““Book it right & pack it tightBook it right & pack it tight””

New guidebooks to the IMDG Code operational rules for preparing New guidebooks to the IMDG Code operational rules for preparing

dangerous goods for carriage by seadangerous goods for carriage by sea

Book 1: Shippers & Forwarders

Book 2: Shipping lines and freight booking agencies

Book 3: Consolidators –managers and supervisors

Book 4: Fork lift operators and cargo handlers

Subjects covered in this presentation

1. Purpose & content of the Guidebooks2. Classification of dangerous goods3. Documentation: compliance requirements4. Packing certificates & other certification5. Limited quantities6. Segregation7. IMDG Code training & security awareness8. Taking and checking the cargo booking9. Summary of topics covered

1 - Purpose & content of the Guidebooks

What is in the Guidebooks?

• Clear guidance on how to ensure that shippers comply with the IMDG Code

• Explanation of legal duties• Practical examples• Sample documents• Photographs• Illustrations

Format of the guidebooks

The Guidebooks all have a Part A & Part B:

• Part A identifies the key operational duties – what you and shippers must do and how to do it

• Part B is a common reference section explaining requirements of the IMDG Code

What is the purpose of the Guidebooks?

1. To provide practical operational guidance to the complex requirements of the IMDG Code

2. To provide a quick reference to the relevant IMDG Code text

A fundamental question:What are dangerous goods?

Answer: Substances or articles that may:

– kill or injure people– damage ships or transport equipment– damage cargo – damage the environment (marine pollutants)

Are there rules for shipping dangerous goods by sea?

YES – there are strict rules for shippers, container packers and shipping lines

The rules are contained in the

International MaritimeDangerous Goods Code

disatrer2002

Failure to comply with dangerous goods rules causes severe maritime incidents …….

.

.… and heavy losses

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

Known as the IMDG Code

A complete instructionmanual for documentation, packaging and carriage of dangerous goods by sea

What is the IMDG Code?

• Two volumes & a Supplement (over 800 pages)

• Rules for every stage of the carriage of dangerous goods by sea

• The international UN system for classification, listing, documentation, packaging & packing of dangerous goods

• Specific legal duties for all parties that are enforced by national legislation and the international SOLAS Convention

Where does the IMDG Code come from?

• The IMDG Code is produced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)

• The IMO is a United Nations agency

• The IMDG Code is based on the UN inter-modal dangerous goods system and is used world-wide

Who has duties under the IMDG Code?

• Shipping line booking agents• Shippers & forwarders• Consolidators (supervisor/manager)• Fork lift drivers/container packers• Ships and shipping lines

Book 2: Shipping Lines & Freight Booking Agencies

Practical operational guidance on the knowledge required by shipping lines and freight booking agencies:

1. Classification & identification

2. Documentation

3. Packaging & labelling

References in this presentation

• References to sections in Guidebook 2 are always shown in yellow at bottom left hand corner:

• References to text in the IMDG Code are shown in blue:

See Guidebook Part B section 4

See Guidebook Part B section 4

See IMDG Code 2.10

The guidebook is your quick guide to the IMDG Code

Your quick reference to ….

…. the 800 pages of the IMDG Code

How to use your guidebook

Identify the operational subject, and see examples. Use the IMDG references to ….

…. take you directly to the relevant text in IMDG Code for full details

Guidebook 2: IMDG Code knowledge required for freight booking staff

1. Classification of dangerous goods

2. Documentation requirements

3. Packaging certificates

4. Segregation

.

2 - Classification of dangerous goods

What does “classification” mean?

• Classification is the shippers duty to describe his product and its hazard according to the rules of the IMDG Code

e.g.- UN Number- Name of product- Class and type of hazard(s)- Degree of hazard (Packing Group)- Description in terms used in the IMDG Code

Where can classification details be found?

In the the columns of the Dangerous Goods Listin Part 3 of the IMDG Code –

What is the Dangerous Goods List?

• A list containing an entry for all dangerous goods (it takes up 169 pages of Volume 2 of the IMDG Code)

• It is the first point of reference for all enquiries about classification or technical details of a substance or article

Dangerous Dangerous Goods ListGoods List

(diagrammatic display(diagrammatic display))

Each substance entry has 18 columns of

classification & other information

Substances are listed under their

UN Number in Column 1

Why do I need to understand classification?

