Transportation of Dangerous Goods Flashcards
What is the purpose of TDG ‘Transportation of Dangerous Goods’?
To protect personnel, public, & environment while transporting dangerous goods.
It also ensures integrity of specimen.
What are dangerous goods?
Any ‘articles or substances which are capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety, property or the environment when transported by surface or air.’
What organization regulates the safety and importation of human pathogens in Canada?
Public Health Agency of Canada
What organization regulates animal pathogens in Canada?
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
What are the two infectious substance categories?
Category A - High Risk of infection during transportation. Capable of causing permanent disability, life threatening or fatal disease in healthy individuals.
Category B - Responsible for causing disease in human or animals, transported that the likelihood of contracting disease upon exposure is extremely remote.
What is the UN number of Cat A?
UN2814
What is the UN number for Cat B?
UN3373
What are the three layers of packaging?
- Primary container - water tight, leakproof
2 Secondary container - includes absorbent material, enough to contain a spill in case of breakage, and leakproof (Note in the Cat B packaging example the 2nd container is leakproof) - Outer package - withstands a test drop
In essence, the 2nd container is a redundant measure.
What type of packaging can you do for local specimen transport (i.e. diagnostic specimens)?
No standards applicable, but 1. Use leakproof containers. 2. Rack for tubes. 3. Specimen containers to be impervious plastic or metal carriers. 4. Requisition forms included. Note: Dry ice if used to be indicated.
Where should labels be placed on package?
Where it is easy to read and locate.
What are the steps for preparing the package?
- Have the required PPE
- Orientation of package
- Assemble materials.
- List of contents of package between 2nd & outer package.
- Apply labels.
What does the shipper (consignor) do?
Applies appropriate packaging/labels.
Documents the shipment, with extra copies for handlers.
Maintains records (retention) for 2 years.
Ensures package label matches documentation.
Ensures documentation is complete.
What does the receiver (consignee) do?
Verify package label matches documentation. Completes documentation process. Maintains records (retention) for 2 years, 15 day quick access.
What else does the transport dangerous goods regulation included (TDGR)?
IATA (International Air Transport Association)
- follow for air shipping
- manual provides guidance
- updated annually
Training, employer must train you but you must apply knowledge as an employee. Receive certification of training (valid for 3 years).
Who does the TDGR apply to?
Those who handle dangerous goods (purpose of transport not processing).
Consignors who offer dangerous goods for transport, shippers
Carriers who do the shipping.
What are the individual responsibilities?
Handlers:
Safe storage and handling
Application of safety stickers
Loading of dangerous goods
Fulfilling the immediate reporting
Consignor:
Identifying, preparing, classifying, packaging, marking, labeling/documenting shipment for transport
Diagnostic specimens vs. infectious substance
Ensuring special arrangements
Eg. Temperature sensitive substances are covered from light
Shipper’s Declaration of Dangerous Goods
What are the different risk groups?
Risk Group I-IV
-Group I: not hazardous/not regulated
Ex. Blood for transfusion purposes
-Group II: less serious, labile viruses
HIV + specimens
Most microorganisms causing common human diseases
-Group III: serious, but not readily transmitted by casual contact; exposure likely to lead to disease/treatable
Ex. TB, HIV pure cultures
-Group IV: Most serious, may be untreatable, significant risk to individual and community, likely to cause disease after casual contact
Ex. Ebola
What are consequences of non-compliance of the TDGR?
Fines:
1st offence- $50,000 / 2 years in jail
Subsequent offences- $100,000 / 2 years in jail
Up to $1,000,000
