Principles
Characteristics and properties
2 The important physical characteristics and
chemical properties of dangerous and hazardous substances, sufficient to give a
basic understanding of the intrinsic hazards and risks involved.
Classification of dangerous and hazardous substances and materials
possessing chemical hazards
3 IMO dangerous goods classes 1 to 9 and the
hazards associated with each class.
Health hazards
4 Dangers from skin contact, inhalation, ingestion
and radiation.
Conventions, regulations and recommendations
5 General familiarization with the relevant
requirements of chapters II-2 and VII of the 1974 SOLAS Convention and of Annex III of MARPOL 73/78, including its implementation through the
IMDG Code.
Use of and familiarization with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods
(IMDG) Code
6 General knowledge of the requirements of the
IMDG Code concerning declaration, documentation, packing, labelling and
placarding; freight container and vehicle packing; portable tanks, tank
containers and road tank vehicles, and other transport units used for dangerous
substances.
7 Knowledge of identification, marking and
labelling for stowage, securing, separation and segregation in different ship
types mentioned in the IMDG Code.
8 Safety of personnel, including safety equipment,
measuring instruments, their use and practical application and the
interpretation of results.
Shipboard
Application
Class 1 – Explosives
9 The six hazard divisions and 13 compatibility
groups; packagings and magazines used for carriage of explosives; structural
serviceability of freight containers and vehicles; stowage provisions,
including specific arrangements for on-deck and under-deck stowage; segregation
from dangerous goods of other classes within class 1 and from non-dangerous
goods; transport and stowage on passenger ships; suitability of cargo spaces;
security precautions; precautions to be taken during loading and unloading.
Class 2 – Gases (compressed, liquefied, or dissolved under pressure),
flammable, non-flammable, non-toxic and toxic
10 Types of pressure vessels and portable tanks,
including relief and closing devices used; stowage categories; general stowage
precautions, including those for flammable and poisonous gases and gases which
are marine pollutants.
Class 3 – Flammable liquids
11 Packagings, tank containers, portable tanks and
road tank vehicles; stowage categories, including the specific requirements for
plastics receptacles; general stowage precautions, including those for marine
pollutants; segregation requirements; precautions to be taken when carrying
flammable liquids at elevated temperatures.
Class 4.1 – Flammable solids
Class 4.2 – Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Class 4.3 – Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable
gases
12 Types of packagings; carriage and stowage under
controlled temperatures to prevent decomposition and possible explosion;
stowage categories; general stowage precautions,including those applicable to
self-reactive and related substances, desensitized explosives and marine
pollutants; segregation requirements to prevent heating and ignition, the
emission of poisonous or flammable gases and the formation of explosive
mixtures.
Class 5.1 – Oxidizing substances
Class 5.2 – Organic peroxides
13 Types of packagings; carriage and stowage under
controlled temperatures to prevent decomposition and possible explosion;
stowage categories; general stowage precautions, including those applicable to
marine pollutants; segregation requirements to ensure separation from
combustible material, from acids and heat sources to prevent fire, explosion
and the formation of toxic gases; precautions to minimize friction and impact
which can initiate decomposition.
Class 6.1 – Toxic substances
Class 6.2 – Infectious substances
14 Types of packagings; stowage categories;
general stowage precautions, including those applicable to toxic, flammable
liquids and marine pollutants; segregation requirements, especially considering
that the characteristic common to these substances is their ability to cause
death or serious injury to human health; decontamination measures in the event
of spillage.
Class 7 – Radioactive material
15 Types of packagings; transport index in
relation to stowage and segregation; stowage and segregation from persons,
undeveloped photographic film and plates and foodstuffs; stowage categories;
general stowage requirements; segregation requirements and separation
distances; segregation from other dangerous goods.
Class 8 – Corrosive substances
16 Types of packagings; stowage categories;
general stowage precautions, including those applicable to corrosive, flammable
liquids and marine pollutants; segregation requirements, especially considering
that the characteristic common to these substances is their ability to cause
severe damage to living tissue.
Class 9 – Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
17 Examples of hazards, including marine
pollution.
Safety precautions and emergency procedures
18 Electrical safety in cargo spaces; precautions
to be taken for entry into enclosed spaces that may contain oxygen-depleted,
poisonous or flammable atmospheres; the possible effects of spillage or fire in
shipments of substances of each class; consideration of events on deck or below
deck; use of the IMO Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous
Goods; emergency plans and procedures to be followed in case of incidents
involving dangerous substances.
Medical first aid
19 The IMO Medical First Aid Guide for Use in
Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG) and its use and application in
association with other guides and medical advice by radio.