Safe and reliable shipping practices are an important part of every successful organization. The way in which a product is transported however, is of particular concern when dangerous goods are involved. The question that many business owners have is, “which of my products qualify as dangerous goods?”
Our dangerous goods consultants at CARGOpak Corp. have educated hundreds of professional teams on how to ship hazardous materials in a responsible, and legally-compliant way. Over the years, our team has worked with medical laboratories, retail stores, construction companies, and many other types of businesses to ensure appropriate shipping of all hazmat products. Continue reading to learn about some of the most common dangerous goods that come across our desks.
Biological test samples
Preparing a diagnostic sample must be done with the utmost care. If a sample leaks during shipment it could have serious implications and could jepordize patients' health by causing delays as well as hefty remediation costs and possible fines.
Healthcare workers all over the world continue to be responsible for facilitating the shipment of millions of antigenic and PCR tests every day. Whether it involves Category A Infectious materials or Category B Biological substances, sample shipping involves careful packing, identifying, labelling and securing the shipping container. Accordingly, our dangerous goods consultants have received webinar requests from testing facilities both in the United States and other parts of the world.
DG in machinery
Some projects require equipment that might be considered dangerous e.g. diesel engines. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to find such machinery in your area. With the help of a hazmat consultant, it is possible for equipment producers to ship such articles as cars, pressure washers and engine components. This type of machinery can be extremely dangerous if it is not prepared and secured for transport. All of this information can be customized for your specific needs in our custom webinars.
Ethanol
With the Covid-19 pandemic, sanitizing products containing Ethanol are frequently shipped across the globe, many business owners mistakenly believe that such substances are not considered dangerous goods. This however, is a misconception, as Ethyl alcohol is highly flammable, and could be toxic depending on the product.
For example, if a package containing de-natured alcohol is mislabelled, and subsequently ingested, the consumer may face serious health problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, de-natured alcohol has been shipped in higher quantities than ever in the form of hand sanitizer. It is no surprise then, that more and more businesses are seeking out dangerous goods consulting services.
Lithium batteries
Lithium batteries are highly dangerous and could easily combust if mishandled or packed improperly. Because of this, businesses that ship lithium batteries throughout the world are legally required to declare the contents of their shipping containers using a standard form called a DG Declaration. Additionally, lithium batteries must be labelled and inspected by trained professionals prior to shipping. Our consultants will ensure your team understands all the steps required to ship these dangerous goods.
Radioactive material
Many consumers are surprised to learn how many household products contain radioactive material. Most televisions and computer monitors run on ionizing radiation. Similarly, the average smoke detector contains a radioactive component called americium-241.
Many furniture and home hardware companies in the United States lack experience shipping radioactive materials. This can result in a serious safety hazard every time the company ships such products to their customers. Not only do our clients learn how to ship dangerous goods, but we will also teach your team how to identify potential dangers in your current stock.
To learn more about the dangerous goods that our consultants specialize in, do not hesitate to contact us by phone or by filling out our online form.
