Introduction to TDG: Part 1 Overview

Introduction to TDG

• The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act aims to promote public safety in handling and transporting dangerous goods across Canada via road, rail, air, and marine methods.
• An increase in dangerous goods transportation necessitates strict regulations due to the associated risks.

Significance of the TDG Act

• The Act and its regulations consist of 16 parts and 3 schedules, detailing safety standards and obligations.
• Major events, such as train incidents involving hazardous materials (e.g., vinyl chloride), underline the need for regulatory frameworks.

Regulation Breakdown

• Key components of the TDG Regulations include:
  • Exemptions
  • Classification of dangerous goods
  • Documentation requirements
  • Safety marks, labeling, and packaging protocols
  • Emergency response plans

Schedules within TDG Act

• Schedule 1: List of Dangerous Goods
• Schedule 2: Special Provisions
• Schedule 3: Alphabetical Index

Compliance and Enforcement

• Transport Canada inspectors assess businesses involved in dangerous goods to ensure regulations are followed.
• Inspections can result in immediate corrective actions and seizures of illegal shipments without a warrant.

Offences and Penalties

• Penalties for non-compliance can include:
  • Fines up to 50,000forthefirstoffenseand50,000 for the first offense and 50,000forthefirstoffenseand100,000 for subsequent offenses.
  • Imprisonment for up to two years.
  • Compensation claims up to $1,000,000 may be applied.
• Each day of violation counts as a separate offense; charges can be pursued within two years.

Inspection Statistics

• In fiscal year 2019-2020, the TDG conducted over 5,300 inspections, finding more than 5,000 instances of non-compliance.
• Various enforcement actions were initiated based on these findings, aiming to enhance safety measures.

Additional Regulatory Frameworks

• The USA’s hazmat regulations (CFR-49) have updated civil penalties for violations, emphasizing the seriousness of compliance in hazardous material contexts.

Dangerous Goods Classification

• Dangerous Goods are classified into 9 categories that pose hazards to health, safety, property, or the environment.
• Categories include Explosives, Gases, Flammable Liquids, Flammable Solids, Oxidizers, Toxic Substances, Radioactive Materials, Corrosives, and Miscellaneous Substances.

Responsibilities of the Consignor

• The consignor must ascertain the proper classification, which includes:
  • Shipping name
  • Hazard class
  • Identification number (four-digit numeric code with UN prefix)
  • Packing Group
• Proof of classification must be provided upon inspector request within 5 years of a dangerous goods shipment.

Transport Information by Mode

• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT): Flammable aerosols classified as UN1950, Class 2.1, re-classed as Limited Quantity.
• IMDG Code (Marine Transport): Same classification as DOT for flammable aerosols.
• IATA/ICAO (Air Transport): Flammable aerosols can be classified under Limited Quantity or as Consumer Commodity (ID 8000).

Environmental Hazard Reporting

• For environmentally hazardous substances transported by sea, such as Glycerol Tri-(4-phenylbutyrate), classified as Class 9 (Miscellaneous), Packing Group III.
• Specific quantities for Emergency Response Assistance Plans (ERAP) are required for certain hazardous materials.

Classification Notes for Specific UN Numbers

• UN1170 to UN3494 relate to Flammable Liquids, with specific ERAP standards outlined in regulations.
• ERAP requirements differ by class; for instance, Class 6.2 concerns infectious substances and human pathogens.

Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP)

• The ERAP Index indicates the quantity above which an approved ERAP is essential.
• For solids, quantities are in kilograms; for liquids, in liters; and for gases as containment capacity in liters.
• Class 1 explosives require expressions in net explosive quantities or number of articles based on special provisions.

Specific Explosives Classification Examples

• UN0105: Fuse, classified as 1.4S, Packing Group II.
• UN0106: Detonating fuzes, classified as 1.1B, considered Forbidden for transport.
• UN0110: Practice grenades, classified as 1.4S, Packing Group II.

General Identification and Classification

• Identifying dangerous goods correctly is crucial for transport safety.
• Each item must be represented accurately according to its UN number for regulatory compliance.

Dangerous Goods Classification

• Dangerous Goods are classified into 9 categories that pose hazards to health, safety, property, or the environment.
• Categories include Explosives, Gases, Flammable Liquids, Flammable Solids, Oxidizers, Toxic Substances, Radioactive Materials, Corrosives, and Miscellaneous Substances.

Responsibilities of the Consignor

• The consignor must ascertain the proper classification, which includes:
  • Shipping name
  • Hazard class
  • Identification number (four-digit numeric code with UN prefix)
  • Packing Group
• Proof of classification must be provided upon inspector request within 5 years of a dangerous goods shipment.

Transport Information by Mode

• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT): Flammable aerosols classified as UN1950, Class 2.1, re-classed as Limited Quantity.
• IMDG Code (Marine Transport): Same classification as DOT for flammable aerosols.
• IATA/ICAO (Air Transport): Flammable aerosols can be classified under Limited Quantity or as Consumer Commodity (ID 8000).

Environmental Hazard Reporting

• For environmentally hazardous substances transported by sea, such as Glycerol Tri-(4-phenylbutyrate), classified as Class 9 (Miscellaneous), Packing Group III.
• Specific quantities for Emergency Response Assistance Plans (ERAP) are required for certain hazardous materials.

Classification Notes for Specific UN Numbers

• UN1170 to UN3494 relate to Flammable Liquids, with specific ERAP standards outlined in regulations.
• ERAP requirements differ by class; for instance, Class 6.2 concerns infectious substances and human pathogens.

Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP)

• The ERAP Index indicates the quantity above which an approved ERAP is essential.
• For solids, quantities are in kilograms; for liquids, in liters; and for gases as containment capacity in liters.
• Class 1 explosives require expressions in net explosive quantities or number of articles based on special provisions.

Specific Explosives Classification Examples

• UN0105: Fuse, classified as 1.4S, Packing Group II.
• UN0106: Detonating fuzes, classified as 1.1B, considered Forbidden for transport.
• UN0110: Practice grenades, classified as 1.4S, Packing Group II.

General Identification and Classification

• Identifying dangerous goods correctly is crucial for transport safety.
• Each item must be represented accurately according to its UN number for regulatory compliance.

This quiz covers the essential topics related to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act. Key areas include exemptions, classification, documentation, and safety requirements. It's crucial for understanding how to handle dangerous goods safely in Canada.