Article written by Srinivasan Raman and originally published on My Logistics Magazine

“Compliance of various regulations for the transportation of Dangerous Goods is an important concern which requires adequate knowledge, skill etc.   These regulations have been laid down by the experts who have working experience and have executed safety measures in handling, storage, loading and transportation of Dangerous Goods through various regulations.

When transporting dangerous goods, operators exercise huge responsibility. In addition, the current transport environment puts the carriers and drivers transporting dangerous goods under a stronger enforcement magnifying glass. Doing things appropriately in compliance with the regulations is essential for everyone’s safety and for continued success of the business.

The Dangerous Goods Regulations are updated and revised by ICAO, IMO and UNECE periodically. The regulations drawn by these agencies (i.e. IATAs Dangerous Goods Regulations, IMOs IMDG Code and UNECEs ADR and RID regulations) are the authorised documents that are required to be followed by the shippers, cargo agents and who are involved in the supply chain of dangerous goods. Periodical training in dangerous goods regulations is essential for the companies handling cargo, courier and mail.

There are also agencies who are not directly involved with dangerous goods. The United Nations Committee of Experts in Transport of Dangerous Goods  have classified Freight Forwarders into two categories –  Those who are not involved in processing Dangerous Goods and  Those who are involved in processing Dangerous Goods. The ones who are not involved in dangerous goods are also required to comply with the training requirement.

It is very important that up-to-date knowledge and changes in the regulation are kept in mind by the appropriate agencies handling dangerous goods for effective results and also to avoid any negative results like delay, warnings, fines etc.

Also, because of the inherent danger of dangerous goods, non-compliance can result in incidents producing injuries, deaths and even a catastrophe. This is why compliance with the Dangerous Goods regulations is so important.

It has been seen that there are companies that are involved in handling of personal baggage (unaccompanied), household goods and other material, without realizing the possible existence of commodities that may prove dangerous during transportation, still are not in compliance or not have been trained. Undeclared and mis-declared shipments are on a rise as a result of this.

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program must be enforced by all. Using the collected data the safety performance may be judged. This will hold carriers and drivers accountable for their safety performance, which includes Dangerous Goods.

As one can see that it is inevitable for adhering to the regulations and complying with them when hauling Dangerous Goods. This increases safety measure and also contributes to the continued success of the business.

These aspects are not the sudden inspired thoughts of an individual or an organization but the evolution of a system through the continuous efforts of a Global system with the collective wisdom of the various experts who learn from the past and are vigilant about the present and visualize futuristically.”

Srinivasan Raman

Srini (as widely known in the industry) brings with him a cosmic experience in air cargo. He started his career in aviation in the year 2001 with Royal Jordanian airlines as a cargo service agent at New Delhi, India and commenced his teaching as an instructor in air cargo fundamentals in 2003. His expertise is in handling of air cargo, with specialization in the handling and transportation of special cargo and in particular Dangerous Goods.

 He is also qualified in the Code of Federal Regulations – Title 49 (49 CFR) in the International Transport of Dangerous Goods. Apart from air transport, he is equally adept in the Maritime, Road and Rail transport of Dangerous Goods.