If you accept dangerous goods bookings on behalfof a shipping line, you mustbe able to check that theclassification details and documents provided by theshipper are correct

Classification factors

There are a number of classification details shippers must provide for each dangerous substance:

1. UN Number2. Proper Shipping Name3. Class4. Plus a number of “conditional” details such as

degree of hazard (Packing Group), flashpoint, marine pollutant etc, depending upon the substance

UN hazard classification system

• The IMDG Code uses the UN intermodal system to classify and identify dangerous goods

• Classification details for each substance are listed in the columns of the Dangerous Goods List

See Guidebook Part B sections 1-8, 11

See IMDG Code Chapts 2.0 – 2.10

Class 1 - Explosives

Class 2 - Gases

Class 3 - Flammable Liquids

Class 4 - Flammable Solids

Class 5 - Oxidising Substances

Class 6 - Toxic Substances

Class 7 - Radioactive Substances

Class 8 - Corrosives

Class 9 - Miscellaneous

Dangerous

goods are put into one

of 9 categories, depending

upon the type of hazard.

These are called

‘Classes’

There are 9 hazard Classes

Hazard classes are represented by symbols: examples

CLASS 3

Flammable liquids are liquids that have a flashpoint of below 60°C

CLASS 8

Corrosive substances and their vapors destroy living tissue on contact and can damage many other materials

CLASS 6.1

Toxic substances cause injury or death to humans by inhalation, swallowing or skin contact

Some classes are subSome classes are sub--divided into divided into ““divisionsdivisions””

Class 2.1 – Flammable gas

Class 2.2 – Non-flammable non-toxic gas

Class 2.3 – Toxic gas

See Guidebook Part B Section 4 for an explanation of all the classes and sub-divisions

See IMDG Code 2.0 – 2.10 for full details of the UN classification system

Multiple hazards (Sub-risks)

• Some substances have more than one hazard –They have a main risk and a “sub-risk”e.g. a substance classed as a flammable liquid may also be toxic:

CARBON DISULPHIDE

Class 3 + Sub-risk of class 6.1

See Guidebook Part B section 5

UN Number

• Every dangerous substance has a UN Number

• This is a unique number allocated by the UN

• The UN Number is used to locate the dangerous substance entry in the numerical IMDG Dangerous Goods List (IMDG Part 3)eg UN 2023

See Guidebook Part B section 6

All dangerous goods have a UN Number, Proper Shipping Name, & Class

Example: ETHANOL

• UN Number – UN 1170

• Proper Shipping Name - ETHANOL

• Class - 3

What name should the shipper use for his dangerous goods?

• Every dangerous substance and article can also be found listed in the alphabetical index of the IMDG Dangerous Goods List under its Proper Shipping Name

See Guidebook Part B section 7

e.g. substance name: SULPHURIC ACID

e.g. article name: ROCKET MOTORS

Proper Shipping Names

• The Proper Shipping Name is the only name internationally recognised by the United Nations dangerous goods system

• You must ensure that the shipper uses only the Proper Shipping Name from the Dangerous Goods List on his documentation

• You should ensure that only the Proper Shipping Name is submitted for the ship’s dangerous cargo manifest

Proper Shipping Names for mixtures & unlisted substances

• Mixtures of dangerous substances and uncommon dangerous substances are not listed in the Dangerous Goods List

• They are shipped under a name chosen from a list of names that describe the generic hazard of the substance or mixture –

Known as a “Not Otherwise Specified” (N.O.S.)name

How shippers choose an N.O.S Proper Shipping Name

• A mixture is subjected to standard tests to determine any hazardous characteristics

• If it is hazardous it is given a generic name and UN Number that describes the hazard eg FLAMMABLE LIQUID N.O.S. UN 1993

See Guidebook Part B section 7

Completing N.O.S. names

• To complete an N.O.S. name the identity of the dangerous substance(s) must be added in brackets after the generic name e.g.

