Dangerous goods (DG) shipping, or hazardous materials, are outlined in Federal transportation law, code 49 U.S.C. 5103. The first step in DG shipping is determining if the goods you're shipping are hazardous.
Every day, dangerous goods are packed and carefully shipped around the world. Since the definition of which goods are dangerous or not can change, DG shipping companies must adhere to federal and state regulations.
Items on this list include:
Dangerous goods are materials that pose an unreasonable risk to a person's health and safety or property when transported.
DG shipping requires a complete identification of the goods before you can properly ship them to code. Some goods can be shipped via train, for example, while others can't be shipped due to their chemical composition.
Even items that seem harmless are dangerous goods, such as:
Vibrations and even changes in air pressure or temperature can make certain goods dangerous. When shipped on a plane, the change in air temperature and pressure can make the materials unstable. Proper handling can reduce these potential risks.
Classification of dangerous goods is based on the materials':
The manufacturer should provide a standard Safety Data Sheet (SDS) that provides information on the transported goods. The SDS also outlines the transportation and DG shipping risks related to the materials.
Of course, these are consumer items, and there are far more hazardous materials to be concerned about that will fall into one of the following categories:
Safely shipping these products is in the best interest of the manufacturers, consumers, and retailers.
If you're going to ship dangerous goods in the United States, the Department of Transportation requires training and certification before you can ship dangerous goods. DG shipping requires that the goods be:
Training is required for all HAZMAT employees to reduce HAZMAT incidents, raise safety awareness and increase team member safety.
Here's what you need to do in order to conduct DG shipping based on your required transportation mode:
DG shipping can be made safer with the right experience and training. A few of the many tips that can go a long way in ensuring that your goods reach their destination safely are:
It's essential to follow all federal procedures and protocolsfor DGshipping. Federal agencies have strict regulations that work to keep goods safe and secure in transport.
As a shipper, you must know and understand the nature of the materials that you're transporting. It's important to know that certain materials are flammable, acidic, create toxic fumes, harm the environment, interact with water, etc. Knowing the nature of the transported goods will make transportation safety even better.
Packaging is essential for all types of cargo, but when dealing with hazardous materials, it's even more essential to package the materials adequately. When packaged among other items, the hazardous materials should be easily accessible and accessed rapidly if an emergency occurs.
It would be best to make sure that the packaging is appropriately labeled and suitable for the goods you're shipping. You must also use proper documentation and labeling. Shippers should have strict protocols to ensure that HAZMAT materials are shipped as safely as possible.
DG shipping requires you and your employees to be fully compliant when shipping dangerous goods. Following compliance best practices can be done by:
Shippers want to be sure that they have strict oversight and procedures in place for DG shipping. Maintain detailed DG shipping records and ensure that the packaging used is tested and certified for the goods in question.
With many rules and regulation to keep in mind, it can be a tricky process to ensure accurate labeling and packaging of your dangerous goods. Lucky for you, ShipHAZ makes it all easy. With a hazardous materials compliance software, you'll automatically generate the right labels, forms, and codes. You'll save time and money with ShipHAZ!
Kick back and relax knowing that you're compliant with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. Execute your DG shipping with ease. Sign up for a free product demo of ShipHAZ today!
For more information on hazardous materials and DG shipping, check out these resources: