DGR Compliance Group

South Africa’s PREMIUM Transport Emergency Card (TEC™)

South African Legislation

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations as set out in the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 are intended to promote the safe transportation of hazardous material through the effective management of systems and processes.

With tons of dangerous goods being transported throughout South Africa and across the African continent every year, it is important to ensure the safety of this travel. Dangerous Goods can include everything from explosives, flammables, and corrosive or toxic chemicals to spent reactor fuel, low-level radioactive wastes, and disease-causing biological agents. If not controlled properly, these hazardous substances could present a potential hazard to human health and safety as well as that of the surrounding environment.

The National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996

The National Road Traffic Act was implemented in August 2000. This legislation included provisions for the road transport of Dangerous Goods as listed in SANS10228 and the relevant regulations were enforced from 3 August 2001. Since then, the legislation has been updated to reflect new changes in regulations.

Who does this affect? Dangerous Goods Regulations require all individuals, companies or entities involved in the handling, warehousing, and transporting of dangerous goods to receive training and abide by the South African Codes of Practice outlined in the Act and relevant standards.

Failure to meet the dangerous goods requirements as legislated by the National Road Traffic Act of South Africa and its amendments could result in heavy fines and penalties, putting your business at risk and could cost you your reputation. Violations include: incorrect or missing dangerous goods declaration, failure to meet trem card regulations, no designated space for documents, no danger warning diamond displayed, operator not registered as a dangerous goods carrier – the list goes on.

Not sure if you comply? Contact us today to request a consultation

Examples of Dangerous Goods Hazard Classes

CLASS 1: EXPLOSIVES

SUB CLASS 1.1: SUBSTANCES & ARTICLES WHICH HAVE A MASS EXPLOSION HAZARDA mass explosion is one which affects almost the entire load virtually instantaneously 

Examples:

  • UN0027 Black Powder (Gun Powder)
  • UN0065 Cord, Detonating, Flexible
  • UN0073 Detonators for Ammunition

SUB CLASS 1.2: SUBSTANCES & ARTICLES WHICH HAVE A PROJECTION HAZARD BUT NOT A MASS EXPLOSION HAZARD

Examples:

  • UN0035 Bombs with Bursting Charge
  • UN0364 Detonators for Ammunition
  • UN0375 Sounding Devices, Explosive

SUB CLASS 1.3: SUBSTANCES & ARTICLES WHICH HAVE A FIRE HAZARD & EITHER A MINOR BLAST HAZARD OR A MINOR PROJECTION HAZARD OR BOTH, BUT NOT A MASS EXPLOSION HAZARD

These explosives give rise to considerable radiant heat, or burn one after the other, producing minor blast or projection effects or both

Examples:

  • UN0054 Cartridges, Signal
  • UN0305 Flash Powder
  • UN0487 Signals, Smoke

SUB CLASS 1.4: SUBSTANCES & ARTICLES WHICH PRESENT NO SIGNIFICANT HAZARD

This division comprises substances and articles which present only a small hazard in the event of ignition or initiation during transport. The effects are largely confined to the package and no projection of fragments of appreciable size or range is to be expected. An external fire does not cause virtually instantaneous explosion of almost the entire contents of the package

Examples:

  • UN0066 Igniter Cord
  • UN0036 Fireworks
  • UN0404 Flares, Aerial

SUB CLASS 1.5: VERY INSENSITIVE SUBSTANCES WHICH HAVE A MASS EXPLOSION HAZARD

This division comprises substances which have a mass explosion hazard but are so insensitive that there is very little probability of initiation or transition from burning to detonation under normal conditions of transport

Examples:

  • UN0331 Agent, Explosive, Blasting, Type B
  • UN0332 Agent, Explosive, Blasting, Type E
  • UN0482 Substances, Explosive, Very Insensitive, N.O.S.

SUB CLASS 1.6: EXTREMELY INSENSITIVE ARTICLES WHICH DO NOT HAVE A MASS EXPLOSION HAZARD

This division comprises articles which contain only extremely insensitive detonating substances and which demonstrate a negligible probability of accidental initiation or propagation

Example:

  • UN0486 Articles, Explosive, Extremely Insensitive

CLASS 2: GASES

SUB CLASS 2.1: FLAMMABLE GAS

Any gas which is ignitable when mixed with air in certain mixture ratios

Examples:

  • UN1075 Liquefied Petroleum Gas
  • UN1950 Aerosols, Flammable
  • UN1978 Propane

SUB CLASS 2.2: NON-FLAMMABLE, NON-TOXIC (NON POISONOUS) GAS

Gases which are transported at a pressure not less than 280kpa at 280°C or as refrigerated liquefied gases, and which are asphyxiate or oxidising

Examples:

  • UN1002 Compressed Air
  • UN1963 Helium, Refrigerated Liquid
  • UN1977 Nitrogen, Refrigerated Liquid

SUB CLASS 2.3: TOXIC (POISONOUS) GAS

These gases are so toxic or corrosive as to pose a hazard to health

Examples:

  • UN1017 Chlorine
  • UN1660 Compressed Nitric Oxide
  • UN2901 Bromine Chloride

CLASS 3: FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS

Any liquid, the flash point of which is not more than 60.5°C. Also liquefied desensitised explosives, with no explosive properties, are included in this class.

Note: Flash point is not a temperature at which a liquid can ignite spontaneously. It is the lowest temperature of a liquid at which flammable vapour is given off in a test vessel in sufficient concentration to be ignited in air when exposed momentarily to a source of ignition.

