RESOURCES
DANGEROUS GOODS
Dangerous goods are articles or substances that present an immediate and unreasonable risk, with high level of danger, by means of physical and or chemical effects to the area around them that affect people, property and the environment, including “EMPTY”, uncleaned receptacles, packages and vessels.
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Incorrect or carless handling of Dangerous Goods can lead to exposure with varied outcomes when accidently inhaled, absorbed, ingested or injected:
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Explosives and Flammables, aided by Oxidizers, can cause Traumatic Incidents, explosions, burns, smoke inhalation, loss of limb and life.
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Toxics, Radioactives, elevated temperature, temperature sensitive and Irritants can cause inflammation, irritation of skin, eyes and respiratory tract, illness, disease, injury and lead to long term health implications such as chronic illness, cancer and death.
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Corrosives have the power to cause irreversible damage to, or destroy surfaces, including metal and living tissues by means of chemical reaction which can produce a sub risk of toxic and or flammable gasses. ​
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Environmentally Hazardous Substances will cause serious harm to the environment, aquatic ecosystems and are capable of causing harm to human health if a spill occurs. ​
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Dangerous goods can be transported and handled safely if all transport, storage and handling regulations are adhered to and everyone involved in the chain of responsibility involving dangerous goods is trained and competent in their roll/duties including:​
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Prime Contractor, Owner/Driver, Consignor, Picker/Packer, Loader​​​​​​​​​
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THE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS REQUIRES
Know and Understand the ADG Code 7.9 and your duties outlined in the Regulations
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Placarding
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Transport documentation and amendments
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Packing groups
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Transporting DG with special provisions ​​
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Incompatibilities and Segregation​
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Stowage and Load Restraint
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Temperature and ventilation requirements
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Bulk Transfer
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Classes
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Risk and Sub Risks
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Marking and Labeling
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PPE and Safety Equipment
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Emergency Response ​
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TERP
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Safety standards for vehicles and equipment
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General Precautions
DO YOU NEED A LICENSE
A Dangerous Goods License is required if transporting BULK Dangerous goods
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Individual units or undivided quantities
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Exceeds 500L​
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Weigh more than 500kg
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EXCEPTIONS
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The goods are transported in an intermediate bulk container (IBC)
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The IBC is not filled or emptied on the vehicle
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The total capacity of IBCs containing dangerous goods on the vehicle is not more than 3,000 L
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The goods are mineral ores and concentrates classified as UN3077- Environmentally Hazardous Substances Solid, N.O.S.
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The goods are being transported on a mine site
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The goods are in packages
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Transport of Packaged Goods still requires training!!!
Documentation, placarding, segregation, load restraint, temperature control still apply...
Are you adequately trained?
DANGEROUS GOODS LEGISLATION
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Workers must take Reasonable care for their own health and safety, and by direct acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others, by cooperating with the following Legislation regarding Dangerous Goods and Safety in the Workplace.
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Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7.9
Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of (Non-Explosives) Regulations 2007
These regulations must be adhered to, in order to improve safety and industry compliance.
Drivers’ general duties and precautions in relation to
Dangerous Goods Transport
Determinations
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Dangerous Goods
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Packaging
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Vehicles, Routes, Areas, Times
Regulations
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Regulation 129: Stowage and Load Restraint
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Regulation 131: Segregation
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Regulation 148: Bulk Transfer, Filling ratio, Ullage for Tank Vehicles
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Regulation 154: Transport Documentation
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Regulation 160: Emergency Information and TERP
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Regulation 166: Duty of Driver in immobilised or stopped vehicles
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Regulation 169: Driving
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Regulation 170: Parking
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Regulation 171: Control of Ignition Sources
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Regulation 172: Unloading in Public
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Regulation 173: Detaching a Trailer
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Regulation 174: Road Tanker with a Burner
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Regulation 175: Emergencies Generally
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DANGEROUS GOODS CLASSES​​
Class 1 - Explosive Materials
“Energetic” Materials that rapidly catch fire or detonate due to chemical reactions, thermal and mechanical shock. They produce gases at temperatures, pressures and speed that cause catastrophic damage.
Create hazardous amounts of heat, light, sound, gas, smoke and force.
Segregated into Six different hazards with 13 compatibility groups.
