What are the nine classes of transporting dangerous goods and how are they categorized?
Dangerous goods They are substances or elements with physical and chemical properties, and a term often used exclusively in the United States is "hazardous material (hazmat)." If not properly controlled, they pose a potential risk to human health and safety or to infrastructure. Dangerous goods are divided into categories through a classification system defined by the United Nations Model Regulations, where each substance is assigned and classified according to its level of hazard.
Here are the nine classes of dangerous goods, with each class determined according to the type of hazard it represents:
- Explosives
- Compressed Gases
- Flammable Liquids
- Flammable Solids
- Oxidizing Agents
- Toxic Substances
- Radioactive Materials
- Corrosive Substances
- Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
1-Explosives
Explosives – Substances with the ability to rapidly ignite or detonate during a chemical reaction. They are extremely hazardous because they contain particles designed to change their state very quickly, often transforming from solid to highly heated gas. There are six types of explosives, classified according to the way the product reacts upon initiation.
- Materials that pose a mass explosion hazard
- Materials that present hazards but not a mass explosion hazard
- Materials that present hazards but not a mass explosion hazard
- Materials that do not pose a significant hazard; only a minor risk in case of ignition during transport and minor secondary effects
- Very insensitive substances with a mass explosion hazard
- Very insensitive substances with no mass explosion hazard
Examples of explosives include fireworks, flares, and ignition devices.
2-Flammable Gases
Compressed gases, liquefied gases, refrigerated gases, mixtures of gases with other vapors, and gas-charged products. These types of gases are often flammable and may be toxic or corrosive. They are also hazardous because they can chemically react with oxygen.
They are divided into three divisions:
- Flammable Gases
- Non-flammable, Non-toxic Gases
- Toxic Gases
3- Flammable Liquids
A flammable liquid is defined as a liquid, a mixture of liquids, or liquids containing solids that require a much lower temperature than others to ignite. These temperatures are so low that there is a significant risk of the liquids igniting during transport. This makes flammable liquids extremely hazardous to handle and transport, as they are highly volatile and combustible. Flammable liquids are commonly used as fuel in internal combustion engines for cars and aircraft. This means they constitute the largest volume of dangerous goods transported by road. Many household products also contain flammable liquids.
Including products such as perfumes and acetone (which is used in nail polish remover).
4- Fmmable solids
Solids are classified as easily combustible products that are likely to contribute to fires during transport. Some goods are self-reactive, and some are prone to spontaneous heating.
There are 3 divisions of hazardous solids:
- Flammable solids: These burn more easily than ordinary combustible materials. The burning of flammable solids is fierce and rapid, and they are extremely hazardous because they can decompose explosively, burn intensely, or produce toxic gases.
- Spontaneously combustible: These substances can be solid or liquid. They ignite on their own upon contact with oxygen.
- Dangerous when wet: These goods react with water to produce a flammable gas that can ignite due to the heat of the reaction.
Examples of flammable solids include metal powders and sodium batteries.
5- Odizing
They are "oxidizing agents" and "organic peroxides." They are often highly reactive due to their high oxygen content. They readily react with other flammable or combustible materials, meaning fires can ignite and continue in confined spaces. These substances are incredibly difficult to extinguish, making them particularly hazardous.
- Oxidizing agents, also known as oxidizers, are substances that can cause or contribute to combustion as a result of chemical reactions. Oxidizers are not necessarily combustible on their own, but the oxygen they release can cause other materials to ignite.
- Organic peroxides: The molecular structure of these substances makes them highly flammable. This means they are prone to ignite on their own. They are designed to be reactive for industrial purposes, making them unstable and potentially explosive.
Examples include hydrogen peroxide and lead nitrate.
6- Toxic & Infectious
- 1: Toxic substances can cause death, as the name suggests. They can cause serious injury or harm to human health if they enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin. Some toxic substances can kill within minutes, while others may only cause harm if the dose is excessive.
- 2: Infectious substances are materials that contain microorganisms which cause infectious diseases in humans or animals, known as pathogens.
Examples include medical waste, clinical waste, and acids.
7- Radioactive
Radioactive materials contain unstable atoms that change their composition spontaneously in a random manner. They contain "radionuclides," which are atoms with an unstable nucleus. This unstable nucleus emits radioactive energy. When the atom changes, it emits ionizing radiation, which can cause chemical or biological changes. This type of radiation can be hazardous to the human body. Examples include smoke detectors and yellowcake.
8- Corrosives
Corrosive substances are highly reactive materials that produce chemical effects due to their reactions. Corrosive substances cause chemical reactions that lead to the deterioration of other materials when they come into contact. If these substances come into contact with living tissues, they can cause serious injuries.
Examples include batteries, chlorides, and flux.
9- Miscellaneous
This category includes substances that pose a hazard not covered in the other classes. Examples include dry ice, genetically modified organisms, engines, seatbelt tensioners, marine pollutants, asbestos, airbag units, and magnetized materials.
Dangerous Goods and Prohibited Goods:
Dangerous goods are classified according to their direct physical or chemical effects, including fire or explosion. Some dangerous goods differ because they are classified based solely on health effects.
