The carriage of dangerous goods is subject to the mandatory use of a particular type of transport equipment as outlined in ADR Part 7.
The vehicle and the vehicle crew, as well as containers and tankers shall comply with the regulatory provisions concerning safety, security, cleanliness and satisfactory operation of the equipment used in loading and unloading upon arrival at the loading and unloading sites.
Where appropriate the vehicles or containers shall be fitted with devices to facilitate securing and handling of the dangerous goods. Packages containing dangerous substances and articles and unpackaged dangerous articles shall be secured by suitable means capable of restraining the goods (such as fastening straps, sliding slatboards, adjustable brackets) in the vehicle or container in a manner that will prevent any movement during carriage which would change the orientation of the packages or cause them to be damaged.
When dangerous goods are carried with other goods (e.g., heavy machinery or crates), all goods shall be securely fitted or packed in the vehicles or containers so as to prevent the release of dangerous goods.
Movement of packages may also be prevented by filling any voids by the use of dunnage or by blocking and bracing. Where restraints such as banding or straps are used, these shall not be over-tightened to cause damage or deformation of the package.
Packages shall not be stacked unless designed for that purpose and where different design types of packages that have been designed for stacking are to be loaded together, consideration shall be given to their compatibility for stacking with each other. Stacked packages shall be prevented from damaging the package below by the use of load bearing devices.
Particular attention should be paid to the handling of packages during their preparation for carriage, the type of vehicle or container on which they are to be carried and to the method of loading or unloading, so that accidental damage is not caused through dragging or mishandling the packages.
MOVEMENT OF PACKAGES
A load on a vehicle or in a container is subjected to forces and can move in 6 directions: Forward & Backward / Left & Right / Up and Down.
Stability is affected by the vehicle’s acceleration, deceleration or change of direction and for a container loaded onto a vessel this is affected by the roll, heave, sway, surge, pitch or yaw. Therefore, consideration should be made to secure and prevent movement for all loads for the types of movement to be encountered.
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
There is a legal responsibility to apply load securing methods for ALL loads! Breaches can lead to custodial sentences at Crown Court and the impact on a business or to the local economy can be huge financially. Failures start long before the load begins its journey and breaches place everyone at risk or harm.
Compliance with the regulations relies on Consignor, Packer, Haulier, Operator, Carrier and Consignee. Training should be appropriate to the responsibilities and duties of the individuals concerned and aim to make personnel aware of how their involvement in the process of handling, loading and unloading, especially dangerous goods, has an effect on person, property or the environment.
FURTHER READING
Guidance on the stowage of dangerous goods can be found in the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code), in the “European Best Practice Guidelines on Cargo Securing for Road Transport” and at the Safety of Loads on Vehicles, Code of Practice at www.gov.uk