Dangerous goods are articles or materials capable of posing a significant risk to people, health, property or environment when being transported.

When in doubt whether a shipment is dangerous or not, ask the manufacturer or supplier for a Safety Data Sheet also known as SDS.  When it contains a UN number it is dangerous goods. On that SDS it should also mention the classification of the dangerous goods. This information can usually be found in ‘section 14-Transport Information’ of the SDS.

Examples of Dangerous Goods

The list of substances and articles that are classified as hazardous materials is very extensive. Some are obvious, yet others not so much. Examples of the ‘not so obvious’ consumer type articles that are classified as hazardous are certain alcohol based hand sanitisers, perfumes, aerosols (eg: deodorant), certain paints and varnishes, matches and anything containing lithium batteries – like phones and laptops.

There are three modes of transport applicable for transporting DG’s, all of which ORP DG PRO can assist with. 

• By Road – using the current edition of the ADG code for Road Transport

• By Plane – using the current edition of the IATA DGR for Air Transport

• By Sea – using the current edition of the IMDG Code for Sea Transport

For all three modes of transport it is imperative that proper packaging, labelling & marking and documenting is done in order to ship it safely and compliant.

It is your responsibility, as the shipper, to ensure DG’s are correctly declared, packed and labelled, with the right DG documentation. This will incur extra surcharges as DG’s require special transport and handling services when shipping.

ORP DG PRO can assist you with all this to make you sure the handling of your DG shipment goes as smooth as possible and being safe and compliant.  Contact us on [email protected]. 

The requirements for (use of) UN tested and approved packagings, as well as the format and marking of UN packaging is not always easy to understand. DG approved packaging requirements and compliance come into play with all modes of transport.

For example, the year and month of manufacture plays a role in the usability of a UN approved plastic jerrycan or drum. Where indicated by the regulations, your dangerous goods must be packaged in UN approved packaging.

When dangerous goods are not in compliant packaging this may mean re-packaging the item into compliant packaging. ORP DG PRO can provide you with a review and provide advice on your packaging, as well as provide UN approved packing services.

The requirements for (use of) UN specification packagings, as well as the format and marking of UN packaging is not always easy to understand. DG approved packaging requirements and compliance come into play with all modes of transport.

For example, the year and month of manufacture plays a role in the usability of a UN approved plastic jerrycan or drum. Where indicated by the regulations, your dangerous goods must be packaged in UN approved packaging.

When dangerous goods are not in compliant packaging this may mean re-packaging the item into compliant packaging. ORP DG PRO can provide you with a review and provide advice on your packaging, as well as provide UN approved packing services.

Incidents or accidents during dangerous goods transport can be caused by inappropriate packaging, packing, labelling and marking. Knowledge sharing and compliant packing services are part of our core values and encompass our goal of working towards more understanding regarding transport of dangerous goods. When it comes to packing and repacking, there are several types of services we can offer you:

1. Packing, marking & labelling, documenting by ORP DG PRO

Handling, Packing, marking & Labelling, documenting is completed by ORP DG PRO, with ORP DG PRO also taking over the liability for those shipments.

2. Packing, marking & labelling, documenting by the Shipper

If you like to stay completely in control, ORP DG PRO can provide you with all the necessary requirements to assist you with your dangerous goods transport requirements. This ranges from, but may not be limited to, training, consultancy, as well as supply of UN approved packaging, packing tape, dangerous goods labels and marks, absorbent material.

ORP DG PRO can even provide you with access to DG Office, our globally offered and used dangerous goods software package to create your dangerous goods documentation for all modes of transport, create Safety Data sheets, and etcetera.

Dangerous Goods Documentation, amongst other shipping documentation, needs to accompany shipments containing dangerous goods. The documentation informs the transport company and carrier about the presence of dangerous goods and what type of dangerous goods is present. In case of incidents, various parties including emergency services, have access to important information about the cargo.

ORP DG PRO’s specialists complete and sign the DG Declaration for transport according to the regulations on your behalf for the various modes of transport:

• IATA-DGR DG Declaration Air

• IMDG DG Declaration Sea

• ADGC DG Declaration Road & Rail

When you have successfully passed the training and testing requirements for the specific mode(s) of transport you are certified to complete the dangerous goods documentation yourself. By completing and signing the dangerous goods documentation you declare that the dangerous goods requirements have been fulfilled for the concerning mode of transport. This includes ensuring that the packing, packaging, marking & labelling is as per regulatory requirement. Never sign a dangerous goods declaration for cargo for which you are not 100% confident that the cargo complies with the requirements; once you have signed the dangerous goods declaration you are liable for any non-compliance irregularities.

If in doubt, call upon the experts of ORP DG PRO to assist you. When you engage ORP DG PRO to handle your Dangerous Goods, we assume all responsibilities and liabilities related to the safe transportation of those goods. ORP DG PRO carries a Global Comprehensive Liability Insurance Policy in case of an accident or incident related to the packing and documenting of the dangerous goods. All your DGs are in safe and compliant hands with us.

Absolutely! Together with you we can go over the requirements and assist you with meeting the requirements to ensure your regulatory compliance is looked after. Contact us if you’d like to discuss our involvement to look after your compliance.

Accepting responsibility, compliance and liability goes hand in hand with transporting Dangerous Goods. In order to reduce your liability, ORP DG PRO can check, accept, and approve dangerous goods on your behalf before they are moved further in the transport chain. For example:

• On-site inspection

• Cargo acceptance at airports

• Segregation checks at seaports

• Final load inspections