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On site practical dangerous goods training with simulated training drills provided by DGSA

During these drills we created a scenario with a leaking container carrying Class 8 of PGI with toxic (poisonous) fumes. Emergency personnel were trained on readiness, emergency preparedness, application of various regulations. Containment, evacuation procedures and emergency procedures to adopt. This training took into account IMDG, ERG and ISPS.

 

Do you ship, store, handle, transport dangerous goods? Is your Company ready to handle an accident? 

 

Dangerous Goods South Africa (DGSA). The experts in dangerous goods training. Providing training Worldwide.

 

 

 

 

 

2016 starts off with a bang!

Happy New Year! Let's hope it will be one with less incidence and more training, compliance and awareness.

The new year have started off with yet another huge chemical fire at one of Brazil's busiest Ports. Not only does this impact the environment severely, but impedes trade and ultimately affects the local economy. It's always a lose/lose situation. An avoidable one if the necessary rules are complied with.

If you've attended my classes, you will remember my training: Compliance with the Regulations do not only help to ensure the free movement of dangerous goods, but also the free movement of all goods where dangerous goods share a common storage and shipping environment. This is a prime example in the Santos fire. 

From myself, I want to wish everyone the very best for 2016!

Here is the news article on the Santos fire:

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-fire-ports-idUSKCN0UT1KD

Dangerous Goods destroy Tianjin Port

The news report here on this link: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/12/asia/china-port-explosion/ 

We are in need of stricter control and policing measures including heavy penalties for those who contravene Regulations and place others at risk. With the transport, storage and handling of Dangerous Goods comes responsibility and all Companies must implement strict controls, including training and retraining programmes as required by the IMDG Code.

My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. There are many of these accidents happening all the time, but the enormity of this particular one have left many questions unanswered. 

Compliance not only ensures legal security, but also ensures risk and liability security. Stay relevant, stay safe.

Ashraf Keraan

DGSA

How safe are we storing dangerous goods in our Ports?

What dangers are we exposing dock workers, staff, the public and the environment to when we store dangerous goods in our Ports?

The recent fire that broke out in the Port of Vancouver on 4 March 2015 with what is believed to be Class 5.1, UN2468 an Oxidizer, sensitive to friction and liable to ignite, an irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membranes, highlighted the possible need to re-evaluate our storage and handling procedures of dangerous goods in our Ports. From the news articles it is clear the container was difficult to locate and contain. It took fire fighters almost 24 hours to contain the fire. The Port was brought to a standstill. One of the dangers was the risk of the fire spreading among other cargoes, especially other dangerous goods. 

 

Are we adhering to and implementing procedures and recommendations such as MSC.1/Circ.1216: RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS CARGOES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES IN PORT AREAS?

 

Here are some extracts of the Circular on segregation of dangerous goods in Ports:

 

"4.3 Containers, tank-containers and portable tanks containing dangerous cargoes, where practicable, should not be stowed directly above each other or overlap. Exemptions should only be allowed for containers which contain dangerous cargoes of the same class. This does not apply to containers with different cargoes of class 8. Where applicable, containers should be stowed in such a manner as to allow, when applicable, access to the doors and both sides at all times.

4.6 All dangerous cargoes, except for individual packages, should, where applicable, be separated by a minimum distance of 1 m in order to permit access."

 

What the MSC Circular is saying in 4.3 above is that dangerous goods should not be stored directly above one another, except if they are the same IMO Class. The rule is different for Class 8 and only applies if the Class 8's are exactly the same, may they be stored above each other. Adhering to segregation rules and maintaining those minimum distances as described in the segregation table is vital for safety and the prevention of the spread of a fire and possible explosive situations.

The Circular states that special areas must be designated for dangerous goods and there are additional requirements for specific dangerous goods such as storage of temperature controlled substances where provision must be made for adequate temperature control equipment.

Further requirements highlight mandatory Training for awareness and function specific courses for all Port personnel. In addition Security Training for all personnel involved with handling dangerous goods, as stated in Chapter 1.4 of the IMDG Code with direct reference to the ISPS Code on Maritime Security.

Stay Safe...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The DANGEROUS GOODS DECLARATION, simplified.

My first post on this blog is to assist everyone with the many requests for a simplified and easy to use DANGEROUS GOODS DECLARATION. I designed this document and have now made it available for anyone. I have incorporated the mandatory PACKING CERTIFICATE into the document as it is permitted to be combined under Chapter 5.4.2.2. This eliminates the need for separate attached documents as is required by the Code. The document comes with explanations on the various sections and includes drop down lists on some sections, making it very user friendly. If you would like a copy of this document, you can e-mail me: ashraf@kertrans.com and I will send you a copy.

If you would like to follow future posts on this blog and be notified about it please enter your e-mail details under the blog heading above and submit.

I hope you will enjoy this. Please send me your feedback, Ashraf DGSA.