• UN 1993, FLAMMABLE LIQUID N.O.S. (contains glycol and acetone)

• The IMDG Code has a list containing N.O.S. generic names that cover all combinations of class and sub-risk – consult the Guidebook & IMDG Code Appendix A

There are other classification details that are not universal

• After UN Number, Proper Shipping Name and Class, other “conditional” classification details may apply to particular dangerous goods

• To find what details are required, refer to the substance entry in the Dangerous Goods List

See Guidebook Part B sections 5, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 19

Packing Groups: an indication of danger

• Some hazard classes also require a Packing Group to indicate degree of hazard

• “Packing Group” is usually shortened to “PG”

• If a PG is required, it must be included on the shipper’s declaration

PG I Great dangerPG II Medium dangerPG III Low danger

See Guidebook Part B section 8

Marine Pollutant

• These are substances that bio-accumulate in the marine food chain or are highly destructive to the marine environment

• Marine pollutants must be identified on documents and by the marine pollutant mark (below) on packages and cargo transport units

See Guidebook Part B section 11

Flashpoint

• The flashpoint must be provided only for:– Class 3 substances (Flammable Liquids) – Or any substance with a class 3 sub-risk

CLASS 3 - flammable liquids are liquids thathave a flashpoint of less than 60°C.

See Guidebook Part B section 10

Less common variable details

• There are other less common conditional classification details that may be required eg:

– Solid or liquid– Control & emergency temperature– Radioactivity details– Explosives details

• Refer to the substance entry in the Dangerous Goods List and IMDG 5.4 to see what details may be requied

See Guidebook Part B section 3.4

Reminder: How to find classification details

• All classification details are found in the various columns of the Dangerous Goods List in Part 3.2 of the IMDG Code

• When taking bookings, check that all the required classification details for the particular substance or article have been provided by the shipper

3 3 –– Documentation: Compliance requirementsDocumentation: Compliance requirements

Details of the dangerous goods

• The shipper or his forwarder must provide the line with full classification details at the initial booking stage – usually on a shipping line internal booking request form

• When the shipper despatches the goods, they must be accompanied by a dangerous goods declaration that complies with IMDG Code requirements

DocumentationDocumentation::

Shipper’s dangerous goods declaration & packing certificate

This example of a shipper’s declaration is taken from page 20 of Guidebook 2

ShipperShipper’’s dangerous goods declarations dangerous goods declaration

All dangerous goodsconsignments must be accompanied by adangerous goods declaration that shows the classification detailsthat is signed by the shipper

Details required for the dangerous goods declaration

• Shipper’s address• Consignee’s address• Ship & voyage details• Classification & identification• Packaging description• Quantity• Leading marks• Shipper’s signature

See Guidebook Part A sections 3 & 4

Shipper’s name & address

Consignee’s name & address

Voyage details

Number & type of packaging

Leading marks

Classification & identification

Container details

Packing certificate must be completed and signed by the container packer

Classification details are vitalClassification details are vital

Details of the packaging, classification and substance identification must all be entered on the declaration

See IMDG 5.4

See Guidebook Part A sections 3 & 4

Classification details

Proper Shipping name Mandatory

Class Mandatory

UN Number Mandatory

Sub-risk (conditional)

Packing Group (conditional)

Marine Pollutant (conditional)

Flashpoint (conditional)

Control & emergency temperature (conditional)

Fumigation details (conditional)

Radiation details (Mandatory for Class 7)

Explosives details (Mandatory for Class 1)

Shipper’s declaration: This text confirms that the shipper has accurately described his dangerous goods and they are correctly classified, packaged and labelled according to all national and international legislation.

This is a mandatory text from the IMDG Code.

This is where the document is signed and dated by the shipper

Net & gross quantity of dangerous goods

4 4 –– Packing Certificates and other certificationPacking Certificates and other certification

Packing certificate contains a statement signed by the person responsible for packing the container that the container and its load meet all requirements of the IMDG Code

See Guidebook Part A section 6

Packing certificate

Purpose of the packing certificate

• The packing certificate is a signed statement by the person packing the container that goods are:

• correctly packaged, marked & labelled• not damaged or leaking• properly braced and secured for sea transport• in a container that is in good condition, that is

correctly marked and placarded• in compliance with all aspects of the IMDG Code• accompanied by a shipper’s declaration that

accurately describes the goods

Reminder: Packing certificates

• All consignments of dangerous goods that are packed in a freight container or a vehicle must be accompanied by a packing certificate

• Consignments without packing certificates should not be shipped

Potential additional documentation

• Booking staff should recognise that supplementary documents may be submitted or required:

– Weathering certificate– Exemption certificate– Letter of indemnity– Competent Authority Approval– Container fumigation certificate

See Guidebook Part A section 5

5 5 –– Limited QuantitiesLimited Quantities

Limited quantities

• Dangerous goods shipped as “limited quantities”have fewer land and sea transport rules

