Transport company SaveProSolutions offers clients delivery of all types of consignments both in Ukraine and Europe: we work with requests of any complexity. Our own fleet of vehicles and experience in this industry allows us to promptly deliver dangerous goods to their destination. And good knowledge of the foreign chemical industry, as well as the nuances of documentary registration, will ensure safe transport of various types of products.
What is dangerous goods?
This category includes materials and substances that pose a potential hazard to human health, public safety and the environment. They can include a wide range of substances such as explosives, flammable liquids, poisonous substances, radioactive materials, corrosive substances and many others.
ADR cargoes require a number of regulations to ensure that they are loaded, transported, unloaded and stored. International organizations have developed norms and standards regulating the handling of hazardous products. And to work with them, the appropriate authorisation is required.
Types of dangerous goods
There are different types of substances that can be dangerous - each of them has properties and features that need to be taken into account when carrying out dangerous goods transport. A few of the most common categories can be identified.
Explosives
One of the most dangerous classes. Lead to an instantaneous release of energy, causing devastating explosions are capable of:
- TNT;
- nitroglycerine;
- pyrotechnic components.
ADR cargoes can be transported in both solid and liquid form, and most importantly require the strictest safety precautions.
Gases
Gaseous substances can ignite or pose a hazard in the event of a leak. In this category:
- Propane;
- methane;
- chlorine;
- ammonia.
Handling and transporting gases requires careful temperature and pressure control and the use of specialized containers. The price for transporting dangerous goods also depends on this.
Liquid combustibles
Dangerous due to the high risk of ignition and fire. Corrosion-resistant containers must be used for transport. This list includes petrol, paraffin and oils.
Solid combustibles
Support combustion at high temperatures: powdered metals or nitrocellulose. Require specialized storage and transport conditions: improper transport of dangerous goods can cause fire.
Oxidizing agents
Capable of increasing the combustion of other materials: hydrogen peroxide, chlorates. Must be transported in a sealed container to prevent contact with other types of combustible materials.
ADR classes of dangerous goods
The movement of substances that can pose a danger to people and the environment is regulated by the international ADR agreement, according to which dangerous goods can be divided into several main classes.
Class 1: Explosives
Materials capable of causing an explosion. This includes explosives, explosive compositions for special applications, self-igniting agents and solid explosives.
Class 2: gases
Pose a transport hazard and include flammable, non-flammable, toxic and oxidizing gases. This class covers a wide range of substances, from propane and oxygen to transporting ammonia and chlorine.
Class 3: liquid combustibles
This includes flammable liquids that can cause a fire under normal conditions. The class includes fuels and lubricants such as petrol, diesel and various oils.
Class 4: solid combustibles
Can support combustion under certain conditions. This class is divided into three subgroups: combustible solids, spontaneously combustible substances and compounds that give off flammable gases in contact with water. Carriage of dangerous goods by road must take into account the characteristics of each of these groups.
Class 5: oxidizing agents and bleaches
This class includes oxidizing agents that can increase combustion and bleaches that are used in chemical processes.
Class 6: toxic and infectious substances
This category includes all groups that can pose a threat to human health: poisons, pathogens.
Class 7: radioactive materials
Dangerous goods transport services include the transport of materials that emit radiation, as well as sources of ionizing radiation. Due to the high concentration of radionuclides they require special attention during transport.
Class 8: corrosive substances
Capable of damaging and destroying the shipping container, so require proper selection of transport. These are ADR cargoes, including acids, alkalis and other substances that can cause corrosion.
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous goods
A category that includes various types of solids and liquids not included in the previous sections.
Dangerous Goods Signs: How to organize a safe delivery
Safety is becoming a priority aspect that has to be taken into account when organizing a delivery. The transport of petroleum products, as well as other hazardous substances, is only allowed using special signs. The main standard: a system of classification and labelling of dangerous goods in accordance with international agreements such as ADR, IMDG and IATA. The signs are categorised by hazard class and contain important information about the nature of the cargo being transported. Based on this, the following regulations have been implemented:
- Every freight container and vehicle transporting dangerous goods must be clearly and correctly labelled with danger signs. This allows other road users to immediately identify the nature of the products.
- Specific signs have been developed for each of the hazardous materials, which provide information on its class and subclass. Such labelling is mandatory and must be clearly visible to ensure instant identification.
- Vehicles that deliver ADR cargoes must be technically sound. This requirement includes compliance with all safety standards as well as regular inspections for technical condition.
Safe delivery of dangerous goods is not possible without strict compliance with all regulations and requirements set by local and international authorities. This includes transport and storage regulations, as well as knowledge of the basic scenarios to be applied in an emergency situation. Transporting dangerous goods requires a comprehensive approach: use of appropriate signs, training of personnel, correct labelling, and adherence to standards. This will prevent a possible emergency situation to ensure that the vehicle arrives safely from origin to destination.
