10.1 General
10.1.1 The advice of this section applies to CTUs in which dangerous goods are
packed. It should be followed in addition to the advice given elsewhere in this
Code.
10.1.2 International (and often national) transport of dangerous goods may be subject
to several dangerous goods transport regulations, depending on the origin, final
destination and the modes of transport used.
10.1.3 For intermodal transport involving different modes, the rules and regulations
applicable depend upon whether it is an international, national or regional move
(e.g. transport within a political or economic union or trading zone).
10.1.4 Most national and international regulations are based on the United Nations
Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations (Orange
Book). However, international (ADR, IMDG, …) and national rules (CFR49, …) may
differ from the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
10.1.5 Transport of dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterways is subject to
various regulations and agreements. Examples are:
- European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of
Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR);
-
European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of
Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN);
-
Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous
Goods by Rail (RID); and
-
Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations of the United
States.
10.1.6 For international maritime transport, the provisions of the International
Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code apply. The IMDG Code provides detailed
provisions on all aspects of the transport of packaged dangerous goods by sea.
10.1.7 Dangerous goods are classified into nine hazard classes. Some of these are
subdivided into divisions. All details are set forth in the applicable dangerous
goods regulations as mentioned above. The consignor is responsible for ensuring that
packages containing dangerous goods are authorized and bear the appropriate labels
and marks.
10.2 Before packing
10.2.1 The IMDG Code and other international and national regulations require that
the consignor provides transport information on each dangerous substance, material
or article. This information should include at least the following basic items:
- The UN number;
-
The proper shipping name (including the technical name, as
applicable);
-
The class and/or division (and the compatibility group letter for
goods of class 1);
-
Subsidiary risks when assigned;
-
The packing group when assigned;
-
The total quantity of dangerous goods (by volume or mass, and
for explosives the net explosive content); and
-
The number and kind of packages.
Other items of information may be required, depending on the mode
of transport and the classification of the goods (e.g., flashpoint for
transport by sea). The various items of information required under each
regulation and applicable during intermodal transport operations should be
provided so that appropriate documentation may be prepared for each
shipment.
10.2.2 The consignor is also responsible for ensuring that dangerous goods are
classified, packaged, packed and marked in accordance with the applicable
regulations. A declaration by the consignor that this has been carried out is
normally required. Such a declaration may be included with the required transport
information.
10.2.3 The shipper is responsible for ensuring that the goods to be transported are
authorized for transport for the applicable modes to be used for the transport
operation. For example, self-reacting substances and organic peroxides requiring
temperature control are not authorized for transport by rail under the RID regime.
Certain types of dangerous goods are not authorized to be transported on board
passenger ships and therefore the requirements of the IMDG Code should be carefully
studied.
10.2.4 The carrier is responsible for ensuring that dangerous goods declared by the
shipper are transported in accordance with applicable international and national
regulations.
10.2.5 Current versions of all applicable regulations should be easily accessible and
referred to during packing to ensure compliance.
10.2.6 Dangerous goods should only be handled, packed and secured by trained
personnel. Supervision is required by a responsible person who is familiar with the
legal provisions, the risks involved and the measures that should be taken in an
emergency.
10.2.7 Suitable measures to prevent incidents such as fires should be taken,
including the prohibition of smoking in the vicinity of dangerous goods.
10.2.8 Packages of dangerous goods need to be examined by the packer and any found to
be damaged, leaking or sifting should not be packed into the CTU. Packages showing
evidence of staining, etc., should not be packed without first determining that it
is safe and acceptable to do so. Water, snow, ice or other matter adhering to
packages should be removed before packing. Substances that have accumulated on drum
heads should initially be treated with caution in case they are the result of
leakage or sifting of contents. If pallets have been contaminated by spilt dangerous
goods, they should be destroyed by appropriate disposal methods to prevent use at a
later date.
10.2.9 If dangerous goods are palletized or otherwise unitized, they should be packed
so as to be regularly shaped, with approximately vertical sides and level at the
top. They should be secured in a manner unlikely to damage the individual packages
comprising the unit load. The materials used to bond a unit load together should be
compatible with the substances unitized and retain their efficiency when exposed to
moisture, extremes of temperature and sunlight.
10.2.10 The packing, labelling, marking and method of securing of dangerous goods in
a CTU in compliance with applicable international and national regulations should be
planned before packing is commenced.
10.3 Packing
10.3.1 Special care should be taken during handling to avoid damage to packages.
However, if a package containing dangerous goods is damaged during handling so that
the contents leak out, the immediate area should be evacuated and personnel
immediately moved to a safe place until the hazard potential can be assessed. The
damaged package should not be shipped. It should be moved to a safe place in
accordance with instructions given by a responsible person who is familiar with the
risks involved and knows the measures that should be taken in an emergency in
conformance with national regulations.
10.3.2 CTUs should be packed so that incompatible dangerous or other goods are
segregated in accordance with the rules of all modes of transport. In some instances
even goods of the same class are incompatible with each other and should not be
packed in the same unit, e.g., acids and alkalis of class 8. The requirements of the
IMDG Code concerning the segregation of dangerous goods inside CTUs are usually more
stringent than those for road and rail transport. Whenever an intermodal transport
operation does not include international transport by sea, compliance with national
relevant regulations and the respective inland transport regulations may be
sufficient. However, if there is any possibility that a part of the transport
operation will be international by sea, the segregation requirements of the IMDG
Code generally apply.
10.3.3 Some dangerous goods should be segregated from foodstuffs by a certain
distance within the CTU or are even prohibited in the same unit. More advice is to
be found in the applicable dangerous goods regulations.
10.3.4 When dangerous goods are being handled, the consumption of food and drink
should be prohibited.
10.3.5 Packages should be handled and packed in accordance with their markings (if
any). Further details regarding markings are provided in annex 7, appendix 1.
10.3.6 Drums containing dangerous goods should always be stowed in an upright
position unless otherwise authorized by the competent authority.
10.3.7 Stacking heights, stacking load tests and stacking limitations are set forth
in applicable dangerous goods regulations that should be strictly followed.
10.3.8 Dangerous goods consignments which form only part of the load of a CTU should,
whenever possible, be packed adjacent to the doors with markings and labels visible.
Particular attention is drawn to annex 7, subsection 3.2.7 concerning the securing of cargo
at the doors of a unit.