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COVERED BY THE AEC AUSTRALIAN EXPLOSIVES CODE
•Division – 1.1
Mass explosion hazard
Nitroglycerine- TNT, C4, Dynamite,, Mercury Fulminate, AN, ANFO (DGSC)
•Division 1.2
Projection and shrapnel hazard but not a mass explosion hazard
Detonating fuses, Hand Grenades, Large Fireworks, Bullets
•Division 1.3
Fire Hazard and either a MINOR shrapnel hazard or a MINOR projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard
Display Fireworks, Smoke Grenades, Flares
•Division 1.4
NO significant hazard, difficult to ignite
Blasting Caps, Det Cord Consumer Fireworks, Party Poppers, Sparklers, Ammo
•Division 1.5
Very Insensitive substances which have a MASS explosion hazard
Blasting agents
•Division 1.6
Extremely Insensitive articles with no mass explosion hazard
Plastic Explosives​
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Compatability Groups A B C D E F G H J K L N
Class 2 - Gases
It covers compressed gases, liquefied gases, dissolved gases, refrigerated liquefied gases, mixtures of gases and aerosol dispensers/articles containing gas.
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2.1: Flammable Gas
- Flammable gases ignite on contact with an ignition source at <13% vapour
- in the air (the flammable range), Heavier gasses collect in low lying areas and
- this concentration can lead to fire and potential explosion.
- Gasses are Compressed or Liquified for transport and can be explosive
E.G - Acetylene, Butane, Isobutane, Methane, LPG, Propane, Aerosols
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2.2: Non Flammable, Non Toxic and Oxidising Gasses
- These gasses do not take part in the combustion process,
but they do contribute oxygen and accelerate combustion.
- Some cause asphyxiation/suffocation and hypoxia, by displacing oxygen.
- Gasses are Compressed or Liquified for transport and can be explosive.
- Temperature Warning- Freeze Burns
E.G - Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Compressed Air, Helium, Argon, Oxygen, Nitrous Oxide
2.3: Toxic Gas
- Toxic gasses cause Death or Injury on Inhalation and have multiple sub risks.
- 2.3 is never to be used as a Sub Risk, Toxic is always the primary Hazard.
- Toxic gasses can be heavier than air and have special provisions for
transport safety, they are not to be stored in Aerosols and Cylinders are
not to be fitted with a safety pressure relief valve.
E.G - Anhydrous Ammonia, Methyl Bromide, Carbon Monoxide, Chlorine Gas
Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
Flammable Liquids that are volatile and combustible, give off flammable gasses which ignite on contact with an ignition source at <13% vapour in the air (the flammable range), these gasses collect in low lying areas and this concentration can lead to asphyxiation, fire and potential explosion.
Flash Point- the temperature at which a liquid gives off flammable mixture in Air
Flammable < 37.8c Petrol -38c
Combustible > 37.8 c Methanol 11c
Petrol, Methanol, Acetone, Paint, Kerosene, Methylated Spirits
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Combustible Liquids
Any liquid, other than a flammable liquid, that has a flash point.
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C1 – Flash Point >60.5c
C2- Flash Point > 93c
UN1202 DIESEL, has a flashpoint of >63.5c
Diesel is not subject to the ADG Code, due to SP AU02
can be left unsupervised ​​​​
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Class 4 - Flammable Solids
4.1 Flammable Solids
- Flammable solids are thermally unstable and readily combustible solids, which
may cause or contribute to fire due to friction under “transport conditions”
or contact with an ignition source.
- Polymerizing substances that release vapour, causing vapour pressure
and flashpoint, Desensitised “watered down” explosives.
- Ammonium Picrate – Nitroglycerin mixture – Urea Nitrate
E.G - NAPTHELENE, PHOSPHOROUS, HEXAMINE, METALIC ALUMINIUM, SILPHER
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4.2 Spontaneously Combustible Solids
- Self-reactive substances which are liable to undergo
a strongly exothermic reaction.
- “Pyrophoric” materials ignite within 5 minutes after contact with air
no ignition source required – ie Phosphorus, White, Yellow, Red, Black
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Self-heating, create their own heat and generally have a high Oil Content
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Solid desensitized explosives may explode if not diluted sufficiently.
E.G - Oil rags, PHOSPHORUS, CARBON, COTTON SEED/WASTE, HAY, PEAT, METAL POWDERS
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4.3 Dangerous When Wet
- Material that is spontaneously flammable when in contact with water
hydrolysis that gives off Flammable or Toxic gas during a reaction.
- These substances are more dangerous in powder form over bulk/solid
due to increased surface area as this form creates a more violent reaction.
