Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods have a broad definition, and it’s important to understand the basics of the transport business as it pertains to hazardous materials. Many businesses require the use of a dangerous goods shipment company. Pharmaceutical companies, oil companies, gas companies, and certain manufacturing businesses may all need the help of a transport service at some point. There are laws regulating the hazardous materials industry, including the collection, packaging, and shipping of dangerous materials. Once business owners understand how the industry works, it’s much easier to arrange for transport.
What Are Dangerous Goods?
A dangerous good is anything that could cause a health problem or dangerous situation if the material were to leak, get wet, release into the air, or get onto exposed skin. Clinical waste is also a dangerous good, especially if it contains infectious disease. Items such as blood, tissue samples, needles, and serums are considered dangerous goods. If exposure to a material would pose a severe risk to people or the environment, it’s considered a dangerous good.
Why Ship Dangerous Goods?
Businesses have a variety of reasons to use hazardous goods shipping services. If the business specializes in import and exports, than the main part of the business is dangerous goods transport. Hazardous materials may also be shipped to a storage facility. Companies that don’t have the room to store large hazardous materials supplies may need to take advantage of off-site storage facilities. Disposal is another reason for the shipping of dangerous goods. Many businesses deal with hazardous materials that don’t have the ability to perform on-site disposal and must take advantage of off-site disposal services.
Types of Dangerous Goods Transportation
The three main ways of transporting dangerous goods are air, water, and road. When using dangerous goods air freight, you must follow the regulations set forth by the aviation legislation. The shipping company can help you with the declarations paperwork to insure that everything you ship is documented correctly. You will also need to properly package and label your goods to avoid penalties. To transport by sea, you will need to insure that everyone involved with the transport process is properly trained and certified according to the maritime regulations.
Transporting dangerous goods by road can get tricky because rules differ by state. However, there are training courses available to help you and your employees understand local regulations by state. To avoid mistakes, you can work with a dangerous goods consultant who will know the exact laws and regulations for your dangerous goods. Once you understand the basics of transporting hazardous materials, it becomes easier to correctly package, label, and ship your materials.