One of the biggest challenges for companies handling or shipping dangerous goods is operating in line with regulations and safety requirements. The rules and regulations around dangerous goods internationally have certain distinct requirements. Shipping by internationally by vessel requires compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and offering Dangerous Goods by air requires compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. This is compounded with the airline industry standards of the International Airline Transport Association's Dangerous Goods Regulations. Domestically in the United States full compliance whether by vessel, rail, air or truck, the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 must be included. Untangling these rules can quickly lead to a logistical nightmare. That’s where our dangerous goods training and consultancy come in.
If your business deals in the shipping of hazardous items, you should already know that your employees must undergo special training. If you didn't, here are three reasons why your business needs dangerous goods training.
1. To properly safeguard against health & safety risks
By definition, hazardous materials pose a significant risk to health, safety and the environment. These types of goods can be corrosive, explosive, flammable, poisonous, infectious or radioactive in nature. Some hazardous items have two or more of these qualities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that over three billion tons of regulated hazardous materials are transported across the US annually. Imagine if even 1% of this number was shipped or stored improperly — or worse, if they fell into the wrong hands. The effects can be disastrous, widespread, and long-lasting.
As the business owner, the last thing you want is to be held liable in any of these scenarios. That’s why it’s important to understand all the necessary measures to put in place for mitigating any of the risks associated with shipping or handling dangerous goods.
2. To protect the environment
This goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. Dangerous Goods pose a huge risk to the environment if not properly handled, especially during transit. You might recall the 1991 Cantara chemical spill in which a tank car slipped off its rails and spilled thousands of gallons of the soil fumigant metam sodium into the Sacramento River.
Dubbed the ‘largest chemical spill in California history,’ the effects of the incident were devastating to the local ecosystem in and around the Sacramento River. Fish, trees, even humans in the vicinity were affected. This unfortunate accident crippled the local economy, especially in the areas of fishing and tourism.
Now that the call for environmentally friendly business practices is being echoed on a global level, you can’t afford to take any chances when shipping dangerous goods. Make sure your team has the training it needs to do its job today.
3. To have an emergency plan in place to protect your employees, clients, and business facilities
Even with the best training in the world, emergencies can still occur. However, in most cases, the difference between a minor accident and a full-blown disaster comes down to how quickly your team responds to the situation.
Dangerous goods training can help you establish company-wide emergency plans and procedures. This way, your team knows what to do should an emergency arise. Not only will this protect them and your business facilities, but it also sends a strong message to your clients that their wellbeing is of paramount concern, as it rightly should be.
Sign up for dangerous goods training and consultancy with CARGOpak Corp.
CARGOpak Corp. has been in the business for over 25 years, providing hazardous materials training and consulting services for clients across different verticals. We provide tailored training programs for shipping through different modes of transportation and for multiple different products. Our team can also provide guidance on shipping COVID-19 related items, including hand sanitizers, testing kits, face masks, and more.
For our clients’ convenience, we offer two kinds of training programs — live webinars and on-site training. Participants get a certificate of attendance after completing the training, which they can use to meet general hazmat compliance requirements.
Our consultancy services range from simple advice to helping your business secure your facility license and set up a complete dangerous goods management system. The CARGOpak Corp. team comprises experienced technical specialists who can innovate unique solutions and ensure your business remains compliant with all the regulations governing the shipping and handling of dangerous goods.
Fill out our assessment form now to get started
Shipping hazardous materials is complicated, even more so now that new regulations are being introduced to cover COVID-related items. Let CARGOpak Corp. help you stay ahead of these requirements today.
Fill out our needs assessment form now and tell us more about your business’s unique needs. If you’ve got any questions, please call us at (919) 217-7636 or send us an email at info@cargopak.com.
