Canada IMDG Marine DG cheat sheet

The IMDG Code is given mandatory force through SOLAS Chapter VII Part A (carriage of dangerous goods in packaged form) and MARPOL Annex III (harmful substances in packaged form); both instruments make compliance with the Code's provisions obligatory for Contracting Governments.

The Code is organized into seven parts: Part 1 general provisions, definitions, training; Part 2 classification; Part 3 Dangerous Goods List, special provisions, limited and excepted quantities; Part 4 packing and tank provisions; Part 5 consignment procedures; Part 6 construction and testing of packagings, IBCs, tanks; Part 7 stowage, segregation, and handling.

The Code is supplemented by the Supplement volume containing the EmS Guide, the MFAG, and the reporting procedures for incidents involving dangerous goods; the Supplement is advisory guidance rather than mandatory text.

In Canada, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 and the TDG Regulations implement the international modal regimes; the IMDG Code applies to marine carriage, while the TDG Regulations govern classification, documentation, and means of containment domestically.

The TDG Act applies to handling and offering for transport in Canada and requires that dangerous goods be accompanied by proper documentation, be in permitted means of containment, and be handled by trained persons; marine shipments additionally meet IMDG requirements.

The IMDG Code does not apply to dangerous goods in bulk carried under MARPOL Annex I or II, to ship's stores and equipment, or to goods carried in limited quantities under the conditions of Chapter 3.4, which are subject to reduced requirements.

Canadian vessels and foreign vessels in Canadian waters are subject to Port State control; the Minister may inspect, and non-compliance can result in detention, fines, or prosecution under the TDG Act.

Amendments to the IMDG Code are adopted by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee and enter into force on a two-year cycle; there is typically a transition period during which the previous edition may still be used.

There are nine classes: 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable liquids, 4 flammable solids and substances liable to spontaneous combustion and water-reactive substances, 5 oxidizers and organic peroxides, 6 toxic and infectious substances, 7 radioactive material, 8 corrosives, 9 miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.

Packing groups apply only to Classes 3, 4, 5.1, 6.1, 8, and some Class 9 entries: PG I great danger, PG II medium danger, PG III minor danger; assignment follows the criteria tables in Part 2.

Class 3 assignment depends on flash point and initial boiling point: a liquid with a flash point below 23 degrees C and initial boiling point above 35 degrees C is PG II, while flash point below 23 degrees C and initial boiling point 35 degrees C or less is PG I.

Subsidiary risks are shown in the Dangerous Goods List in brackets under column 4; they are assigned where a substance meets the criteria of more than one class, and the label for the subsidiary risk is applied in addition to the primary label.

Class 1 is divided into divisions 1.1 to 1.6 and compatibility groups A through S; the compatibility group letter governs mixed stowage of explosives and must appear on the transport document.

Class 2 is divided into 2.1 flammable gases, 2.2 non-flammable non-toxic gases, and 2.3 toxic gases; aerosols are classified under Class 2 with the applicable division determined by the contents.

Class 6.2 infectious substances are assigned to Category A (UN 2814, UN 2900) or Category B (UN 3373); Category A is capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening disease, while Category B is not.

Class 9 includes environmentally hazardous substances, which are identified in the Dangerous Goods List by the symbol P or by the marine pollutant designation, and lithium batteries, which have specific entries and special provisions.

The Dangerous Goods List (Part 3, Chapter 3.2) has 18 columns: UN number, proper shipping name, class or division, subsidiary risk, packing group, special provisions, limited and excepted quantities, packing instructions, IBC and tank instructions, and stowage and segregation codes.

The proper shipping name is the name shown in capital letters in column 2 of the Dangerous Goods List; a technical name may be required in parentheses for certain generic or n.o.s. entries under special provision 274.

Special provisions are numbered in column 6 and listed in Chapter 3.3; they modify, add to, or exempt from the general requirements and must be applied to the specific entry.

Limited quantities are indicated in column 7a by the maximum quantity per inner packaging; transport is under Chapter 3.4, which permits reduced packaging, marking, and documentation requirements but not full exemption from classification.

Excepted quantities are shown in column 7b as a code such as E1 to E5, with the maximum net quantity per inner and outer packaging given in Chapter 3.5; they are subject to minimal requirements including the excepted quantity mark.

