Mishandling dangerous goods in international shipping during production, transportation, loading, unloading, and storage can lead to severe consequences due to their special properties.
Dangerous chemicals fall into nine classes. Here are the requirements for handling and transporting class 1-9 hazardous materials.
Classification of DG Goods Transport Vehicles
- Class 1: Explosives transport vehicles for explosives (explosives, detonators, fireworks).
- Class 2: Flammable gas van transport vehicles for liquefied gas, oxygen, acetylene, or gas cylinder transport vehicles for liquefied gas, oxygen, acetylene, etc.
- Class 3: Flammable liquid van transport vehicles for alcohol, methanol, etc.
- Class 4: Flammable solid van transport vehicles.
- Class 5: Oxidizing substance van transport vehicles.
- Class 6: Toxic and infectious substance van transport vehicles.
- Class 7: Radioactive substance van transport vehicles.
- Class 8: Corrosive substance van transport vehicles for sulfuric acid, battery fluid, etc.
- Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous goods van transport vehicles for chromium-containing waste, copper-containing waste, etc.
Loading and Unloading Requirements
1. Ensure a unified command at the operation site with clear and fixed command signals to prevent accidents due to chaotic operations. Personnel handling loading, unloading, moving, and equipment operators must strictly observe labor discipline and obey commands. Non-handling personnel should stay away from the operation site.
2. Develop specific safety technical operating procedures for various loading and unloading equipment and assign trained personnel to operate them to prevent accidents.
3. Prepare in advance and carefully inspect loading, unloading, and handling tools and equipment. Clean substances off tools after work to prevent chemical reactions from conflicting substances. Clean tools used for peroxide items before reuse.
4. Handle dangerous goods gently to prevent impact, friction, vibration, or dropping. Move damaged packaging that can be repaired to a safe place. Do not use tools that may spark during repair.
5. Promptly clean up items scattered on the ground. Dispose of waste without value using suitable physical or chemical methods to ensure safety.
6. Do not load or unload substances with mutually conflicting properties simultaneously. Insulate or protect heat- and moisture-sensitive substances during loading and unloading.
Personnel Safety Requirements
1. Operators should not wear shoes with nails. Wear appropriate protective equipment according to different hazard characteristics. Pay special attention to toxic and corrosive substances; breathe fresh air after a period of operation to avoid poisoning accidents.
2. After loading and unloading operations, promptly wash hands, and face, rinse mouth, and shower. Do not eat or smoke during breaks, and maintain site ventilation to prevent skin and mucous membrane contamination.
3. Clean or disinfect protective equipment after operation to ensure personal safety. Assign dedicated personnel to store and manage various protective equipment.
4. Keep emergency supplies such as clean water, soda water, and dilute vinegar at the loading and unloading site. Take appropriate measures immediately if loading and unloading personnel experience dizziness, headache, etc., due to exposure.
Transport Vehicle Safety Precautions
Compressed and Liquefied Gases - Gas Cylinder Transport Vehicles
- Storage cylinders for compressed and liquefied gases are pressure vessels. Use lifting frames or forklifts to prevent impacts, dragging, and falling during loading and unloading operations. Avoid rolling down slopes.
- Before moving, check cylinder valves for gas leaks. Do not direct cylinder valves towards personnel to prevent safety helmet dislodgement.
- When handling cylinders containing toxic gases, wear respiratory protective equipment. Exercise caution with cylinders containing highly toxic gases to prevent inhalation.
- When handling oxygen cylinders, ensure work clothes and handling tools are free from oil contamination.
- Strictly prohibit contact of flammable gases with ignition sources. Conduct operations during the morning and evening hours in hot seasons.
Flammable Liquids
Flammable liquids have low flash points, rapid vaporization, and high vapor pressures. When their concentration in the air reaches a certain range, flames, sparks, or hot surfaces can cause ignition or vapor explosions. Therefore, during loading and unloading operations:
- Ensure ventilation before indoor operations.
- Avoid using black metal tools during handling.
- Equip handling machinery with spark-proof devices.
- Handle with care to prevent rolling, friction, or dragging.
- Schedule summer transport during cooler hours and implement anti-slip measures during rainy or snowy conditions.
- Tanker trucks must be equipped with grounding chains.
Flammable Solids
Flammable solids have low ignition points and are sensitive to heat, impact, and friction. They can easily ignite from external heat sources, burn rapidly, and emit toxic gases. During loading and unloading:
- Prohibit personnel from wearing shoes with iron nails.
- Avoid co-loading with oxidizing agents or acidic substances.
- Immediately clean up scattered powders on the ground or inside the truck.
- Securely fasten bundles to prevent shaking.
Water-Reactive Substances
These substances undergo intense chemical reactions when in contact with water, releasing large amounts of toxic gases and heat. During handling and transport:
- Ensure waterproofing and moisture protection; prohibit operations in rain or snow without rainproof facilities.
- Wipe off sweat promptly; avoid direct contact with water-reactive substances.
- Handle with care to prevent rolling, impact, friction, or tipping.
- Before handling calcium carbide drums, release acetylene gas from the drum in advance.
- Use two-person lifting and strictly prohibit barrel rolling, dropping, impacting, or rubbing to prevent sparking.
- Personnel must stand beside the drum to avoid body contact with the drum face or bottom to prevent explosion injuries.
- Do not mix and transport with other categories of hazardous chemicals.
Oxidizers
During transport, separate oxidizers from acids, organic materials, self-igniting, flammable, or moisture-sensitive substances. Generally, do not mix oxidizers with peroxides.
Toxic and Corrosive Substances
Especially with highly toxic substances, even small amounts entering the body or contacting the skin can cause local irritation or poisoning. Corrosive substances have strong corrosive properties, causing damage to the human body, animals, plants, fiber products, and metals, and may even cause combustion.
At Airsupply, we provide expertise and support to ensure the safe handling and transportation of dangerous goods, adhering to these rigorous standards and procedures.
