Understanding Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods (also known as hazardous material or hazmat) are?any substances or materials capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when handled or transported.

Identifying dangerous goods is the first step to reduce the risks posed by the product with proper packaging, communication, handling, storage and training when handled or transported.

As staying safe and keeping the environment safe is always important.

In Canada the Transportation of Dangerous Goods “aka” (TDG) Program develops safety standards and regulations, provides risk-based oversight and gives expert advice on dangerous goods to promote public safety in the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes of transport regulated by Transport Canada.

Transport Canada's TDG Program (posted on its website claims that it) has over 100 inspectors (including engineers and remedial measures specialists), who conduct close to 6,000 planned and reactive inspections every year.

In Canada, the transportation of dangerous goods is strictly regulated under the “Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act of 1992” which has been designed to promote public safety (people, property and the environment) and safety/security during the handling and transportation of dangerous goods.

Following brief description is to how dangerous goods are classified into different classes:

Note: Most of them are further classified into subclasses - Be sure to have proper knowledge and documentation before handling or transporting.

?Class 1

Explosives, including explosives within the meaning of the Explosives Act

Class 2

Gases; compressed, deeply refrigerated, liquefied or dissolved under pressure

Class 3

Flammable and combustible liquids

Class 4

Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances that on contact with water emit flammable gases

Class 5

Oxidizing substances; organic peroxides

Class 6

Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances

Class 7

Radioactive materials and radioactive prescribed substances within the meaning of the Atomic Energy Control Act

Class 8

Corrosives

Class 9

Miscellaneous products, substances or organisms considered by the Governor-in-Council to be dangerous to life, health, property or the environment when handled, offered for transport or transported and prescribed to be included in this class

Visible placards and labels are mandatory and must be placed on shipments while in storage or transit at all times.

TDG Regulations require that every person engaged in the handling, offering for transport or transportation of dangerous goods (must) be trained in the aspects applicable to their assigned duties. This is an important concern in managing the shipments of dangerous goods. Without adequate training, workers may not be able to select the proper packaging for a consignment or properly label and document it.

Effective enforcement is in place and knowledgeable inspectors and staff monitor the flow of dangerous goods shipments to ensure compliance with the TDG Act and Regulations.

Anyone found in violation of TDG Act. The penalty provisions provide for fines of up to $50,000.00 for a first offence and of up to $100,000.00 for subsequent offences in summary conviction proceedings, and up to two years imprisonment for indictable offences.?

The primary purpose of regulation is to ensure the safety of all affected by the transportation of dangerous goods and the preservation of our environment.

?Strong recommendation:?In the event of an emergency involving dangerous goods, call CANUTEC at?1-888-CAN-UTEC (226-8832),?613-996-6666?or?*666 on a cellular phone.

For more information: https://tc.canada.ca/en/dangerous-goods/publications/transportation-dangerous-goods-primer

Akbar Warris

416-371-9849

[email protected]