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Truck and Track

March/April 2018

www.truckandtrack.com

50

DANGEROUS GOODS

Hazard labels and handling marks are designed to

minimise the risk posed by dangerous goods. They

give information about the products to those who

are handling and transporting them and, should

an incident occur, the labels help emergency

responders to rapidly determine the best corrective

action to take.

It is logical, therefore, that there are standard

parameters for the specification, quality and properties

of labels and marks included in the dangerous goods

regulations for each mode of transport, namely ADR

(road), RID (rail), IATA DGR/ICAO TI (air) and IMDG (sea).

Properties of Labels

Both ADR and RID (5.2.2.2.1.7) state: “All labels shall be able to

withstand open weather exposure without a substantial reduction

in effectiveness.” Similar text applies in ADR, RID and IATA DGR for

identifications marks, such as OVERPACK, SALVAGE, address labels ,

UN number, Proper Shipping Name etc.

ADR and RID (5.3.2.2.1) also specify the properties of vehicle

placards: “The material used shall be weather-resistant and ensure

durable marking.”

IATA DGR (7.2.2.1) states: “The material of every label, the printing

andanyadhesive thereon,must be sufficientlydurable towithstand

normal transport conditions including open weather exposure

without a substantial reduction in effectiveness.”

Understandably, the IMDG Code is more demanding

(5.2.2.2.1.7): “The method of affixing the label(s) or

applying stencil(s) of label(s) on packages containing

dangerous goods shall be such that the label(s)

or stencil(s) will still be identifiable on packages

surviving at least threemonths’ immersion in the sea.

In considering suitable labelling methods, account

shall be taken of the durability of the packaging

materials used and the surface of the package.”

The requirement to withstand three month’s

immersion in the sea is repeated in the IMDG Code

to cover marks on packaged goods (5.2.1.2.2) as

well as placards and marks on cargo transport units

(5.3.1.1.1.2 and elsewhere).

One way of ensuring that your labels and marks are likely to

comply with the above requirements is to make sure that they are

certified to BS5609. This is a globally-recognised specification to

test printed pressure-sensitive, adhesive-coated labels for their

adhesive properties and resistance to abrasion and sunlight. Labels

are tested offshore on aluminium plates to the requirements of the

IMDG code. Of course, to get themaximumadhesion, it is important

that labels are applied to a clean, dry and suitable substrate.

At Labeline, our labels are BS5609 compliant, however we are

fortunate to be situated on the banks of the Tor-Torridge estuary and

this gives us the opportunity to go one further and test our labels on

a variety of substrates. We hang the articles into the estuary were

they are dragged through the sand in a strong tidal environment

and exposed to all weathers.

Hazard Labels:

The cheapest element of a Dangerous Goods

shipment - or the most costly?

Richard Shreeve, Compliance Manager at Labeline International, highlights the importance of

specifying compliant labels and marks for dangerous goods shipments

Richard Shreeve

New LithiumBattery Handling Mark

Class 3 Hazard Label

The Tor-Torridge Estuary just outside Labeline’s HQ

OrientationMark