Characteristics and basic classification of dangerous goods
Cargoes falling under ADR require correct identification using current shipping names and numbers approved by the UN. Dangerous goods to be transported on Ukrainian or European roads must comply with international standards of numbers according to the type of substance. With the help of the catalogue, professionals of the logistics company can easily recognize them and adhere to the established rules of delivery.
Carriage of special cargoes according to ADR standards must be accompanied by the following information:
- the number of the substance according to the UN classification;
- the correct name;
- class indication;
- labelling of the package;
- the presence of a classification code.
Compliance with the last point is optional and applies only to certain categories.
Correct identification of ADR dangerous goods
One popular method of identifying substances is still to use the UN number. This unique four-digit number is assigned to the goods being transported in accordance with the organization's established regulations. In the absence of an assigned number, the process of identifying a shipment may not be carried out correctly, causing significant difficulties during its delivery, especially if the dangerous goods need to be transported in bulk. But this number does not always allow 100% identification of transported compositions.
The exceptional variety of substances that can be hazardous means that the UN number may not be known for certain categories. In such cases, the problem can be solved by identification by name. This is done by referring to the alphabetical index of components and the table in ADR: chemical elements may have several names, including synonyms and commercial designations. This emphasizes the importance of careful attention to the identification process.
Regulations for the transport of dangerous goods within Europe
The international shipping of dangerous goods is a complex process that is governed by a number of pieces of legislation and agreements. A wide range of aspects and subtleties can be identified that must be taken into account by the carrier.
Requirements of European and Ukrainian legislation
ADR is an international standard for road transport in Europe. Regulates classification, packaging, labelling and documentation.
CMR - European agreement on international transport. Sets out rules for international road delivery, including solid and liquid dangerous goods.
Additional measures and regulations are developed and implemented at European Union level.
Identification and classification
Each category of hazardous substances has a unique four-digit UN number to ensure its identification.
All materials are categorized into separate classes and groups according to ADR, which determines their characteristics and delivery requirements.
Packaging and labelling
The carrier of dangerous goods must follow ADR requirements to ensure safety. Each package must be clearly marked and labelled to indicate the nature of the contents and possible risks.
Documentation and authorizations
Transport documents include specific transport declarations, permits, licences, and a range of related paperwork for dangerous goods that must be completed strictly to standard.
Technical requirements
Vehicles must meet high safety standards, including accident prevention systems. Vehicles involved in this task are equipped with specialized emergency response equipment.
Training and certification of personnel
Dangerous goods haulers must be trained in accordance with ADR. Only drivers who are certified and have sufficient experience in the industry are allowed to work.
Possible problems with ADR shipments
Lack of experience or ignorance of the requirements of the current Ukrainian and European legislation may cause certain difficulties, including:
- non-compliance with classification and labelling rules - may cause improper handling of explosive and toxic compounds;
- errors in filling out documents - will lead to delays in transporting ADR cargo or inability to cross state borders.
- insufficient qualification of personnel - multiplies the risk of emergencies: accidents or incidents;
- wrong choice of vehicle, violation of hermetic tightness - may cause leakage and, consequently, environmental pollution.
The cost of transporting dangerous goods in SaveProSolutions is affordable, especially taking into account the wide range of options that this service includes. All rules for handling toxic or explosive substances during loading and unloading will be taken into account, and specialized equipment will be used for safe manipulation of solid or liquid materials.
List of documents required for the transport of dangerous goods
Before sending the car on its way, our managers will prepare a full set of documents, due to which the transport of dangerous goods will be safe and efficient. The basic set includes:
- ADR certificate on the driver's admission to transport. Confirms that the specialist has undergone specialized training and his level of competence allows him to perform this work.
- Vehicle authorization certificate. Confirmation that the vehicle complies with all technical requirements relevant for a particular category.
- Licence to transport chemicals or dangerous goods. An authorization to be issued after strict verification of the company's compliance with safety standards.
- A journey sheet with the appropriate marking. Each trip must be accompanied by this document, which lists all the characteristics of the transported products.
- Technical passport for the transport. Additional confirmation that the equipment is fully serviceable and equipped with means of preventing accidents.
It is mandatory to develop an instruction on handling hazardous substances, as well as the procedure of actions in case of abnormal circumstances.
How are dangerous goods transported?
The type of materials to be transported, their class, subclass and specifics of transport depends on the cost of transporting dangerous goods. The following categories of vehicles may be involved:
- EX/II and EX/III specialised vehicles;
- general purpose lorries.
The second option is only possible if ADR requirements are met, the quantity of materials transported is limited, and the packaging is correct. For bulk materials, a specialized hydroboard will be used.
For the transport company SaveProSolutions, the transport of dangerous goods has become a priority. The price of this service is loyal, and due to a comprehensive, professional approach, the quality of its performance is invariably high.