in temporary storage
- Providing security training to all staff so that they can identify and mitigate risks
7. Reporting Procedure In Case Of Accident
Accidents happen. If one occurs while transporting dangerous goods, the driver or operator must report it to the appropriate authority immediately. This is critical as any leakages of substances can be very dangerous.
Having a mobile reporting procedure in place ensures that you can act quickly should an incident occur.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to transporting, safety is not the place to cut corners. It’s crucial to adhere to all destination country regulations to ensure the safe transport of dangerous goods.
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