Experts traditionally refer to dangerous goods as those substances and materials that pose a real threat to human life and health. These are flammable products (such as oil, gas, etc.), and toxic substances (for example, industrial waste, nuclear, etc.), and oxidizing products that can destroy everything around them in a matter of minutes. True, if the rules for their storage and, of course, transportation are observed, problems can be avoided. But for this it is very clearly necessary to follow the instructions.
Despite the potential threat, according to statistics, it is dangerous goods that are the most frequently transported type of cargo. They are transported both by plane and by train. But most often, vehicles are used for transportation. Considering the unstable situation on the roads of Russia, one can imagine how carefully and literally it is necessary to follow the rules of transportation.
Classification of goods according to the degree of their danger
Before forming a road train, it is imperative to classify the transported product. Firstly, the relevant documents will be needed in the event of an unscheduled inspection of the car by the traffic police. Secondly, it will help to more accurately determine the conditions of carriage. So, cargoes are divided according to their physical and chemical properties, as well as by types and degree of danger. After all, weapons transported in an inert state are less dangerous than liquefied gas in a tank. Everything must be consistent with GOST. Experts identify 9 potentially dangerous classes of cargo, which, in turn, can be successfully subdivided into other categories. The list includes:
- 1st class: explosives that can cause a fire as a result of an explosion (mainly various pyrotechnic materials and products);
- 2nd class: liquefied gases, including aerosols;
- Class 3: flammable liquids and suspensions with flammable vapors;
- Class 4: flammable materials that can ignite from an external source of heating (this does not include those classified as explosive);
- 5th class: substances that cause oxidation, capable of releasing oxygen and supporting combustion, as well as those that, when favorable conditions are created for them, can spontaneously ignite and explode;
- Class 6: poisonous substances and various products of an infectious nature (capable of causing death and mass infection of the population);
- 7th class: radioactive substances;
- 8 class: caustic and corrosive substances;
- Class 9 - substances with a reduced hazard level during transportation, which cannot be fully attributed to any of the types listed above.
Naturally, in each case, it is necessary to comply with special rules of transportation, which include the limitation of the speed limit, and the availability of specially equipped vehicles, and the presence of escorts, etc.
How to get a permit and license for the transport of dangerous goods
Naturally, the first person he meets from the street will not be allowed to transport such dangerous materials and substances. Therefore, such transportation is usually carried out by entire companies that have successfully passed licensing in the relevant authorities. And it is in their interests to make sure that the license does not expire. Otherwise, if there is a check, the company will face very big troubles.
To transport dangerous goods along a particular route, you must also go through a whole procedure to obtain all the necessary permits and approvals. So, for example, if you are going to send a dangerous cargo by road (or want to receive such a cargo), it is imperative to obtain an appropriate permit for transportation from the internal affairs bodies at the location of the cargo. To do this, you need to submit an application to the Department of Internal Affairs at the place of acceptance of the cargo, indicating the following data:
- Shipping Name;
- quantity or volume;
- transportation route;
- who is the responsible person for transportation;
- the number of persons accompanying and guarding the cargo.
At the same time, all this information must be supported by appropriate documents: an emergency card of the hazard information system (this is usually placed on the car's license plate), a route sheet (necessarily agreed with both the consignor and the consignee), a certificate of admission of the vehicle to travel on the road network countries and the permission of this car to transport dangerous goods (after all, not every car is designed for such purposes). All necessary marks must be affixed to the router. It should also be borne in mind that when transporting nuclear materials, you will have to obtain additional permission from the RF Gosatomnadzor.
Remember that the permit is issued for a period of six months. Therefore, you should not be puzzled in advance by the acquisition of such permits for a year in advance. And this is despite the fact that they are not so easy to form.
Choosing a suitable route
It is a mistake to think that a truck with a dangerous cargo can safely follow all the main highways of the country. In fact, for such transport, the route is selected individually and must necessarily meet certain requirements and standards. The development of the optimal path of movement should be dealt with by the traffic police.
The following factors are among the requirements that must be met. There should be no major industrial facilities adjacent to the route of a dangerous goods road carrier. In addition, the carrier cannot cross public recreation areas, protected areas and other protected areas. Also, along the entire route, the driver's rest areas and gas stations should be taken into account. It should also be remembered that the route cannot pass through large settlements. If the need to enter the city remains, the route should be laid away from places of mass gathering of people - entertainment establishments, cultural and educational, educational, medical, etc.
To agree on everything, it is necessary to submit a fully scheduled route sheet to the traffic safety authorities at least 10 days before the start of transportation. If circumstances have changed, or the route sheet needs to be adjusted, it is imperative to coordinate the new project with the internal affairs bodies. The permit is issued in three copies, one of which remains with the traffic police, the other - with the transport organization, the third - with the person responsible for the cargo.
Rules for loading and unloading, as well as the carriage of dangerous goods
All loading and unloading operations are very strictly regulated. Control over them should be carried out by a person who has been chosen as the responsible person. In the absence of such - the representative of the shipper and the driver of the vehicle. You can load the car up to its full carrying capacity - the volume must be specified in the special instructions for the trip. All safety measures must be followed - no jolts, jerks, impacts when moving the load onto the machine. Operations that can generate sparks should also be avoided. The car engine must be turned off at the time of loading or unloading. In addition, it should be remembered that dangerous goods can only be accepted or handed over at special posts. Loading or unloading hazardous substances is prohibited if there is any damage to the container or vehicle.
In addition to the rules for loading and unloading, the rules of the transportation itself are strictly regulated. So, for example, the driver must very clearly observe the speed limit, which was personally determined for him by the internal affairs bodies, taking into account the location of transportation and road conditions. Transportation must guarantee the safety of both the cargo and the environment.
Rest parks for drivers in settlements are prohibited. As a rule, special places are determined for this, which are located no closer than 200 meters from crowded places. When stopping for rest, the driver must apply the parking brake. If there is a slope on the ground, it is necessary to additionally place wheel chocks under the wheels.
There must be a reserve of fuel for a distance of at least 500 km. If it is supposed to move along the route for more than this distance, it is necessary to equip the car with an additional refueling tank (this procedure must also be agreed with the traffic police).
If you follow all the rules of transportation and go through all the approvals, the transportation of even dangerous goods will be quite safe and not so difficult.
