Dangerous chemicals, with properties like toxicity, corrosiveness, explosiveness, flammability, and oxidizing nature, can harm humans, facilities, and the environment. China manages these chemicals via a directory system. The “Catalogue of Dangerous Chemicals” is determined, published, and adjusted by the work safety supervision and administration department under the State Council, in collaboration with other relevant departments. It covers various dangerous chemicals, offering specific names, aliases, CAS numbers, etc., for easy identification and supervision.
Different Dangerous Chemicals Transport Considerations:
01 Flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline, diesel)
Vehicle preparation:
– Install electrostatic grounding devices and flame arresters. Fit the exhaust pipe with heat – insulation and spark – extinguishing devices.
– Pre-transport, visually inspect and pressure-test the tank’s seal integrity to prevent leakage.Loading requirements:
– Load and unload gently to avoid spills. Connect the electrostatic grounding device during loading.
– Don’t mix different flammable liquids in the same vehicle.
Transport process:
– Avoid high – temperature exposure to prevent liquid expansion.
– When stopping midway, stay away from ignition sources and heat sources.
02 Compressed Gases and Liquefied Gases (e.g., natural gas)
Vehicle preparation:
– Regularly strength – test tanks to ensure they’re within the validity period.
– Have sensitive and reliable gas leak detection and alarm systems on the vehicle.
Loading requirements:
– Secure cylinders or tanks firmly to prevent collisions.
– Load and unload gently to avoid explosions.
Transport process:
– No sudden braking. Speed usually shouldn’t exceed 60 km/h.
– When stopping, avoid densely – populated areas.
03 Toxic Substances (e.g., liquid chlorine)
Vehicle preparation:
– Have protective gear like gas masks and chemical protective suits, in good working order.
Loading requirements:
– Packaging must be intact, sealed, with toxicity labels and emergency instructions.
– Load and unload gently to prevent package damage.
Transport process:
– Avoid stopping near densely – populated areas or water sources.
– In case of leakage, isolate immediately and follow the emergency plan.
04 Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides (e.g., trichlorosilane)
Vehicle preparation:
– Equip with heat – and sun – protection devices. For organic peroxides, ensure low – temperature transport conditions.
Loading requirements:
– Strictly separate from flammable and combustible materials. Avoid mixing.
– Handle packages gently during loading.
Transport process:
– When stopping, stay away from ignition and heat sources.
– Avoid long stops during high – temperature periods.
05 Radioactive Substances
Vehicle preparation:
– Shielding layers must pass radiation detection and meet safety requirements.
– Paint prominent radioactive warning signs on the vehicle.
Loading requirements:
– Ensure airtight packaging to prevent leakage.
– Have personal dosimeters and professionally – qualified escorts.
Transport process:
– Plan routes to avoid densely – populated areas and water sources.
– When stopping, stay away from people.
06 Other Precautions
– All vehicles transporting dangerous chemicals must be equipped with corresponding fire – fighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers and fire sand, and ensure that they are in good condition. After loading, the vehicle must be sealed to prevent leakage during transportation.
– Dangerous chemical transport vehicles should follow designated routes and schedules, avoiding sensitive areas like densely – populated zones and water sources.
– Drivers and escorts must undergo specialized training, work with valid certificates, and regularly attend safety and skills training sessions.
Qualification requirements:
01 Business Qualifications
– Road transport operation license: The fundamental qualification for businesses to engage in dangerous goods transport. It is applied for from local transportation authorities, proving that the business meets relevant requirements in terms of vehicles, personnel, safety management systems, etc.
– Business license: Its scope of operation must include dangerous goods transport – related businesses, clarifying the business’s legal operational authority.
Dangerous chemical transport enterprises must also obtain this certificate to ensure they meet safety production conditions during production and operation, effectively preventing and reducing production accidents.
02 Personnel Qualifications
– Drivers: Must hold a valid driver’s license matching the authorized vehicle type, issued by public security departments, as well as a dangerous goods transport qualification certificate for commercial road transport drivers, issued by transportation authorities. In some regions, certain conditions for obtaining the qualification certificate may apply, such as holding a general freight qualification certificate for over 2 years and having no major accident records in the past 3 years.
– Escorts: Need to obtain the road dangerous goods operation certificate (escort certificate) issued by the transportation authority. Escorts are responsible for supervising and attending to dangerous goods during transport to ensure their safety.
– Loading and unloading management personnel: Must pass exams conducted by the transportation authority of the municipality where they are located and obtain a qualification certificate. They should possess expertise in hazardous materials transportation safety knowledge to correctly guide and supervise loading and unloading operations.
03 Vehicle Qualifications
– Vehicle road transport certificate: Issued by transportation authorities and stamped with the dedicated seal for road dangerous goods transport, proving the vehicle’s legal qualification for dangerous goods transport.
– Driving license: Issued by public security vehicle management departments to ensure the vehicle is legally on the road and meets relevant safety and technical standards.
– Tank quality inspection certificate: For tank vehicles transporting liquid, gas, etc., their tanks must be inspected and certified by quality and technology supervision departments to ensure quality and safety, preventing leaks.
– Highly toxic chemicals road transport pass: When transporting highly toxic chemicals, this pass must be applied for from the public security department of the county – level people’s government at the destination. Application materials include the name, quantity, origin and destination, transport route, transport unit, driver, escort, and the qualifications of the operating and purchasing units.
– Vehicle technical requirements: The front axle of the vehicle must be equipped with disc brakes, and the entire vehicle must have an ABS system; the engine exhaust pipe should be positioned at the front, with an exhaust spark extinguisher installed at the tail end; the maximum driving speed must not exceed 80 kilometers per hour; oil tankers, etc., must have an emergency shut – off device at the liquid and gas interfaces; vehicles must be painted with safety notices, explosive diamond – shaped signs, danger indicator lights, orange “Explosive” characters, and other warning signs; they must also be equipped with electrostatic conductive rubber drag strips, etc.
