Wrong class placard and incomplete declaration for acid and alkali IBCs
A curtain-sider truck arrives at a Wellington distribution centre already carrying four IBCs of UN 1789 hydrochloric acid (Class 8, packing group II) and two IBCs of UN 1824 sodium hydroxide solution (Class 8, packing group II). The vehicle has a single rear placard showing only the Class 3 flammable liquid label; the sides have no placards. The driver has a DG declaration that lists 'hydrochloric acid' and 'caustic soda' but gives a UN number for only the acid and does not state packing groups. The driver is asked to add six pallets of general freight and complete the run. The DG declaration is in the cab, not with the load documents. The driver holds a D endorsement. The load is well above the placard threshold.
1. What is wrong with the vehicle's placarding, and what should be displayed?
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The rear placard showing Class 3 is wrong because there is no Class 3 load on the vehicle. The load is Class 8 (UN 1789 hydrochloric acid and UN 1824 sodium hydroxide solution). The vehicle should display Class 8 placards reflecting the goods carried, including the relevant UN numbers, on both sides and the rear. A single rear placard is not enough, and it must not mislead emergency services. Because the two substances are both Class 8 but chemically incompatible, the placards and documentation must still identify each UN number and proper shipping name. The driver should not move until the placarding is corrected.
2. What must the driver check on the DG declaration before accepting the load?
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The declaration must be complete for both IBCs: proper shipping name, UN number, class, packing group and quantity for each, the total quantity, consignor and consignee, and a 24-hour emergency contact. The current declaration gives a UN number for only the acid and omits packing groups, so it is not adequate. The driver should also check that the declaration matches the IBC labels and the placards. If the missing details cannot be supplied, the driver should not proceed. The driver should not rely on the invoice or on verbal descriptions.
3. What should the driver consider before adding six pallets of general freight?
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The driver must first establish what the general freight contains; 'general freight' is not a classification. If any pallet contains dangerous goods, the driver needs the proper shipping name, UN number, class, packing group and quantity, and must check segregation against the acid and alkali. Even non-dangerous goods can be incompatible if they are absorbent, combustible or could contaminate a leak. The driver should also check load restraint and whether the added freight blocks access to the IBC valves. If the freight cannot be assessed, it should not be loaded. Adding it may also change the placarding and documentation.