Transport of Hazardous Materials and Pressurised Gases Transport

Transport of Hazardous Materials and Pressurised Gases

Transport of Hazardous Materials and Pressurised Gases • There is strict legislation surrounding the transportation of certain goods via road, rail, air or sea • Private cars must not be used for the transportation of certain hazardous materials • Only specified individuals in Life Sciences, Medical School and the Department of Chemistry trained in packaging and transportation are authorised to package and despatch hazardous substances.

What are ‘Dangerous Goods’? There are 9 classes of ‘dangerous goods’ that relate to chemicals, infectious substances and pressurised transportable gases (see table) UN Class Dangerous Goods Division(s) Classification 1 Explosives 1. 1 - 1. 6 Explosive 2. 1 Flammable gas 2 Gases 2. 2 Non-flammable, non -toxic gas 2. 3 Toxic gas Flammable liquid 4. 1 Flammable solid 4. 2 Spontaneously combustible substance 4. 3 Substance which in contact with water emits flammable gas 5. 1 Oxidising substance 5. 2 Organic peroxide 6. 1 Toxic substance 6. 2 Infectious substance 3 4 Flammable liquid Flammable solids 5 Oxidising substances 6 Toxic substances 7 Radioactive material 8 Corrosive substances Corrosive substance 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods

What are the requirements? Consignors have a duty to: • Identify the hazards of the goods they intend to transport • Label the goods so the hazard(s) are readily identifiable • Package the goods in accordance with legal requirements so not to cause a risk to others (preventing leaks, damage, etc) • Transport them in a way not to cause a hazard, noting that there are restrictions for some material categories and requirements for drivers to have undergone ADR training (where above a ‘small load threshold’)

Transport of Biological Materials • Infectious biological materials must be classified for transportation into one of two categories; A and B. • Separate licences and classifications exist for biological waste and transport of noninfectious GM materials, for example GM plants and seeds.

Authorised Packagers The following Departments have a number of staff who are authorised to initiate and approve the transport of biological materials, including any internal transport within the University. • School of Engineering • Chemistry Department • Warwick Medical School/School of Life Sciences The latest list of staff can be downloaded from here

Authorised Packagers For advice on the packaging of non-biological materials that constitute ‘dangerous goods’ contact must be made with the Health and Safety Department and the University’s approved carrier.

Approved Carriers The current University approved courier for the transportation of Dangerous Goods can be found by following this link A number of other couriers can be used for the occasional Category A biological package, or for the bulk transfer of dangerous goods that may be required when academics move between universities. For accessing these, contact must be made with the Health and Safety Department in advance.

Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) The Health and Safety Department renew a contract each year with a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser who can provide advice in relation to the transportation of any ‘dangerous good’ that needs to be transported by road, rail, air or sea. Should anyone require advice in this area, individuals should contact the Health and Safety Department via Health. Safety. Helpdesk@warwick. ac. uk