Truck and Track Spring 2021

Truck and Track Spring 2021 www.truckandtrack.com 62 DANGEROUS GOODS There are some products under ADR and IMDG that are problematical with elevated temperatures, and these are managed by refrigerated storage or refrigerated transport. Site planning when the heat is high Please ensure that no Hazardous or combustible materials are placed under direct sunlight, for the heat can make flammable material reach flash points, and a spark or even sunlight heating the material could cause ignition; as well as vapour pressure build- up which can result in rupturing drums, IBCs, cans etc. During my tenure as Managing Director of Hazchem Network, I recall a troublingsummerheatwave fromoneof ourmember depots who called our emergency response service [ www.hers-info.co.uk ] managed by the National Chemical Emergency Centre [NCEC] based in Harwell. A pallet of boxed Class 5.2 Organic Peroxide was found smouldering in their yard [a sign that it was about to ignite]. The depot was evacuated as a precaution as Fire and Rescue were called to bring the situation under control. Thankfully, the depot was organised so no one got hurt and the pallet was carefully cooled so it didn’t ignite or explode due to the heat of the day and exposure to direct sunlight. So please ensure no hazardous material is kept in direct sunlight [and away from combustible materials] and that you have checked your fire risk assessments, fire alarms, run [and documented] fire drills and informed staff of the risks presented by the hot weather. The classes that most pose elevated risks with heat / direct sunlight [but not restricted to] are denoted below, as containers can rupture andbecome a significant fire or spillage risk. These classesmust also be kept in a ventilated area to prevent the build-up of flammable or explosive vapours [in confined spaces]. Class 2Gas Cylinders –must be kept away fromdirect sunlight and in the shade, or under a [heat-resistant] canopy and placed in a well-ventilated area (away from combustible material). Class 3 Flammable Liquids – especially those of low flash point (e.g., Packing Group I) – must be kept away from direct sunlight, and stored in the shade and in a ventilated area (away from combustible material). Class 4 Flammable and Reactive Solids – these like Class 3, must be kept away from direct sunlight in the shade and in a ventilated area (away from combustible material). Class 5.1 Oxidising Agents and Class 5.2 Organic Peroxides – must be kept away from direct sunlight in the shade and in a ventilated are (away from combustible material). Other Classes such as Class 1 (Explosives), Class 7 (Radioactive) have special storage and transport requirements, while all other ADR Classes should also be kept away from Direct Sunlight and in the shade inwell ventilated areas, away fromcombustiblematerial – as heat / sunlight can make IBCs / drums / cans ‘bow’ as well as rupture causing a spillage, or release of flammable, harmful or toxic vapours. Adroit and monitored housekeeping on sites operating the logistics of dangerous goods is vital and depot sites must be free from combustiblematerial, due to potential fire risks such as overflowing bins, pallet debris, waste paper etc. Planning is essential whenwe face hot weather; something that we get rarely due to our climate - so we must remind all our staff of the effects of heat and direct sunlight on Hazardous Goods. Onemajor issue I have witnessed that can lead to problems is when the manufacturing / consignor or logistics operator’s warehouse staff place ADR consignments in the yard, on a sunny day, waiting for the assigned vehicle to collect the goods. If the material is left exposed to direct sunlight for a significant time, the hazards we mention will be enhanced, when the material is loaded onto the vehicle. Let’s all hope for good weather this Summer, but if you are working with Chemicals, please ensure you and your team[s] are prepared for what sunlight and direct heat can do to ADR classified material. If you have any queries, please contact your Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor [DGSA] in the first instance, with links for further help below: Chemistry Teacher / Chemicals & Logistics Consultant Ali S KarimBSc FRSC CChemCSci Tel: 07812 584 249 Email: akarim1462@aol.com Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ali-karim-37756311 Logistics throughout Scotland GordonMcLellan or JohnMcLellan Email: Gordon@keedwellscotland.co.uk OR John@keedwellscotland.co.uk Tel: 0141 771 9911 www.keedwellscotland.co.uk Logistics outside of Scotland andMainland Europe John Donovan or Ellis Blackham Mobile: +44 (0) 7500 425283 Landline: +44 (0) 1384 221 642 Email: ellis.blackham@jjxlogistics.co.uk www.jjxlogistics.co.uk OR HazchemNetwork Director Gary Cane [England, Wales & Ireland] Tel: 07909 685 628 Email: gary@hazmail.co.uk www.hazchemnetwork.co.uk an d www.hers-info.co.uk Regulatory Compliance, Documentation and Labelling Richard Shreeve of Labeline Tel: 07825 748962 Email: compliance@labeline.com www.labeline.com Training Services Bob Carter of Cargo Training International Ltd Tel: 01932 769682 Fax: 01932 771475 Email: sales@cargotraining.com Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser [DGSA] Services John Newsome of Len Hall Chemical Consultants Ltd Tel: 01422 843202 Mobile: 07503 833382 Email: john@lenhallcc.co.uk www.lenhallcc.co.uk © 2021 A S Karim Oxidiser TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TO ALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk