Truck and Track
March/April 2018
www.truckandtrack.com50
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