Regulation PM-11.0: Dangerous Goods

11.1 GeneralRequirements

11.2 Operational Precautions

11.2.1 General requirements

11.2.2 Training

11.2.3 Control of entry and presence

11.2.4 Notification of dangerous goods

11.2.5 Checking the information

11.2.6 Checking of packaged dangerous goods

11.3 Loading, Discharging and Storage of Dangerous Goods

11.4 Emergency Arrangements in the Port Area

11.5 Special Provisions

11.6 Leaking Container

11.6.1 Authorization for Hazmat/ Cross stuffing/ Rework operation Operations

11.6.2 Waste Disposal

11.1 General Requirements

Many cargoes transported in packages have hazardous properties that could cause fire and explosion, injuries or environmental damage. Emergencies could occur anywhere in the transportation chain. However, as a result of internationally recognized rules for carriage by sea, which have applied since 1965, millions of tonnes of dangerous goods are safely handled at ports every year.

11.2 Operational Precautions

11.2.1 General requirements

  1. Adequate controls over the entry, presence and consequential handling of all types of dangerous goods shall be in place for the safety of port workers.
  1. The authority responsible for the port area shall be legally able to devise, apply and enforce appropriate rules and standards. International guidance can be found in the IMO.s Recommendations on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Cargoes and related Activities in Port Areas.
  1. The regulatory authorities, port management, berth operators, shipping companies and port workers all variously have responsibilities. In addition, the many and various organizations that may be involved with dangerous cargoes even before they reach the port area and ship have a crucial role to play in the ultimate safe handling and transportation. This group includes shippers, packers, those concerned with documentation, consolidators and forwarding agents, collectively called .cargo interests., and all relevant provisions concerning the safety of dangerous goods in the port area shall apply to them.
  1. The port operators within the port limits shall designate the berths, wharves, sheds and warehouses reserved for dangerous goods. Additionally, the port operators shall determine the waiting time of such goods between the ships and storage areas and carriers and the maximum quantities of dangerous goods that can be taken to port area and take the necessary fire, environment and security precautions.
  1. Port operators inform these matters to the interested bodies with a communiqué approved by the Harbour Master.
  1. If the port operators can not designate means of storage in the port area, the receiver of cargo ensures the transportation of this substance to out of the port in the shortest possible time.
  1. A separate anchorage area is determined for ships carrying dangerous goods and this anchorage is kept clear from other ships.
  1. The dangerous goods with a flashpoint of less than 60o C might be loaded or discharged in the port areas reserved to themselves during daytime.
  1. A dedicated container storage area is provided by the port operators for the dangerous goods loaded or discharged in containers in ports. No other containers other than dangerous goods are stored in this container storage area and the necessary security precautions (fire, environmental safety and similar) are taken in the storage area.
  1. The flammable goods shall be kept away from spark producing resources and no spark producing equipment or appliance to be operated within the designated dangerous area.
  1. The dangerous goods shall be packaged in an adequate manner and information describing the dangerous good and regarding the risk and safety precautions to be provided on the package.
  1. The port stevedore labour and seamen related with dangerous cargo shall wear protective clothing during handling and storing.
  1. The fire fighter persons in dangerous cargo area shall be equipped with firemen outfits and fire extinguishers and first aid units and equipment shall be kept ready for immediate use.

11.2.2 Training

  1. All persons involved with the transport of dangerous goods shall be appropriately trained (mandatory from 1st January 2010 with reference to IMDG 2008). Such persons include persons employed by regulatory authorities, shipping companies and cargo interests, as well as port management, supervisors and portworkers.
  1. All persons shall receive training appropriate to their duties. Different training will be appropriate for different groups of port workers.
  1. Not everybody shall attend the same course. Training shall be tailored according to the responsibilities and involvement of the persons concerned. For example, very few persons in the port will need to know the entire IMDG Code, although everyone needs to know the part or parts that apply specifically to their work and the relevant port and company rules or instructions and safe systems of work.
  1. Specific training on the action to be taken in an emergency involving dangerous goods shall be given in addition to the appropriate general awareness and familiarization and function-specific training.
  1. The general training shall be designed to provide familiarity with the general hazards of the dangerous cargoes handled and the relevant legal requirements. This shall include a description of the classes of dangerous goods and their marking, labelling,placarding, packing and segregation, documentation and emergency response procedures.
  1. All port workers shall receive training and instructions on the action they shall take in the event of a spillage or other release of dangerous goods.
  1. The training shall be ongoing and periodically supplemented with retraining, as necessary.
  1. IMDG Training shall be taken from EHS-Trakhees approved training institute or other recognized training institute by approved by relevant authorities
  2. Training record shall be available for IMDG training under taken by all concerned.

