Transportation of Dangerous Goods key terms

Articles or substances capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment, and shown in the regulations to be forbidden or subject to special requirements.

The government body designated to administer and enforce dangerous goods requirements, including issuing approvals, certificates, and equivalency documents within its jurisdiction.

The person or organization that offers a consignment of dangerous goods for transport and is responsible for correct classification, documentation, packaging, and marking before handover.

The person or organization receiving a dangerous goods consignment, responsible for accepting it and for safe handling once custody transfers.

One or more packages of dangerous goods offered by a single consignor at one time for transport to one destination, covered by one shipping document.

A written authorization from a competent authority permitting a specific activity, package design, or alternative arrangement that would otherwise not be allowed under the regulations.

A document issued by a competent authority confirming that a proposed alternative means of containment or approach provides a level of safety at least equivalent to the prescribed requirement.

A four-digit identification code assigned by the United Nations to a specific dangerous good or group of goods, used to link documentation, marks, and emergency information.

The official name of a dangerous good as listed in the regulations, used in shipping documents and package marks to identify the substance accurately.

One of the broad hazard categories into which dangerous goods are grouped, such as explosives, gases, flammable liquids, oxidizers, toxic substances, radioactive material, or corrosives.

A subdivision within a hazard class that further distinguishes the degree or type of hazard, such as the compatibility groups within the explosives class.

A ranking of the degree of danger presented by a substance within a class, typically expressed as I (great danger), II (medium danger), or III (minor danger).

The central schedule in the regulations that assigns each dangerous good its UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, and applicable special provisions.

A numbered regulatory clause that modifies, limits, or exempts a listed dangerous good from a standard requirement, and must be checked for every entry.

A provision that removes a dangerous good, quantity, or situation from specific requirements when stated conditions are met, such as limited or excepted quantities.

A reduced set of requirements available for small inner-packaging quantities of certain dangerous goods, permitting simplified marking in place of full hazard communication.

An even smaller quantity allowance for certain dangerous goods that carries minimal requirements, typically limited to small inner packagings and a specific mark.

The transport paper or electronic record that describes a dangerous goods consignment, including proper shipping name, UN number, class, packing group, quantity, and emergency contact.

A contact number, monitored at all times during transport, that responders can call for hazard and handling information about a dangerous goods shipment.

A pre-arranged plan, sometimes required by regulation, describing specialized response capabilities and contacts available to assist responders at a dangerous goods incident.

An event involving dangerous goods that meets defined thresholds, such as a release, fire, or injury, and therefore triggers notification to the competent authority.

Any unintended escape of dangerous goods from their means of containment, whether as liquid, gas, vapour, or dust, that may endanger people or the environment.

The physical structure or packaging that holds dangerous goods, including the inner packaging, outer packaging, and any intermediate layer used for transport.

The complete assembly of inner packagings and outer packaging prepared for transport as a single unit, including any absorbent or cushioning material.

A packaging design that has passed standardized performance tests and is marked with the UN symbol, indicating it is authorized for specific dangerous goods and packing groups.

A large hazard warning sign displayed on a transport unit, such as a truck or container, to communicate the class of dangerous goods carried to responders and the public.

A hazard warning mark affixed to a package that identifies the class or division of the dangerous goods inside, using a standardized symbol, colour, and text.

The graphic pictogram, such as a flame or skull, printed on labels and placards to convey the type of hazard without requiring the reader to understand written text.

A required inscription on a package, such as the UN number, proper shipping name, orientation arrows, or limited quantity mark, that communicates handling or identification information.

The practice of keeping incompatible dangerous goods apart during loading, storage, or transport to prevent dangerous reactions if a release occurs.

The act of placing packages or containers of dangerous goods onto a transport unit, including checking compatibility, package condition, and placement before departure.

The use of restraints, blocking, or bracing to prevent dangerous goods packages from shifting, sliding, or falling during transport.

A record issued to a person who has completed required dangerous goods training, showing the person's name, the training received, and the expiry or review date.

The demonstrated ability of a person to perform assigned dangerous goods duties correctly, verified through training, assessment, and periodic re-evaluation.

The regulatory obligation to keep shipping documents, training records, and incident reports for a specified period so they can be produced on request during an inspection.

Dangerous goods that, if they mix during a release, could react dangerously, such as by generating heat, fire, toxic gas, or pressure, and therefore require separation.

The total mass of explosive material contained in a package or load, excluding packaging, used to determine quantity limits and placarding thresholds for explosives.