Examples:

  • UN1114 Benzene
  • UN1203 Petrol
  • UN1263 Paint

CLASS 4: FLAMMABLE SOLIDS

 

SUB CLASS 4.1: FLAMMABLE SOLIDS

Solids which are readily combustible, or may cause or contribute to fire through friction, or self-reactive substances

Examples:

  • UN1350 Sulphur
  • UN1944 Safety Matches
  • UN2717 Camphor

SUB CLASS 4.2: SUBSTANCES LIABLE TO SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Any substance which is liable to heating up or igniting in contact with air

Examples:

  • UN1362 Activated Carbon
  • UN3051 Aluminium Alkyls
  • UN3342 Xanthates

SUB CLASS 4.3: SUBSTANCES WHICH, ON CONTACT WITH WATER, EMIT FLAMMABLE GASES

When interacting with water, these substances are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases (decomposes water into hydrogen & oxygen)

CLASS 5: OXIDISING SUBSTANCES & ORGANIC PEROXIDES

SUB CLASS 5.1: OXIDISING SUBSTANCES

Substances which may, by yielding oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other material

Examples:

  • UN1466 Ferric Nitrate
  • UN1748 Calcium Hypochlorite Mixture, Dry
  • UN1872 Lead Dioxide

SUB CLASS 5.2: ORGANIC PEROXIDES

Unstable organic materials that ignite readily or react dangerously with other substances

Examples:

  • UN3102 Organic Peroxide Type B, Solid
  • UN3114 Organic Peroxide Type C, Solid, Temperature Controlled
  • UN3120 Organic Peroxide Type F, Solid

CLASS 6: TOXIC (POISONOUS) & INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SUB CLASS 6.1: TOXIC (POISONOUS) SUBSTANCES

Liquid or solid substances that are dangerous if inhaled or swallowed or absorbed through the skin

Examples:

  • UN1199 Furaldehydes
  • UN1558 Arsenic
  • UN3373 Sodium Cyanide, Solid

SUB CLASS 6.2: INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

Substances known to contain, or reasonably expected to contain, pathogens. Pathogens are defined as micro-organisms (including bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, parasites, fungi) or recombinant micro-organisms that are known or reasonably expected to cause infectious disease in humans or animals

Examples:

  • UN2814 Infectious Substances affecting Humans
  • UN3291 Clinical or Biological Waste, Unspecified N.O.S.
  • UN3373 Diagnostic Specimens or Clinical Specimens

CLASS 7: RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

Max radiation level at any point on the external surface of the container: (The Sievert symbol: Sv is the derived unit of dose equivalent)

SUB CLASS 7(I)Less than or equal to 0.005 msv/h (0.5mrem/h)Example:

  • UN2909 Radioactive Material, Excepted Package – Articles manufactured from Natural Uranium or Depleted Uranium or Natural Thorium

SUB CLASS 7(II)Greater than 0.005 msv/h (0.5mrem/h) but less than or equal to 0.5msv/h (50mrem/h)Example:

  • UN3332 Radioactive Material, Type A Package, Special Form, Non Fissile or Fissile Excepted

SUB CLASS 7 (III)Greater than 0.5msv/h (50mrem/h) but less than or equal to 2 msv/h (200mrem/h)

Example:

  • UN2915 Radioactive Material, Type A Package, Non Special Form, Non Fissile or Fissile Excepted

CLASS 8: CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES

Substances which can cause visible damage to the skin or other living tissue or which can damage other cargo.

Examples:

  • UN1716 Acetyl Bromide
  • UN1830 Sulphuric Acid with more than 51% Acid
  • UN2802 Copper Chloride
  • UN1824 Sodium Hydroxide Solution
  • UN1825 Sodium Monoxide
  • UN2054 Morpholine

CLASS 9: MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES & ARTICLES

Substances and articles which, during transport, present a danger not covered by other classes. Substances which pose a hazard to marine life, aquatic life, animals & air – frequently used for substances & articles being transported by airplane

Examples:

  • UN2590 White Asbestos
  • UN3077 Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Solid, N.O.S.
  • UN3268 Seat Belt Pretentioners

MARINE POLLUTANT

Any substance that will have a harmful effect on or in any waterway or aquatic system must display this label

Example:

  • UN3082 Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Liquid, N.O.S.

ENVIRONMENTAL

The environmental hazard symbol shall be used when a spill will pose a threat of a temporary nature to any ecological system, for example, a water pollutant that would endanger aquatic life
Examples:

  • Milk
  • Wine
  • Spirits
  • SLIPPERY

    The slippery hazard symbol shall be used when spills will result in slippery road conditions that could lead to accidents)
    Examples:

  • Petroleum Based Products that are classified as Dangerous Goods Waxes, including wax emulsions in water Vegetable Oil
  • LOW HAZARD GOODS IN BULK

    FINE DUST

    The fine dust hazard symbol shall be used when spills will result in fine dust that could present a breathing hazard, or cause irritation of the mucous membrane, or affect road visibility)
    Examples:

  • Flour
  • Sand or any granular material that contains a portion of fine particles
  • Cereals and other plant seeds that contain a portion of fine particles
  • SPRAYING WITH WATER

    The symbol for the hazard caused by spraying with water shall be used when spraying with water could result in slippery conditions
    Examples:

  • Surfactants in powder form
  • Soap powder
  • Certain water-treatment chemicals, e.g. Flocculants
  • MINIMAL

    The minimal hazard symbol shall be used when the goods being transported present no greater hazard than that presented by a wet road and have no adverse effect on the environment
    Examples:

  • Potable water
  • Very dilute solutions in water
  • SA Legislation

    Do you comply with SA Dangerous Good Regulations?

    REQUEST A CONSULTATION 

    Get in touch with us to find out how we can assist you to become legally compliant.