- Alkali Metals are stored in tightly sealed, air tight containers
E.G - lithium batter cell or stored in Kerosene and Mineral Oils to prevent chemical reaction with air.
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Requires Dry Chemical or Dry Powder fire extinguishers.
Water and Carbon Dioxide extinguishers are ineffective, does not extinguish it.
E.G - LITHIUM, ZINK, ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE, SODIUM, CALCIUM CARBIDE AMMONIUM NITRATE, POTASSIUM PERMANGANTE, CALCIUM HYPOCHLORIDE
Class 5 - Oxidising Agents and Organic Peroxides
5.1 Oxidising Agent
Yields Oxygen when subject to heat, which cause and contribute to combustion
of other material fires, Noncombustible but react with other flammable or
combustible materials to generate heat and lead to a fire
Oxidizing agents supply oxygen to increase heat and length of fire.
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5.2 Organic Peroxides​
These substances are Organic Materials containing reactive peroxides that can be Thermally Unstable requiring refrigeration, sensitive to shock, impact and friction under transport conditions, combustible and strong oxidizing agents, subject to explosive decomposition, release flammable vapours are highly corrosive and just scary in general if handled incorrectly.
E.G - ACETONE PEROXIDE, DIBENXOYL PEROXIDE, METHYL ETHYL KETONE PEROXIDE
P1- No temperature Control Required
P2- Requires Temperature Control
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Class 6 - Toxic and Infectious Substances
Class 6.1 Toxic - can cause serious injury and death if swallowed, inhaled or brought into contact with the skin, inhaled.
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Everything is toxic, it’s the dosage that will Kill you
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PG I: Very severe toxicity hazard
PG II: Serious toxicity hazard
PG III: Low toxicity hazard – still toxic!
E.G - CHLOROFORM, TEAR GAS, ARSENIC, CYANIDE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, AMMONIA, LEAD
Class 7 - Radioactive Materials
Regulated by ARSPANSA
Radiation Safety (Transport of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 2002
Code for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2019)
Radioactive Materials contain Radionuclides and emits unstable Energy
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Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation
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Often dangerous properties:
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explosive, flammable, combustible, toxic & corrosive
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RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAMME
Stringent transport requirements
SEGREGATION
-From Operational Personnel and the Public
-From other Dangerous Goods
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PACKAGING
IAEA – Packaging, Labelling, signage Requirements
Limited quantities or exclusive use provisions
Emergency Response
Monitoring
Competent Authority approval
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COMMON CARRIERS & GENERAL TRANSPORT
TI must not be over 10 mSv
Ti total sum of 50 mSv
- Exceptions for exclusive use
Class 8 - Corrosive Materials
Are liquid and solid substances (usually Acids or Bases), that, by way of chemical reaction, cause the degradation and destruction of living tissues, steel, aluminum, stone and other materials on contact and produce vapors that are corrosive, flammable and toxic.
In the case of a leak
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Damage to handlers and other freight packed along side
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They possess other properties such as flammability, oxidation, Marine Pollutant and can have properties that causes irritation and degradation to skin, eyes and airways.
Segregation​
Class 8 are made up of ACIDS and BASES, these are highly reactive and can react violently with each other depending on the strength and chemical composition.
They require segregation within the class
Segregation can be based on the PH LEVEL: ACIDS -4 & BASES +10
Look at the SDS to determine the compatibility, storage and transport requirements as well as ADG Code 9.2.2
Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
Are liquid and solid substances (usually Acids or Bases), that, by way of chemical reaction, cause the degradation and destruction of living tissues, steel, aluminum, stone and other materials on contact and produce vapors that are corrosive, flammable and toxic.
In the case of a leak
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Damage to handlers and other freight packed along side
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They possess other properties such as flammability, oxidation, Marine Pollutant and can have properties that causes irritation and degradation to skin, eyes and airways.
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Segregation
Class 8 are made up of ACIDS and BASES, these are highly reactive and can react violently with each other depending on the strength and chemical composition.
They require segregation within the class
Segregation can be based on the PH LEVEL - ACIDS -4 & BASES +10
Look at the SDS to determine the compatibility, storage and transport requirements
as well as ADG Code 9.2.2
ACTS AND LEGISLATION
INCASE YOU CAN'T GET TO SLEEP AT NIGHT...
THIS WILL HELP
Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004
Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage and Handling of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007
Dangerous Goods Safety (Major Hazard Facilities) Regulations 2007
Dangerous Goods Safety (Explosives) Regulations 2007
Dangerous Goods Safety (Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate) Regulations 2007