Transportation of dangerous goods: what you need to know in order not to land

What are dangerous goods and why is their transportation not a joke?

Substances or materials that can cause serious harm to people, animals, the environment, or property are considered dangerous.

There are 9 classes of dangerous goods in total according to ADR:

• Explosives
• Gases
• Flammable liquids
• Flammable solid
• Oxidizing
• Poisonous and infectious
• Radioactive materials
• Corrosive
• Other dangerous substances

One small mistake during transportation can lead to a fire, explosion or pollution of nature.

Transportation of such materials requires special attention and strict compliance with safety regulations. Special containers, labeling, trained drivers and clear instructions are not just formalities, but vital measures that help avoid accidents and preserve health. You can't afford to be negligent, the lives of not only those involved in cargo transportation depend on it, but everyone around you. Any violation is a risk of an accident and serious consequences.

An example of an accident and the consequences of a violation of the rules of carriage:

In 2020, near Kazan, a driver transported a tank with gasoline without proper paperwork and labeling. As a result of the accident, a fire broke out, the damage amounted to more than 7 million rubles. The driver received a real sentence for negligence.

ADR: the main rules that every carrier should know

ADR (ADR) is an international treaty on the movement of dangerous goods by road. If you are going to ignore these rules, be prepared to pay a fine of up to 500 thousand rubles or face criminal liability.

Mandatory labeling, packaging, and documentation requirements:

• Marking of cargo with special danger signs.
• Using certified packaging.
• Availability of a cargo safety data sheet.
• Correct registration of the bill of lading.

Transportation license: who needs it, how to get it, and how much does it cost?

All companies that transport chemicals and other dangerous substances of grades 1-7 need a license. It is prohibited to work without a license in accordance with Federal Law No. 99-FZ "On Licensing certain types of Activities."

Step-by-step instructions for obtaining a license:

1. Prepare the following documents: company charter, certificate of registration, transport certificates.
2. Complete staff training on ADR.
3. Submit an application to Rostransnadzor.
4. Check your equipment and documents.
5. Get a license.

Registration takes up to 1.5 months. The cost of the state duty is 7,500 rubles.

Intermediary services from 30 thousand rubles.

What documents should the driver and the company have?

How to properly issue a bill of lading and a cargo safety data sheet

• All information about the cargo should be clearly indicated in the documents: what is its hazard class, volume, route of transportation and contacts of responsible people.
• Make sure that all the data specified in the documents match the actual characteristics of the cargo and the conditions of its transportation.
• Make sure that the documents have all the necessary signatures, seals and the date of registration is indicated.

Advice:

— use standard forms of documents that are suitable for current laws and regulations.

— if special certificates or permits are required for your product, attach copies of them to the main documents.

— keep copies of all completed documents until the shipment is delivered and the recipient confirms its receipt.

Types of penalties for violation of the rules of transportation of dangerous goods

If you violate the rules of their transportation, you will face a fine or even more serious punishment. The amount depends on who exactly committed the violation — a person or an organization.

Table of fines for individuals and legal entities

When does criminal liability occur and how to avoid it?

It occurs in accidents with serious consequences due to negligence or violations of safety rules (Article 247 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). This can only be avoided by strictly observing the requirements of ADR.

Conclusion

The transportation of dangerous goods is a serious responsibility that requires strict compliance with safety regulations and legislation. Mistakes in this process can lead to disastrous consequences, both for the carrier and for others. The key points of successful transportation will be knowledge of the classes of dangerous goods, mandatory labeling and packaging requirements, as well as the availability of necessary licenses and documents.  

Don't risk your safety and freedom.

Make sure that you are fully prepared to transport dangerous goods and check the availability of all documents and licenses.