While many shipped goods are safe to handle, there are occasions when the products you package could be considered as hazardous. Many businesses are completely unaware that the products they are dealing with are considered dangerous, however taking extra care to ensure maximum safety will make sure that your goods are delivered without interference. It is your sole duty to provide information on the goods to the carrier and ensure that the correct shipping methods have been correctly implanted. If you’re in any doubt on how to package and ship hazardous materials, check out the information below to give you some key tips on what to be aware of:
Know which materials are hazardous
First and foremost, you need to be well aware of the types of materials that are considered to be dangerous. While you may not believe the product you plan on shipping may cause any particular hazards, you may be surprised. Hazardous materials can come in solid, liquid and gas form and are often classified as to whether they are poisonous, flammable or perhaps even cause an explosion. Make sure you do your research on hazardous materials before shipping off your goods.
Be aware of regulations in different countries
If your business mainly deals with abroad shipping, you need to be aware of any rules and regulations of the countries you’re shipping to. If you’re in any doubt about this, it would be the best idea to contact your shipping agent who will be able to talk you through what is acceptable and unacceptable when sending packages abroad. This is due to the fact that some countries have guidelines on the types of labelling used alongside other minor requirements, which may mean that your package is delivered late to the client or is even returned back to you if these are not followed. For example, packages containing cosmetics that are sent to or within the US must state whether the substance contains alcohol, while the bottles used must adhere to pressure obligations.
Use appropriate packaging
It is your duty to make sure that hazardous materials have been packaged properly in the correct containers to prevent hazards, breakages or damage. So it is a good idea to reinforce and secure your loads with steel strips from this recommended steel strip supplier. With the option to customise your stripping, these low cost yet high-quality steel stripping that is resistant to wear over time will ensure your goods arrive at their destination safely.
Metal objects such as knives are deemed hazardous for the obvious reason of being sharp and should be labelled and packaged accordingly. It’s important you wrap the products in speciality foam for maximum shock absorption and protection, before strapping them in securely to prevent movement during transportation. For small metal objects such as wiring, coil, and tubes, it would be a good idea to use grip seal bags which makes them both easier to store and safe to deliver.
Deliver the adequate training
As a business manager, it’s essential you ensure that all employees dealing with hazardous materials are professionally trained. This should cut down on any mistakes that are made during the packaging process and well-informed on the various regulations. Employees should be in the know of the requirements of the shipper, as well as those of the transport company.
