There could be a hazardous material incident. Maybe a truck lost its brakes. The truck blocked the lanes. And the driver point so you can see back placard. What do you look for? There are certain colors that indicate danger. You need to identify them right away. It’s all about transporting hazardous materials. That goes beyond just filling out paperwork. Before a leak happen, you better know what is in there.
Risks are grouped in nine categories by the system. Corrosives go into one category, explosives into another. These nine categories all detail way a substance will behave under stress. Class 1 is all about blast and projection. Projectiles and blasts defines this class.
How to Ship Dangerous Materials Safely
Class 3 is composed of flammable liquids, which account for most accidents on road. Nine out of every ten hazmat incidents is caused by something classified as Class 3. Why? Large amounts of fuel (gasoline, diesel), paint, solvents, and other materials are transported each day. And big volumes mean more chances of an incident occur.
It’s also about how bad it would of been if spilled. That’s where packing groups come into play. There are three levels of packing group. The lower the number in the packing group, the more dangerous the material is. Packing Group I is the most hazardous. Packaging needs to be super tight since the contents are so nasty. Packing Group III is the least hazardous and thus has more lenient packaging. If you spill water based paint, it is a nuisance. If you spill concentrated acid, that’s a different story. The packaging should reflect the hazard. If it’s packing group I material, don’t scrimp on your seals. The cost of failure is too great.
Then there are some separation rules that shock shippers. Just because you’ve got something sealed up doesn’t mean it won’t react. Even if the container isn’t opened, two chemicals might interact. Look at the reference grid and you’ll see which ones shouldn’t be together. Never mix flammable solids with oxidizers. The oxidizer provide the oxygen needed to make a fire burn. The flammable fuels the fire. Mix those two in the same cargo compartment and they pose a threat even without any outside spark. Following segregation rules helps avoid such deadly combinations. It’s about more than simply keeping things organized. Breaking the chemical barrier mean taking physical risks.
These are first responder aids. There is no time to read manuals. First responders scan the placard looking for the UN number. This number sends them to an emergency response guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook. For example, guide 127 might say isolate the area. Guide 115 could mean there is a leak of a flammable gas. The guide links the danger to the proper course of action and turns panic into a plan.
There are consequences for getting it wrong. Getting it wrong means fines. The fines can be more than the company’s operating budget. Not just fines but safety is an issue. Getting it right means keeping everyone alive: you, the public and your crew.
You must follow rules for segregation, proper packing groups, and placarding. That isn’t bureaucratic BS. It saves lives. Every one of those nine classes describes a possible scenario. Don’t let that scenario become real. Make sure there is accurate documentation and labeling. Separate incompatible materials. How do you safely transport dangerous goods? You make sure to get it right.