The segregation groups in column 16 (acids, alkalis, heavy metals, chlorates, etc.) are used in addition to class-based segregation to separate incompatible substances within the same class.

The stowage and segregation codes in columns 16a and 16b refer to Chapter 7.1 provisions; codes such as SW, SG, and SGG indicate specific stowage or segregation requirements for the entry.

Where a substance is not named in the Dangerous Goods List, it is assigned to the appropriate n.o.s. entry based on its hazard characteristics, with the technical name added in accordance with special provision 274.

Packages must bear the UN number and the proper shipping name, preceded by the letters UN, on the outside; the UN number must also appear on the hazard label or adjacent to it for Class 1 and Class 7.

Hazard labels are diamond-shaped, 100 mm by 100 mm, with the class number in the bottom corner; subsidiary risk labels are applied in addition to the primary label, and the primary label must not be obscured.

Marine pollutant marking is required for environmentally hazardous substances meeting the criteria in Chapter 2.9; the mark is the marine pollutant symbol applied to packages and to transport units.

Overpacks must be marked with the word OVERPACK, the UN number, and the proper shipping name of the goods, and must bear the labels of the contained packages unless the labels are visible.

Transport units containing dangerous goods must display placards on both sides and both ends; for a freight container, placards are affixed to the exterior, and for a road vehicle, to the sides and rear.

Placards are enlarged labels, at least 250 mm by 250 mm; a transport unit containing goods of more than one class displays the placards for each class, and the UN number may be displayed on placards for single-class loads.

Limited quantity packages bear the limited quantity mark (a diamond with the letters LQ) instead of the hazard labels, and transport units carrying only limited quantities need not display placards.

Excepted quantity packages bear the excepted quantity mark, and the marking requirements of Chapter 3.5 replace the standard label and placard requirements.

The dangerous goods transport document must include the UN number preceded by UN, the proper shipping name, the class or division, the subsidiary risk, the packing group, and the total quantity, in that order.

Additional information required on the document includes the marine pollutant designation where applicable, the flash point for Class 3 with a flash point of 61 degrees C or less, and the control and emergency temperatures for organic peroxides and self-reactive substances.

The shipper must provide a container or vehicle packing certificate, which may be combined with the transport document, certifying that the goods are properly packed, secured, and segregated and that the unit is fit for the intended voyage.

The transport document must include the number and kind of packages, the total quantity, and the name and address of the shipper and consignee; it must be signed and dated by the shipper.

The packing certificate must state that the unit was clean, dry, and free of residue, that the goods are properly segregated, and that the unit is properly marked and placarded.

Electronic data interchange is permitted where it produces the same information as the paper document; the EDI message must be capable of being reproduced in printed form and must be available to the authorities on request.

The transport document must be carried on board the vessel and be readily available during the voyage; a copy is retained by the shipper and by the carrier.

For limited quantities, the transport document may omit the packing group and the hazard class where the entry so permits, but the UN number, proper shipping name, and quantity must still appear.

Packaging instructions are shown in column 8 of the Dangerous Goods List and refer to Chapter 4.1; they specify the permitted packaging types and the maximum quantities per package.

Packagings are designated by a code: the first digit indicates the type (1 drum, 3 jerrican, 4 box, 5 bag, 6 composite), the second the material (A steel, B aluminium, C natural wood, H plastic, L textile), followed by the performance code.

The X, Y, Z marking on packagings indicates the packing group for which the packaging is approved: X for PG I, II, and III, Y for PG II and III, Z for PG III only.

IBCs are designated by codes such as 31A for a rigid steel IBC; they are subject to the testing requirements of Chapter 6.5, including bottom lift, top lift, stacking, leakproofness, and drop tests.

Portable tanks are designated by codes such as 1A1 for a non-insulated steel portable tank; they must meet the design, construction, and testing requirements of Chapter 6.7 and bear the required tank markings.

Packagings must be tested before use and marked with the UN symbol, the packaging code, the performance level, the year of manufacture, and the country of authorization.

Large packagings are designated by codes such as 50A for a rigid steel large packaging; they are subject to the testing requirements of Chapter 6.6 and are limited to a maximum capacity of 3 cubic metres.

Reconditioned packagings must be marked with the reconditioning symbol and the year of reconditioning; packagings that have been reconditioned must be retested where the reconditioning affects the performance.

