TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS
Dangerous goods are those that can pose a risk to health, the environment, or safety. Therefore, this task can only be performed by authorized and experienced personnel, such as the professionals we have at Ibercóndor. Dangerous goods include products like bleach, gasoline, medicines, food preservatives, among many others.
According to the DGT (Spanish Directorate General for Traffic), dangerous goods are those materials and objects whose transport by road is prohibited or authorized exclusively under the conditions established in the European ADR Agreement or other specific provisions, which require a specific permit for transport.
At Ibercóndor, we are aware that this is a complex type of transport. For this reason, we offer you our team, certified in dangerous goods by IATA, to personally advise you on the management of transport, packaging, labeling, and safety declaration (DGD).
Dangerous goods transport regulations
The transport of dangerous goods requires compliance with very strict safety regulations. In fact, the main responsible party from a preventive perspective for these operations is the transport company. For this reason, it is crucial to select an expert company to ensure that the transfer, loading, and unloading are carried out following all protocols and that the operation is ultimately successful.
At Ibercóndor, we are a company specialized in the transport of dangerous goods. Below are the requirements for transporting this type of goods:
- All vehicles carrying dangerous goods must have two visible panels, one at the front and one at the rear, which must be rectangular in shape, orange in color, and include black borders and numbers.
- It is essential to use the appropriate labeling for each good, in accordance with legal requirements.
- Training is crucial. The person responsible for transporting dangerous goods must be knowledgeable about the safety conditions that need to be implemented, as well as the steps to follow in the event of an accident.
- The vehicle transporting dangerous goods must have passed inspections.
Additionally, when turning to an expert transport company, such as Ibercóndor, it is important to be informed about the established conditions and to consider the particularities of each type of transport: land, sea, and air.
It is important to note that those responsible for managing and transporting these dangerous goods take on certain risks. For this reason, Francisco Trujillo wrote a book on the occupational risk prevention regulations (PRL) that apply to the different roles (drivers, warehouse personnel, etc.) and how the law should protect them.
Experts in the import and export of dangerous goods
Before deciding on the appropriate type of transport for your dangerous goods, it is important to consider two variables: the load and the route it will take, always in accordance with regulations.
The different transport options we offer at Ibercondor include road, rail, maritime, air, and river transport. Each of these is regulated by different agreements and must comply with specific legislation. Other alternatives are groupage of goods and intermodal and multimodal transport operations, which may be more advantageous depending on the type of goods and operation you wish to carry out.
At Ibercóndor, we not only offer options for land, sea, and air transport, consultancy, and customs logistics for your dangerous goods, but we also advise you on the particularities of each type of transport. This way, you can choose the most appropriate one.
Nevertheless, the most commonly used method today is the land transport of dangerous goods, as most communication routes are found in cities and highly populated areas, allowing transit by road. In fact, in Spain, road transport of dangerous goods is the leading modality, accounting for 75% of the total operations carried out.
ADR Permit for the transport of dangerous goods
What is the ADR? The ADR permit authorizes the carriage of dangerous goods, certifying that you have the necessary knowledge to transport and handle such cargo during transit. Depending on the load and the type of transport, you may need some form of extension to the basic ADR authorization.
This permit is updated every two years and establishes the conditions that dangerous goods, the vehicles transporting them, the drivers carrying out the operations, and the transport companies must meet.
In addition to the ADR, in Spain, there are dangerous goods regulations aimed at governing transport operations, developed by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of the Interior.
Classes of dangerous goods
There are 9 classes of dangerous goods according to the UN Committee of Experts, which developed this classification based on their characteristics and hazardousness. Some of these classes have subclasses:
- Class 1: Explosive objects and materials
- Class 2: Gases
- Class 3: Flammable liquids
- Class 4.1: Flammable, explosive, and self-reactive solids
- Class 4.2: Spontaneously combustible materials
- Class 4.3: Materials that emit flammable gases upon contact with water
- Class 5.1: Oxidizing materials
- Class 5.2: Organic peroxides
- Class 6.1: Toxic materials
- Class 6.2: Infectious substances
- Class 7: Radioactive materials
- Class 8: Corrosive materials
- Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous materials and objects
Advantages of working with Ibercondor
Trusting the transport of your cargo to a company like Ibercóndor, which has been operating in the sector for over 35 years, has several advantages for your business:
- Daily transport routes
- Total security in transport
- Intermodal transport
- 24-hour tracking of your goods
- Advice on your imports and exports
Hire your dangerous goods transport service
Do you need to hire a dangerous goods transport service? Do you have questions about customs or logistics processes? At Ibercóndor, we are specialists in the transport of dangerous goods. Our highly qualified staff, with the required training according to international regulations (IATA, IMO, and ADR/RID), will advise you throughout the entire process, from specific packaging to the preparation of the necessary documentation for transport. Feel free to ask us about routes, rates, and the necessary procedures to carry out your commercial operations.
CONTACT US
Frequently asked questions about the transportation of dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are substances or materials that, due to their chemical or physical characteristics, may pose a risk to health, safety, the environment, or property during transport. They are classified into different classes based on their nature, such as explosives, flammable substances, gases, corrosives, etc.
Yes, it is mandatory for companies that carry out operations involving the transportation, loading, or unloading of dangerous goods to have a safety advisor. This person is responsible for ensuring compliance with all regulations to reduce the risks associated with these activities.
Vehicles transporting dangerous goods must be properly equipped and conditioned in accordance with current regulations. It is important that they have appropriate signage and safety devices. In addition, they must be periodically inspected to ensure they meet the technical requirements for transporting such dangerous materials.
The transport of explosive objects must comply with strict safety measures, including the proper marking and labeling of containers, the use of suitable transport units, and route restrictions in populated areas. It is also important that personnel are trained to respond to any emergency.
Different types of vehicles are used depending on the type of dangerous goods. For example, tankers are used for transporting flammable liquids or gases, battery vehicles for compressed gases, and tank containers for bulk substances. All of these vehicles must comply with safety regulations.
The IMDG code is the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, which regulates the transportation of dangerous goods by sea. Although it does not apply to road transport, it is important for the international transportation of dangerous goods when the route involves maritime transport.
Some dangerous goods are exempt from certain provisions of the ADR, provided they are transported in limited quantities or in specific ways. For example, gasoline or diesel transported in small quantities for personal use is not subject to all ADR regulations. However, it is important to verify each case with the competent authority.