4.7.1 INTRODUCTION
Correct labelling of all dangerous goods and containers is required to facilitate their identification and hazards associated with their transport, handling, storage and use, so as to reduce the risk to personnel and property.
Suppliers of chemicals and chemically formulated materials to ADGAS are required to supply all necessary information on the relevant MSDS and label all materials and containers according to legislative requirements.
4.7.2 ARABIC WARNING
Any door or hatch giving access to any place at which radioactive, corrosive, toxic or explosive substances are stored shall bear on the outside the word "DANGER" in red Arabic and English capital letters at least 50 mm high with an adequate description or indication of the substances in question. This is to be in addition to any other required signage.
4.7.3 CLASSES
Dangerous goods are each assigned to a class representing their major hazard under transport, storage and handling conditions.
Some materials may also bear a subsidiary risk label if warranted by the hazards they represent. Subsidiary risk labels do not carry the class number.
4.7.4 SUB-DIVISIONS
In addition to the allotted class number given each substance, e.g. No. 2 - Gases, 3 - Flammable liquids, the class may be subdivided relative to the type and degree of hazard. Class 6- Poisonous Substances is sub-divided into, 6.1 Toxic Substances and 6.2 Infectious. Refer to Table 4-2.
4.7.5 LABELLING REQUIREMENTS
Hazardous substances labelling must give the following information:
· Full chemical name (if a pure chemical)
· Full proprietary name
· Active ingredients and/or major components
· Appropriate poison label if required
· Appropriate hazard label if required
· UN number
· First aid advice
· Name, address and telephone number of manufacturer or supplier
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Further Information
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (air transport) International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code
These authorities are most commonly referred to for air and sea shipment of materials to Das Island. Refer to Table 4-2.
Classes Subdivisions
Class 1 Explosives Divisions 1.1 to 1.5 in accordance
with the nature of the hazard.
Class 2 Gases: compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure
2.1. Flammable gases 2.2. Non-Flammable gases 2.3. Poisonous (toxic)gases Class 3 Flammable liquids 3.1. Liquids with a flashpoint
below 23oC (closed cup test)- (highly flammable)
3.2. Liquids with a flash point of 230C or more up to and including 610C
Class 4 Flammable substances other than those of classes 1.2.3 and 5.2
4.1. Flammable solids 4.2. Substances liable to spontaneous combustion 4.3. Substances which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5 Oxidising substances 5.1. Oxidising agents (oxidising substances other than organic peroxides)
5.2. Organic peroxides Class 6 Poisonous (toxic) or infectious
substances
6.1. Toxic substances 6.2. Infectious substances Class 7 Radioactive substances Category 1
White
Class 8 Corrosive substances No subdivision of class Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous
substances
No subdivision of class
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Table 4-2: Classification System.
4.7.6 NON HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Non-hazardous substances are those not classified as dangerous goods under United Nations classification system.
Labels on all containers, packets, tins and the like for non-hazardous substances must show:
· Full chemical name (if a pure chemical)
· Full proprietary name
· Active ingredients and/or major components
· Name, address and telephone number of manufacturer and/or supplier 4.7.7 CLASS LABELS/HAZARD DIAMONDS
Class labels (hazard diamonds) found on containers of hazardous substances may be either stick on metal plates or stencilled or printed on the container.
Sizing of class labels is according to the volume and mass of the container.
Each class may be identified by its label colour:
CLASS LABEL COLOUR
Class 1 Explosives orange
Class 2 Gases red, green or white
Class 3 Flammable liquids red
Class 4 Flammable solids red, white or blue
Class 5 Oxidising agents yellow
Class 6 Poisonous or infectious white
Class 7 Radioactive yellow or white
Class 8 Corrosive black and white
Table 4-3: Label Colours
4.7.8 RISK PHRASES
Risk phrases (R-phrases) convey a general description of the risk relative to the material, to supplement the class labels.
The R system runs from R1 to R43, examples are R1-'explosive when dry' and R11-'highly flammable'.
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When the R numbers are combined, this indicates a combination of two hazards from the material, e.g. R15/29 - contact with water liberates toxic, highly flammable gas.
4.7.9 SAFETY PHRASES
Safety phrases (S-phrases) provide information on safe storage, handling and personal protection.
The S system runs from S1 to S49. Examples are:
S15 - 'keep away from heat' and S37 - 'wear suitable gloves' 4.7.10 UN NUMBERS
The UN (United Nations) Substance Identification Numbers are used in conjunction with other systems of labelling on packages and in particular on shipping manifests for transport to the Island.
Comprising a series of four-digit numbers, each number represents a substance, or class of substances with like characteristics. They are primarily intended to facilitate the identification of substances without the need for a knowledge of the language in which the chemical name of the substance is printed. Their use has also proved to be of great value for emergency services and the correct relaying of long or complex substance names, thus allowing error-free identification.
4.7.11 NFPA SYSTEM
This system was developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the United States of America.
The unique coded NFPA diamond symbol gives a quick visual indication of the degree of hazard associated with that substance in the field of health, flammability and reactivity.
4.7.12 GENERAL SAFETY
All decanted hazardous substances must be fully labelled according to the regulations in the same way as the parent package.
All containers of hazardous materials must remain labelled until cleaned and free of the substance that they contained.
If the contents of a container cannot be positively identified, the contents must be safely packaged, labelled 'CAUTION: DO NOT USE-UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE', shipped and disposed of in a safe manner.
4.7.13 INFORMATION
On Das island information on any hazardous chemical may be found by reference to:
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· Hazardous Substances Manual.
· MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) provided by the manufacturer/supplier of a substance.
· Placards on larger containers showing the nature and hazards associated with a particular chemical
· Identification of hazardous products in pipes and vessel by labels and colour coding.
4.7.14 RESPONSIBILITIES 4.7.14.1 NEW CHEMICALS
It is the responsibility of the relevant Divisional/Departmental Manager to ensure that no new chemicals are used without the accompanying MSDS being available in the
Hazardous Substance Manual.
4.7.14.2 TRAINING
All users through training must understand how to access MSDS in the Hazardous Substance Manual and be able to apply the information in terms of the health and safety effects, precautions/protective measures and application of these measures appropriate to the hazard.
4.7.14.3 COMMUNICATION
Each Supervisor and Manager must ensure that sufficient people know how to access the information, apply it and pass it on to users in a usable form.