Barry's Interpretation of the current regulations
that might relate to members of the Biological Sciences Department:
Caution!!
the TDG inspector may have a different interpretation so if something
affects you directly, check it out with the authorities
at Transport Canada.
Most of my
examination of the regulations was aimed at transport situations
in a motor vehicle on the public roads within Canada.
They may not be correct for transport in a boat/ship or railroad
and definitely don't cover aircraft. The International Air Transport
Association (IATA) regulations are designed to cover air shipments.
Both Joy Correia and Marie Wrishko in the BioStores (Z207) are
certified in interpreting the IATA requirements. If you are travelling
in the USA, their transport regulations must be considered. Canada
Post Customer service (1-800 267-1177) has information on restrictions
for items sent through the mail.
Interpretation
of Sections from Part II of
TDG Regulations:
Supplies
needed to operate the vehicle:
2.3 (i) -youcan carry parts and accessories needed to operate
a motor vehicle. Probably includes things like extra gasoline
or oil or a fire extinguisher as long as they are adequately contained
and secured within the vehicle. See also section 2.20.
Diagnostic
microbial samples:
2.3.3 (1) and 2.4.2 - refer to microbiological specimens.
Check Part III and Schedule VII to see if your organism is in
the low risk group.
Alcohol
solutions:
2.6 (a) - alcoholic beverages, (always essential for field
work). You can have up to 5L of a solution containing up to 70%
alcohol but it must be labled according to the Excise Regulations.
2.6 (b) - alcohol/water solutions: this exempts ethanol
solutions that are in the range of 0-50% (v/v). It does not cover
ethanol solutions greater than 50% (v/v). For other alcoholic
solutions, you will need to find the flash point of the mixture
to determine if it is exempt.
Limited
quantity exemption: (see example
for ethanol)
2.7.1 - refers to limited quantities of dangerous products.
This is the most important exemption for field workers moving
chemicals, gases or gasoline to and from field sites. Items must
still be packaged appropriately and have markings on them but
it exempts you from displaying placards on the vehicle, from the
operator being certified in the transport of dangerous goods and
reduces the documentation requirements that must accompany the
shipment.
A limited quantity is a maximum amount that may be in a single
container (glass, plastic or metal) - this is the "inner
packaging". However, several of these containers may be together
in a cardboard or plywood box (the "outer packing")
as long as the entire box and contents is less than 30 kg.
Labelling:
the outer packaging must be labelled with:
1. the name
of the dangerous goods contained
2. the words "Limited Quantity"
3. if flammable, the flashpoint of the liquid (temperature C)
4. for liquids, the label "This way Up"
5. for class 6.1 the word "Poison"
Documentation:
a shipping document that contains:
1. the name
of the dangerous goods
2. the words "Limited Quantity"
3. the classification of the dangerous goods ( e.g. 3.1 for
some flammables)
4. product identification number (the United Nations "UN"
number)
5. the total quantity in the shipment
This document
must accompany the shipment and be retained for 2 years.
Although this
may seem like a lot of work, the exemption relieves you from:
1. ensuring
that the person transporting the items is certified to handle
hazardous goods (Part IX)
2. using placards on the vehicle (Part V)
3. submitting an Emergency Response Plan with the authorities
(Part VII)
4. the reporting requirements in case of a mishap (Part IX)
Retail
exemption:
2.21 - refers to transport of items from a retail outlet
being exempt. Subsection 2 exempts flammable gases in a cylinder
that has a water capacity less than 45L (this is how you can bring
your propane tank home for your barbeque although it should be
in an open vehicle).
Gasoline
and propane exemption:
2.31 - Part (a) allows the transport of up to 2000L of
gasoline or fuel oil in cans or tanks which are in the open (i.e.
in the back of a uncovered truck or on an open trailer) as long
as the container(s) are secure and have a warning placard(s) that
is visible from outside the vehicle.
Part (b) refers to propane and welding gases (oxygen and acetylene).
It exempts quantities less than 500 kg gross in 5 (or fewer) cylinders
if secured in an open vehicle with the warning placard on the
tanks visible
Part (c) lets you carry herbicide stocks and solutions up to 5000L
in a tank that has a warning placard.
While most of the TDG requirements are decreased, the warning
placards and reporting requirements in case of theft
or mishap are required for these products.
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