• By sea the main concession is that limited quantity goods do not require segregation from other dangerous goods

• Another concession is that UN-certified packaging is not required

Limited quantities

In principle limited quantities means shipping in small receptacles protected by outer packaging

Rules for limited quantities

• Packages: Maximum weight/capacity of the inner receptacles is specified in column 7 of the Dangerous Goods List for individual substance

• The shipper’s declaration must state “LIMITED QUANTITIES”

• Packages must bear the limited quantities mark instead of the normal label and marks

See Guidebook Part A section 7 and Part B section 9

Aerosols UN 1950: special rules

• Aerosols are a commonly-shipped commodity that often cause problems

• Usually shipped as Limited Quantities

• Aerosols have special rules for classification, documentationand packaging

See Guidebook Part B section 19

6 6 –– SegregationSegregation

Segregation: Rules for controlling mixed hazard loads

• ‘Mixed loading’ means loading different types of dangerous goods together in the same container

• Mixed loading creates the possibility of dangerous chemical reaction

• Mixed loading is prohibited unless permitted by the IMDG Code segregation rules in IMDG section 7.2

The rules of segregation are complex - see IMDG chapter 7.2

Be aware that different types of dangerous goods may have to be packed into different containers

See also Guidebook 1 Part A section 9

See also Guidebook 3 (Consolidators) Part A section 12 for segregation in containers

Calculation and checking of mixed load segregation

• You may be required to advise shippers or packers on load segregation at the booking stage, or check mixed hazard loads prior to loading the ship

• To calculate segregation you will need all the classification details from the shipper’s declaration

Checking segregation

• When taking bookings for multi-hazard consignments ensure that any segregation requirement is identified to the shipper

• Inform shipper if IMDG Code rules prohibit co-loading of a particular hazard combination offered for shipment in the same container

Methods of checking segregation

Segregation checks can be carried out:

1. Manually using the IMDG rules in section 7.2 (This method is explained in Guidebook 3 for Consolidators section 12)

2. Electronically using an in-house electronic system supplied by the shipping line

3. Electronically using an independent commercial checking system accessed via the internet such as HAZCHECK

7 7 –– IMDG Code Training & Security AwarenessIMDG Code Training & Security Awareness

IMDG Code training

• The IMDG Code requires that staff processing dangerous goods documentation and booking cargo must be trained to understand the rules of the IMDG Code

• Booking staff should be trained to provide shippers and packers with dangerous goods advice

Check your IMDG Code training competency

The IMDG Code requires that employers traintheir employees in both:

– general dangerous goods awareness – specific jobs involving dangerous goods

Refer to the IMDG training schedule in section1.3 of the IMDG Code to check the functions inwhich you and your staff must be competent

See Guidebook Part A section 1

Security awareness

• Some dangerous goods can be used by terrorists to create explosions, fires and toxic releases

• Ports can be strategic terrorist targets and high levels of security are normal context

• All personnel should be aware of such hazards and keep cargo and storage information confidential (see IMDG chapt 1.4 security provisions)

See Guidebook Part A section 2

8 8 –– Taking and checking the cargo bookingTaking and checking the cargo booking

Checking dangerous goods bookings

• Shipping lines require classification details from the shipper in advance to check acceptability and segregation

• These will normally be requested on a dangerous goods booking form

• Details on the shipper’s formal declaration should be the same as on the advance booking –CHECK!

9 9 –– Summary of topics coveredSummary of topics covered

What has been covered in this presentation

• This presentation has looked briefly at the following key duties, found in Guidebook 2, that should be familiar to booking staff.

• Greater detail on these and other topics will be found in Guidebook 2 itself:- Classification- Documentation- Certification- Limited quantities- Segregation- IMDG Training

Topics covered in other guidebooks

• Guidebooks 1,3 & 4 in the series provide detailed coverage of other topics including:

– Segregation in detail– Unit loads– Container packing, bracing & securing– Causes of cargo damage– Container marking and placarding– Fumigation– Packing certificates in detail

Important Notice

The Guidebooks are a practical operational aid and should be used alongside the IMDG Code

They are not a substitute for IMDG Code training –employees should be trained as appropriate for their joband responsibility

Technical issues should always be checked against thelegal text of the IMDG Code

The end

This presentation is to introduce the “Book itRight and Pack it Tight” guidebooks to a wideaudience and to promote understanding and

use of the IMDG Code. Please modify to your own requirements