What are dangerous goods?

Dangerous goods (also referred to as hazardous materials) are substances that pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during their transport, handling, or storage. These goods can be solids, liquids, or gases and may be flammable, toxic, corrosive, reactive, or explosive in nature. Examples include chemicals like ammonia, petroleum products, certain pharmaceuticals, explosives, and even lithium batteries. Proper classification of dangerous goods ensures they are managed and transported safely.

How to send Dangerous Goods in Australia?

Sending dangerous goods in Australia involves following specific safety regulations and guidelines to ensure the safe and legal transport of hazardous materials. The process involves proper classification, packaging, labelling, documentation, and choosing the right mode of transport (road, rail, sea, or air). The key regulation for dangerous goods transportation in Australia is the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code), alongside international standards like the IMDG Code (for sea transport) and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (for air transport).

The UN Number is a four-digit code assigned by the United Nations to identify specific dangerous goods. These numbers provide a standardised way of categorising hazardous materials based on their properties such as flammability, toxicity, or corrosiveness.

Who owns DG Solutions?

DG Solutions is owned by Tom Rawlings, who is the Managing Director. The company was founded in January 2025, leveraging Tom's extensive experience in dangerous goods storage, handling, and transport.

What is a packing group in Dangerous Goods?

Packing Groups (PG) classify dangerous goods based on their level of risk. PG I is high danger, PG II is medium danger, and PG III is low danger. This helps ensure proper packaging, labelling, and safe transport of hazardous materials.

Who is responsible for shipping dangerous goods?

The shipper is responsible for ensuring proper handling of dangerous goods, including classification, packaging, labelling, and documentation. They must comply with regulations such as the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and other relevant legislation.

What are the carriers' responsibilities for shipping dangerous goods?

Carriers, whether trucking companies, shipping lines, or airlines, are responsible for safely transporting dangerous goods. They must ensure goods are securely packed, properly labelled, and handled according to regulations, including international standards like the IMDG Code for sea freight and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for air transport.

What are freight forwarders' responsibilities for shipping dangerous goods?

Freight forwarders coordinate the logistics of dangerous goods shipments, ensuring compliance with legal requirements, routing, customs clearance, and proper documentation. They act as intermediaries between the shipper and carrier to ensure smooth and compliant transport.

Who are the regulatory authorities for shipping dangerous goods in Australia?

Regulatory bodies like the National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) enforce dangerous goods transport rules and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

What is 4G Packaging in dangerous goods?

4G packaging is UN-approved packaging designed to safely contain and transport dangerous goods. It is constructed from durable materials like corrugated fibreboard, with features like reinforced corners and secure closures to withstand the rigors of transportation.

What is the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code)?

The Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) provides guidelines for the safe transport of dangerous goods by road and rail in Australia. It ensures safety for people, property, and the environment during hazardous material transport.

What is the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG)?

The IMDG Code is a set of regulations developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the safe transport of dangerous goods by sea. It aims to protect life, property, and the environment from the risks posed by hazardous materials during shipping.

What are the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations?

The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) are guidelines established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. These regulations ensure proper handling, packaging, labelling, and documentation to protect passengers, crew, and cargo.

What is UN Approved dangerous goods packaging?

UN-approved packaging has been tested and certified to meet safety standards for transporting dangerous goods. This packaging ensures hazardous materials are contained safely during transport, minimising the risk of accidents.

What is the requirement for labelling dangerous goods?

The hazard label must be at least 100mm x 100mm in size and placed on all outer surfaces of the container or package. For larger packages, labels should be placed on opposite sides or adjacent faces of the package.

What is limited quantity packaging?

Limited quantity packaging is used for small quantities of dangerous goods that meet specific criteria. It allows for less stringent packaging, labelling, and documentation requirements, making it easier to ship small amounts of hazardous materials safely.

What are Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities (DGLQ)?

DGLQ stands for Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities, allowing small quantities of hazardous materials to be shipped with simplified packaging and labelling requirements. This is meant for materials that pose minimal risk during transport.

Who is responsible for labelling Dangerous Goods?

The shipper or consignor is primarily responsible for ensuring dangerous goods are properly labelled. Other parties involved in transport also have roles in ensuring compliance with labelling regulations.

What is a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)?

A Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) is a formal document required for shipping hazardous materials. It provides critical information to ensure everyone involved in the transport process understands the risks and follows proper safety procedures.

Who can pack Dangerous Goods?

The packing of dangerous goods must be carried out by qualified personnel who are trained in the proper regulations for handling, packaging, and transporting hazardous materials.

How many classes of dangerous goods are there?

There are 9 classes of dangerous goods, categorising hazardous materials based on their properties and risks: Explosives, Gases, Flammable liquids, Flammable solids, Oxidizing substances, Toxic and infectious substances, Radioactive material, Corrosives, and Miscellaneous dangerous goods.

What is the most common dangerous good?

One of the most common dangerous goods is lithium batteries due to their widespread use in electronic devices and potential fire risk.

Who is responsible for training in Dangerous Goods?

Employers are responsible for ensuring that their staff receive appropriate training in handling dangerous goods, meeting the requirements of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and relevant workplace health and safety regulations.

What is the role of DG Solutions?

DG Solutions offers certified dangerous goods export certification services, compliance consulting, training, packaging and labelling advice, and supplies compliant dangerous goods labels to ensure safe and legal transport of hazardous materials.