Hazmats: mastering the logistics of hazardous materials

products-servicesCurTec International
May 11th 2015

Shipping and storage of pharmaceutical and fine chemicals products, ingredients and samples frequently involve the transport of hazardous materials, also called hazmats.

Safe storage and transport of hazmats require intense attention to detail in packaging, labeling and choices over storage and shipping regimes. CurTec International can assist in all these areas.

Defining Hazmats

Hazardous materials can be either raw materials or finished goods, The core definition of a hazardous material is one that is capable of producing harmful physical effects (e.g., burns or radiation), a sudden release of pressure or gas, risk of explosion or that contact with humans or animals can cause acute health risks such as burns or breathing difficulties or long term chronic effect such as cancers or organ damage.

Hazardous materials fall into one or more of the following classifications.

  • Flammable Liquid – any liquid having a flash point below 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.78o Celsius)
  • Combustible Liquid – any liquid having a flash point between 100 oF and 200 oF (37.78oC – 93.3 oC) and producing vapors that can ignite
  • Flammable Solid – a substance that can cause a fire through friction, absorption of moisture or spontaneous chemical change
  • Oxidizer – a substance that readily yields oxygen to stimulate combustion
  • Corrosive – a liquid that corrodes steel (SAE 1020) at a rate greater than 0.250 inches at 130oF (37.78oC) or has a pH less than 2 or greater than 12.5
  • Organic Peroxide – an organic compound containing the chemical bond, oxygen joined to oxygen
  • Poison – a substance so toxic that it presents a risk to life or health
  • Compressed Gas – a substance in gas or liquid form contained in a vessel under pressure
  • Cryogenics – extremely cold substances that can pose injury or asphyxiation hazards if spilled in non-ventilated areas
  • Radioactive – any material having a specific activity greater than 0.002 micro curies per gram (uCi/g)
  • Biomedical – tissues, organs, and blood from humans and primates

Storage of hazardous materials

In order to safely and properly handle and store hazardous materials, it is important to know the hazards of those materials. A warehouse can contain any number of hazardous materials. Each of the hazmats classifications imposes consequent packaging and environmental demands during storage.

The most important storage challenge is safe packaging that must be 100 per cent fit for purpose and also conform to relevant regulations.

Hazardous goods regulations

The United Nations (UN) has issued strict regulations on the packaging used to transport hazardous goods, particularly when it comes to protection against leakage. UN guidelines state that packaging must meet four key criteria:

  • It must safeguard against leakage of contents
  • The packaging must not itself contain dangerous materials or be reactive with the contents
  • Its closure mechanism and seal must be strong and water-tight
  • When goods are being transported by airplane, packaging must also protect against the drop in atmospheric pressure, which might containers to burst

UN Hazmats marking

No hazardous material can be legally transported without its packaging displaying the relevant UN hazmats mark. This both identifies the precise nature of the material and also certifies that its packaging meets the regulatory criteria, meaning it has successfully passed a series of dropping and stability tests. The extent of testing is dependent on the Packaging Group (PG) that the material falls into:

PG I: Highest hazard
PG II: Medium hazard
PG III: Low hazard

A UN mark is valid for five years and guarantees the safety of packaging for that time.

Packaging hazardous materials

Every chemical has a UN-number that determines the type of packaging that is required, and specifies the maximum weight of product that may be contained within each package. This number can be found on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of all solid goods.

All CurTec packaging is qualified as UN Packaging Code type 1H2, meaning that they are drums (1) made of plastic material (H) with removable lids (2).

MSDS also indicates a UN code for Performance Level, identifying the performance standard of the package: X, Y or Z, and which Packing Group tests have been met.

All CurTec High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) drums are X rated, meaning that they meet the requirements for PG I, PG II or PG III. In contrast Y rated containers can only be used for PG II or PG III, while Z-rating means the container can be used for PG III only.

Hazmats packaging safeguards

To ensure your hazardous goods are safely transported, it is important to choose the right packaging. Each year around 54 per cent of hazardous goods ready for shipping are rejected as unsafe during an initial inspection.

This is normally because one of the following four safeguards has been ignored:

Correct packaging choice: The first step in safe transport of hazardous materials is to choose the right packaging. This is fundamental and common sense and yet is also one of the most common hazmat violations. This means thinking about the basic nature of the goods (liquid, solid, acidic, corrosive, UN number, etc.) and the means of transport to be employed. Essentially, the UN number cross referenced with the MSDS will help make the correct packaging choice.

Secure closure: Many of the leakage incidents that happen every year (frequently serious) occur simply because the package has not been closed properly or has come open in transit. Where secure closure is a must (and that means always with hazmats) then a seal or other locking device should be used. All UN-certified packaging also comes with a report and manual that defines the correct closure method to be employed. CurTec supplies these with all its certified drums, packs and containers.

It is also important to ensure that hazardous materials are secured against ingress of moisture. This is particularly important with chemicals like potassium or sodium that become unstable or even explosive when exposed to water. CurTec specializes in providing containers and drums that are proof against moisture ingress or contamination.

Improper securing and packaging during transport: About a third of hazmat violations during transport are due to improper securing of load. During road or rail transport, goods are exposed to pressure, crushing, impact and other stresses. Additionally, air cargoes can be subject to internal stresses caused by pressure variations. Wherever possible, Goods should be containerized or palletized and securely strapped and netted to the loading device.

Reuse: While it may be environmentally desirable to reuse packaging, this needs to be done with care where hazmats are concerned. The two most important factors are that containers are thoroughly cleaned before re-use and that it remains serviceable.
The legal storage life of UN packaging is five years after production, after which it may no longer be used.

Validating hazmats suitability

CurTec’s statements on quality, effectiveness and moisture resistant integrity of its drums are fully supported by solid scientific proof.

All CurTec drums are fully tested and measured against rigorous American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, plastics composition and sealing integrity validated and registered.

Alternatively, customers can simply send the MSDS for any particular hazardous material to CurTec, who will then advise on fully safe and compliant packaging.

Resources

Click on Mastering the logistics of hazardous materials for more information.
Click on CurTec to contact the company directly

 

Curtec’s UN chemical packaging groups

Curtec’s UN chemical packaging groups

The Curtec Click Pack just one choice. If you are unsure of you requirements send them your Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

The Curtec Click Pack just one choice. If you are unsure of you requirements send them your Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)


Supplier Information
Supplier: CurTec International
Address: Spoorlaan Noord 92, P.O. Box 25, 5120 AA Rijen, Netherlands
Tel: +31 88 808 2000
Fax: +31 88 808 2260
Website: www.curtec.com