Stowage categories are on deck only, on deck or under deck, and under deck only; the category is shown in column 16a of the Dangerous Goods List and refers to Chapter 7.1.

Segregation is expressed by codes 1 to 4: code 1 away from, code 2 separated from, code 3 separated by a complete compartment or hold, and code 4 separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold.

The segregation table in Chapter 7.2 gives the general segregation requirement between classes; the segregation groups in column 16b may require additional segregation within a class.

Goods of Class 1 are segregated by compatibility group according to the table in Chapter 7.2; certain compatibility groups may be stowed together while others must be separated.

Cargo transport units must be secured to the ship in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual; the securing arrangements must withstand the forces of the voyage and prevent movement of the unit.

Dangerous goods must not be stowed in a position where they could be damaged by other cargo or where they could damage the ship; stowage must allow access for inspection and emergency response.

Goods that may react dangerously with one another must be segregated even where the class-based table does not require it; the shipper must declare any known incompatibility.

Stowage on deck must protect the goods from the weather and from overboard loss; where the entry requires on-deck stowage, the goods must not be carried under deck.

The EmS Guide provides emergency response procedures for each dangerous goods entry; the EmS schedule is shown in column 15 of the Dangerous Goods List as a fire schedule (F) and a spillage schedule (S).

The MFAG provides medical first aid guidance for exposure to dangerous goods; it is organized by the MFAG table number shown in column 15 of the Dangerous Goods List.

Firefighting procedures for dangerous goods must consider the reactivity of the substance; water-reactive substances of Class 4.3 must not be extinguished with water, and oxidizing substances may intensify a fire.

Spill control measures include containment, absorption, and disposal; the spillage schedule in the EmS Guide gives the protective clothing and the response actions for the specific substance.

The vessel must carry the EmS Guide and the MFAG on board, and the crew must be trained in their use; the emergency procedures must be available at the time of the incident.

Incidents involving dangerous goods must be reported in accordance with the reporting procedures in the Supplement; reports are made to the coastal State and to the flag State.

Fire precautions include the segregation of flammable goods from ignition sources, the provision of firefighting equipment appropriate to the classes carried, and the closing of ventilation to compartments containing toxic gases.

Personal protective equipment for spill response must be selected according to the EmS spillage schedule and the MFAG; self-contained breathing apparatus is required where toxic or asphyxiant gases may be present.

Chapter 1.4 of the IMDG Code requires the implementation of security measures to prevent the unauthorized carriage of dangerous goods and to reduce the risk of a security incident.

The security provisions apply to all persons engaged in the carriage of dangerous goods, including shippers, forwarders, carriers, and terminal operators.

High consequence dangerous goods are those that have the potential for mass casualties or major disruption; they are identified in the table in Chapter 1.4 and are subject to enhanced security measures.

The security plan must address the identification of the goods, the assessment of the risk, the measures to be taken, and the procedures for reporting a security incident.

Security awareness training must be provided to all persons involved in the carriage of dangerous goods; training records must be kept and made available to the authorities.

Access to dangerous goods in port and on board must be controlled; unauthorized persons must not be permitted to handle or approach the goods.

Suspicious packages or shipments must be reported to the port security officer and to the authorities; the goods must not be handled until the risk has been assessed.

The security provisions are complementary to the safety provisions; compliance with the safety requirements does not by itself satisfy the security requirements.

All persons involved in the handling and carriage of dangerous goods must be trained in the requirements of the IMDG Code, including classification, packing, marking, labelling, documentation, stowage, and emergency response.

Training must be provided before the person assumes the duties and must be supplemented by periodic refresher training; records of training must be kept and made available to the authorities.

The shipper is responsible for the correct classification, packing, marking, labelling, and documentation of the goods; the carrier is responsible for the stowage and securing of the goods.

Loading and unloading must be carried out under the supervision of a competent person; the goods must be inspected for damage before loading and after unloading.

Cargo transport units must be inspected before loading to confirm that they are clean, dry, and free of residue, and that the doors, seals, and securing points are in good condition.

Dangerous goods must not be loaded where they could be damaged by other cargo or by the handling equipment; the unit must be secured in accordance with the Cargo Securing Manual.

The loading and unloading plan must consider the segregation requirements, the stowage category, and the emergency response arrangements for the goods carried.

Personnel must be provided with the personal protective equipment required for the goods handled, and must be trained in its use and in the decontamination procedures.