TIPS FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SHIPPING OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (GOODS).

Many business owners jump straight into nationwide and international shipments, even with potentially hazardous goods. Yet with your venture being liable if things go wrong, it is necessary to continuously look for ways to ensure package arrive at their destination safely and effectively.

Here are some of the tips you can follow to get clear on what qualifies as DANGEROUS GOODS.

Dangerous/ hazardous goods are items with some inherent properties which if not controlled in the right way, may present a potential hazard to human health, safety and environment. Dangerous goods can come in a variety of forms, including liquids, solids or gases, they may be cold or hot and odorless /pungent. The effects they have can be fatal or minimal. Dangerous goods can be classified according to whether or not they are poisonous, flammable, and explosive or have the tendency/capacity to present some other type of hazard. Examples of dangerous goods include lithium batteries (phone and laptop batteries), spray, aerosols, paints, varnishes, perfumes etc. There are many different types of risks and various regulations surrounding the transportation of items in different categories.

Furthermore, remember that different countries have different rules about hazardous/ dangerous materials. This means you need to find out about the regulation at the destination where you are shipping item, just because some items may not be seen as dangerous in your part of the world does not mean that it will be considered the same elsewhere.

TIPS TO GUIDE YOU DURING SHIPPING

• USE PROPER PACKAGING

Once you are sure that the item is dangerous goods, you can take the following steps

Ø  It should be properly handled and packaged by someone with a piece of good knowledge in handling dangerous goods during transport.

Ø  Safety measure should be taken to protect people and the environment.

Ø  Appropriate containers should be used according to its contents.

Ø  It should be properly closed in containers and guided with cushions.

Ø  Use absorbent materials to contain any leakage.

• PUT DETAILED PROCESSSES IN PLACE

To ensure the dangerous item are handled and packaged properly each time, put detailed processes in place for people to follow. This will reduce the risks of things going wrong, for example, all dangerous goods must be labeled appropriately.

If you are not sure whether your goods are dangerous or not, ask the manufacturer or supplier for material safety data sheet (MSDS) if it contains NU number it is dangerous goods.