11.2.3 Control of entry and presence

  1. The entry of dangerous goods into port areas by any mode of transport shall be controlled.
  1. The port authority shall determine any restrictions that may be necessary on .

a)classes or quantities of dangerous goods that may be brought into or be present in the port area;

b)conditions under which dangerous goods may be present or handled.

  1. The port authority shall be empowered to prohibit the entry of dangerous cargoes for keeping or storage within, or transit through, the port area if it is considered that their presence would endanger life or property because of their condition, the condition of their containment, the condition of their mode of transport or the conditions in the port area.

Note 1: .Keeping. refers to cargoes that are present in a port area after being taken off one means of transport and awaiting the next means of transport to take them on their consigned journey. .Storage. refers to cargoes that are held in the port area awaiting further instructions concerning their sale and/or onward delivery.

Note 2: .Transit. refers to goods that are destined for another port and are due to remain on board the ship while in the port area.

  1. The port authority shall also be able to remove or require the removal of any dangerous goods or any ship, package, freight container, tank container, portable tank, vehicle or other cargo transport unit containing such goods within the port area that constitutes an unacceptable hazard by reason of their condition or that of their containment.

11.2.4 Notification of dangerous goods

  1. The port authority shall be notified before dangerous goods are brought into the port area.
  1. Unstable substances shall not be accepted unless all necessary conditions to ensure safety have been specified and met.
  2. The notice required shall generally be not less than 24 hours. Special arrangements may need to be made for short voyages and for certain modes of transport, categories and/or quantities of dangerous goods.
  1. The notification shall include the information specified in Annex 1 of the IMO’s Recommendations on the Safe Transport of Dangerous Cargoes and Related Activities in Port Areas.
  1. Notification of dangerous goods carried by inward-bound ships shall be made by the master, the ship-owner or his or her agent. Notification of such goods carried by land based means of transport shall be made in accordance with national legal requirements.
  1. The method of notification and the authority to which it shall be sent shall be determined by the port authority.
  1. The port authority shall make arrangements for the receipt, checking and assessment of notifications.
  1. The port authority shall be notified of the dangerous goods on board a ship before its departure. Generally not less than three hours. notice shall be given.

11.2.5 Checking the information

  1. When notifications of incoming dangerous goods are received, it is important to check that .

a)the goods can be handled safely while they are in the port area;

b)they are correctly identified and declared;

c)they will be kept at an appropriate location;

d)any special arrangements, including emergency arrangements, are made.

  1. The terminal operator shall ensure that .

a)packaged dangerous goods entering the terminal have been declared in accordance with national legal requirements as properly identified, packaged, marked, labelled or placarded in accordance with the IMDG Code;

b)the information supplied by the ship and by cargo interests is verified and, as far as can be ascertained, correct.

  1. Packaged dangerous goods entering from the shore side shall be physically checked at the port or terminal entrance or some other area designated for the purpose to ensure that the correct labels, placards and other external attachments required by theIMDG Code are all present and correct.
  1. The checks shall be carried out continuously throughout the operational hours of the port. The procedures shall include the action to be taken if the documentation or labels/placards, etc., are found to be incorrect. Dangerous goods shall not be allowed togo further along the transportation chain until any problems have been corrected or clarified.

11.2.6 Checking of packaged dangerous goods

  1. On receipt of the documentation, checks shall be made on the accuracy of the contents. This shall Confirm that the proper shipping name and UN number are consistent. The container or vehicle packing certificate shall be completed, where relevant, and both the certificate and the declaration have been signed.
  1. The procedures shall ensure that those concerned know what action shall betaken in the event that the information is not fully correct.
  1. When the vehicle arrives at the port or terminal, a check shall be made that the placards, signs and marks are affixed to the outside of the vehicle or container in the required numbers and positions.

11.3 Loading, Discharging and Storage of Dangerous Goods

  1. The terminal operator shall ensure that dangerous goods are stowed safely, taking into account any segregation required by incompatible cargoes. The general segregation rules contained in the IMDG Code shall be used for this purpose. However, any other suitable standard may be used, provided that it is effective and that all those concerned with its operation are aware of its provisions.
  1. Dangerous goods may be kept in specified areas in sheds, warehouses or on the terminal, or with other cargo. Any of these options may be acceptable, but in each case proper segregation rules shall be applied
  1. In remote areas, less stringent requirements may be acceptable, but in areas sited near housing, chemical plants or tank farms, more stringent stowage and segregation requirements may be necessary.
  1. Irrespective of any other requirements, special care shall be taken when handling dangerous goods, whether manually, by lifting appliance or by internal movement vehicle.
  1. Class 1 explosives, other than those in Division 1.4S, and Class 6.2 (Infectious Substances) dangerous goods (in the United Nations system of classification) shall only be permitted to enter the port area for direct shipment or delivery.
  1. Special procedures shall be drawn up for the transport and handling of explosives. These shall take into account the hazards involved, the number of people in the vicinity and the precautions set out in the IMDG Code.
  1. The terminal operator shall ensure that areas where packages of dangerous goods are kept are properly supervised and that such goods are regularly inspected for signs of leakage or damage. Leaking packages shall only be handled under the supervision of a responsible person.
  1. Nobody shall be permitted to open or otherwise interfere with any freight container, tank container, portable tank or vehicle containing dangerous goods without due authorization.
  1. Requirements as per cargo class shall be as stated

a)Class (1) Explosives

Ships carrying explosives and goods containing more than 500 grams of explosive substances can not berth to quays and berths, but transhipment is carried out between ships or to marine craft in designated areas within the port. Explosives and goods containing explosive mixtures transhipped to ships or marine craft are loaded or discharged from berths or quays designated to such purposes outside of the city. The quantities of explosives or explosive mixtures loaded or discharged from assigned berths or quays can not exceed 5 tonnes, loading and discharging can not be undertaken at the same time or ships aboard one another, can not wait and can not be stored on the berths or quays.

Such goods may be carried, provided that they are in special craft and containers, to special warehouses with safety measures taken which are mutually determined by Harbour Master, port managements, and Municipality

b)Class (2) Gases

Gases may be temporarily stored in special tanks or containers in reserved port areas.

Transfer of liquefied gases (by cooling) between tanks or containers may be undertaken after the special permission by Harbour Master.

Separate classes of gases shall be carried in separate ship compartments or tanks. Loading and discharging of gases shall be done by fixed pipes or single piece hoses and spark or friction causing equipment like cranes winches or similar shall not be present in vicinity of the berth area. Such goods shall be loaded to and discharged from railway cars or tankers after special precautions are taken. In the port terminals reserved for gases, not more than one ship in the same berth shall be loaded or discharged. .

Berths, quays and port storage areas shall be equipped with effective fire detection, prevention and extinguishing systems

c)Class (3) Flammable Liquids

Liquids or liquid mixtures emitting flammable vapours at 60 °C or lower temperatures or liquids having dissolved or suspended flammable solids may temporarily be stored in containers in special port areas and may be loaded to or discharged from ships and land craft

In the loading and discharging of such goods and in the land storage areas, dry powder fire extinguishers or similar systems shall be used

d)Class (4) Flammable Solid Goods

Flammable and combustible goods and substances emitting flammable vapours when in contact with water may temporarily be stored in special port areas, may be loaded to or discharged from ships and land craft and may be transported within port area.

Flammable solids containing celluloses and 500 grams or more spontaneously combustible articles can not be stored within the port area. In the storage of flammable solid goods within the port area, precautions to prevent stowage and area fires shall be taken. Flammable goods with damaged packages are removed from port areas.

Goods like fish flour and oil cakes are not subject to these requirements.

e)Class (5) Oxidizing Goods

Such substances that may enter to dangerous reactions with other substances and although themselves are not flammable, by emitting oxygen, may cause or assist other substances to burn may temporarily be stored in open or closed port areas and may be loaded to or discharged from ships and land craft directly.

Nonetheless, for organic peroxides, the storage, loading and discharging quantity in the port can not exceed 30 tons. Loading and discharging more than such quantity is done outside of the port area by transhipment.

f)Class (6) Poisonous and Contagious Substances

Such substances, containing micro organisms causing death, serious illnesses or contagious diseases when swallowed, breathed or contacted, may be stored in sealed containers in special port areas after taking special precautions and may be loaded to or discharged from ships. Such goods with a flashpoint of 60o C or lower are treated as flammable liquids.

g)Class (7) Radioactive Substances

Ships carrying the radioactive substances with mass unit activities more than 70 Bq/Kg or compositions or mixtures containing such radioactive substances may load or discharge provided that they document, before entering to the port, that the packaging of radioactive substances are done in an environmentally safe way. Radioactive substances can not be stored within the port area and removed in shortest possible time.

h)Class (8) Corrosive Substances

Such articles, irritating skin in their solid or liquid form, may be stored in open weather, special warehouses or normal storage sheds provided that they are in special packages and may directly be loaded to or discharged from ships. Goods with damaged packages are removed from port areas.

Loading and discharging of such goods to railway cars and to land or sea tankers is subject to special permission.

i)Class (9) Various Dangerous Goods

Substances other than above mentioned classes of dangerous goods, that are determined to be dangerous with experience or their dangers realized later or relatively less dangerous substances may be stored in the port area with precautions taken in accordance with their specifications, and may be loaded to or discharged from ships.

J) Marine pollutants mark

The IMDG Code requirements for the type of symbol (officially called a ”mark”) applied to dangerous goods that are marine pollutants are changed from the triangle with a crossed-out fish symbol (often called the “fish and chips” mark) to the new environmentally-hazardous symbol (often referred to as the “fish and tree” diamond mark).