Prohibited and banned materials will be detained at customs. You cannot import or export banned goods as they are prohibited for health, environmental, and security reasons. Examples include illegal drugs, rough diamonds, and offensive weapons. In contrast, you can ship dangerous goods, but you must comply with the United Nations Model Regulations for Dangerous Goods and obtain the necessary license.
How do you know if the goods you are shipping are dangerous?
The international transport of dangerous goods is regulated through conventions, directives, and European regulations. If you are involved in any part of the dangerous goods transport process (including handling and packing), you will need to classify them according to the United Nations classification system.
You can determine whether your shipments are classified as dangerous goods by referring to the United Nations list of dangerous goods, or by checking if they have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). You can also consult transport regulations set by authorities such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ADR (European road transport), the International Rail Transport of Dangerous Goods (RID), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). They can all provide guidance on how to handle and transport dangerous goods.
The United Nations Model Regulations for Dangerous Goods can also provide guidance on how to pack dangerous goods. When packing shipments, the packing group, the shipment name in capital letters, hazard class markings, UN identification number, UN certification mark, and orientation label (for liquids) must be considered. Packages must include either a Dangerous Goods Note or Dangerous Goods Declaration, be able to withstand exposure to open weather, and all labels must be displayed on a contrasting background. The Dangerous Goods Note is usually completed by the shipper with qualified personnel within the company. These notes provide the receiving authority with accurate information about the goods so they can be handled safely and legally.
Dangerous Goods Note and Declaration for Dangerous Goods
The shipper is responsible for the safe transport of dangerous goods to their destination. All goods must be properly declared, packaged, and labeled, along with the correct documentation for the country of origin, transit, and destination. Dangerous goods shipments must include either a Dangerous Goods Note (DGN) or a Dangerous Goods Declaration (for air transport) fully completed. This will include information about the nature and quantity of the goods and other handling details.
What does a Dangerous Goods Note (DGN) do?
The Dangerous Goods Note (DGN) is a transport document that provides details about the contents of a shipment to carriers, receiving authorities, and freight agents. It is an essential part of dangerous goods shipping as it explains how to handle and pack the goods safely. The same standard document can be completed for all dangerous goods shipments, even if they are destined for different ports or Inland Container Depots (ICDs). The Dangerous Goods Note is used when transporting goods by any mode of transport except air. For air transport, the IATA Dangerous Goods Declaration is used instead.
It is extremely important to use a Dangerous Goods Note (DGN), as the receiving authority needs complete and accurate information about the dangerous goods in order to handle them safely and legally. Using a DGN ensures that everyone who encounters your goods has sufficient information at every stage of their movement. Ignoring the legislation is a criminal offense, but more importantly, improper handling of dangerous goods can cause severe and catastrophic damage to human health and infrastructure.
What is the legislation regarding dangerous goods?
The Petroleum Act of 1879 was the first legislation to address the need for control over dangerous goods. The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 introduced proposals for a set of regulations dealing with issues such as the classification, packaging, and labeling of hazardous materials. Many regulations and legislations have been repealed and replaced over the years, but it is important to understand the most current laws.
Other important legislation includes the following:
- Transport of dangerous goods by road under ADR: This applies to all road transport journeys. These regulations are enforced by several different authorities, including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). The Department for Transport (DfT) also works alongside the police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to manage these rules.
- Transport of dangerous goods by rail under RID: This applies to all rail transport journeys. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), along with the HSE, ONR, and DfT, are responsible for enforcing the regulations related to rail transport.
- IMDG – Transport of dangerous goods by sea: This includes both domestic and international voyages. Nationally, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is responsible for any matters related to compliance for goods transported by sea.
- IATA – Transport of dangerous goods by air: This includes all air shipments, both domestic and international. Compliance for goods presented to airlines for air transport is monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
- Tunnel Regulations: For road and rail transport. These are now incorporated into ADR and RID.
Import and Export Licenses:
Customs clearance procedures are supported by the customs duty office. This system is designed to prevent the entry of illegal and prohibited goods into the country, as well as to determine the amount of duties payable when importing taxable foods under local law. Due to these regulations, you are required to obtain an import or export license when transporting dangerous goods. The intended use of the class and the destination you are exporting to or importing from determine the licensing requirements. Different licenses apply depending on the nature of the dangerous goods.
It can be difficult to determine whether the goods you are exporting require a license. You can check online through the UK Strategic Export Control lists, which include all items that require a license. You can submit your license application electronically via the system. SPIRE Online. When submitting your application, you will need the technical specifications and end-user declarations for your goods.
Types of Licenses:
There is a variety of different types of licenses that you can use to export your goods. For example:
- Customs clearance procedures are supported by the customs duty office. This system is designed to prevent the entry of illegal and prohibited materials into the country, as well as to determine the amount of duties payable when importing taxable foods under local law. Due to these regulations, an import or export license is required when transporting dangerous goods. The intended use of the class and the destination from which you are exporting or importing determine the licensing requirements. Different licenses apply depending on the nature of the dangerous goods.
- Standard Individual Export Licenses (SIELs): If your goods, technology, software, destination, or circumstances are not covered under an OGEL, you will need to apply for a Standard Individual Export License (SIEL).
- Open Individual Export Licenses (OIELs): This type of license is designed to cover long-term contracts, projects, and repeat business.
This concludes our article. You will be provided with additional related articles on the shipping and transportation of dangerous goods through the company. BIS Thank you for following along.
