1. Please read this before using presentation
This presentation is based on content presented at the Six Pillars of Dangerous Goods Transport information sessions held in October 2014
It is made available for non-commercial use (e.g. toolbox meetings, safety discussions) subject to the condition that the PowerPoint file is not altered without permission from Resources Safety
Supporting resources, such as brochures and posters, are available from Resources Safety
For resources, information or clarification, please contact:
or visit

2. Packaging
Learn how to quickly identify if the dangerous goods is packaged in the correct container

3. Six pillars of dangerous goods transport
This presentation focuses on packaging, one of the Six Pillars of Dangerous Goods Transport. What are the six visible elements of your transport system for dangerous goods? [LISTED IN GRAPHIC]
The Department of Mines and Petroleum views training as the platform that holds these elements or pillars together.
Packaged dangerous goods transport has often been afforded a low priority in organisations that cart general freight- the poor cousin of bulk tanker transport. However, when you consider that dangerous goods freight movement currently constitutes 8% of road transport activity, the safe movement of multitudes of placard and sub-placard loads is important in terms of road networks and the exposure of the public.
The risk to personnel in your transport activity is determined by the integrity of the packaging. Pause and consider the effects of a single 32 kg chlorine cylinder releasing its contents while your driver is checking the pallet restraints and tyre pressures after a rest break.
This information presented here is a snapshot of the common considerations applied to the transport of packaged dangerous goods. Each business will have some unique challenges for carting mixed loads and a range of container types. Nevertheless, applying the safe transport principles stipulated in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code will guide you toward minimising risk.
There are five other toolbox presentations in the Six Pillars series available at They related directly to the self-audit template for prime contractors available on the Resources Safety website at
The audit can be used to conduct a “health check” of your dangerous goods transport system.

4. Packaging hazards
If packaging is unsuitable, there is a high potential for spills
If packaging is damaged then the contents can spill, presenting a serious health risk to anyone who is exposed
First responders need to be able to see the label and identify the types of dangerous goods present before taking any action to minimise any risk
Correct emergency information panel (EIP) ensures that correct emergency response personnel are contacted
Labelling is important!

5. Packaging – regulations 66, 67
A prime contractor (or driver) must not transport dangerous goods in any general packaging if the prime contractor knows, or ought reasonably to know, the packaging is damaged or defective to the extent that it is not safe to use to transport the goods.
Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007

6. Are consigned packages checked to confirm UN approval?
This company was found putting its liquid dangerous goods into a container approved for solids.
The container has the potential to rupture if the contents and packaging aren’t compatible.
This UN approval marking is incorrect and should be embossed. It should include UN, 1H for plastic drum. Also note that S = Solids.

7. UN approval markings
4G/Y145/S/02/AUS/901 For a fibreboard box 1A2/Y1.4/l50/98/NL/VL8 For a new steel drum to contain liquids with a removable head
Some examples of UN markings found on approved packages

8. Package marking codes
The package marking as applicable is required to be in the following order separated by a slash and beginning with:
Then designating the type of packaging with:
the following numerals for the kinds of packaging
1 – Drum
3 – Jerrican
4 – Box
5 – Bag
6 – Composite Packaging
 the following capital letters for the types of materials
A – Steel (all types and surface treatments)
B – Aluminium
C – Natural Wood
D – Plywood
F – Reconstituted wood
G – Fibreboard
H – Plastics material
L – Textile
M – Paper, multiwall
N – Metal (other than steel or aluminium)
P – Glass, porcelain or stoneware
Want to know what the codes on your dangerous goods packages mean? This list shows some of them.
See ADG7.3 for more information.

9. Package marking codes Then the codes
X for packing groups I, II and III
Y for packing groups II and III
Z for packing group III only
Mass or density
and
S or kPa liquids
YY, and for plastics
Finally :
Country ID code (eg AUS)
Manufacturer and
For steel drums > 100 L the steel the thickness in mm
Some more packaging codes

10. How are defective or leaking containers identified and handled?
These non-approved containers were being used to transport dangerous goods. They are clearly leaking.

11. larger approved packaging
What system is in place to handle and safely deal with defective or leaking packaging?
Re-packing
salvage packaging or
larger approved packaging
Overpacks are used for leaking or defective dangerous goods containers

12. Packing dangerous goods – general
See ADG7.3 list for packing instruction - choose appropriate packaging using Chapter 4
See ADG7.3 for information on how to pack your dangerous goods.

13. Packing dangerous goods – general
Maximum allowable life for plastics is < 5 years
No reuse of plastics, or reprocessed steel, packaging for PGI
IBCs filled prior to expiry date may be transported within 3 months after the expiry date
Empty IBCs may be transported for 6 months after the expiry date
These are some basic rules for dangerous goods packages.
Don’t break them – they are there to protect you and other road users!

14. Packaging – regulations 74, 75
Other packaging means demountable tanks, portable tanks, MEGCs, bulk containers, freight containers and tanks on tank vehicles A prime contractor (or driver) must not transport dangerous goods in any other packaging if — (a) the packaging is unsuitable for the transport of the goods; or (b) the goods have not been packed in accordance with any relevant provision of the ADG Code Part 4
Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007

15. Packaging – regulation 53
(1) Packaging is unsuitable for the transport of dangerous goods if —
(a) it is required to undergo performance tests under the ADG Code Part 6 and it is not approved packaging; or
(b) it does not meet any relevant standards or requirements specified by the ADG Code Part 4 or 6 (including requirements with respect to inspection, maintenance and repair); or
(c) its use, or reuse, for the transport of the goods does not comply with the ADG Code Part 4 or 6; or
(d) its use for the transport of the goods is prohibited by a determination; or
(e) it is incompatible with the goods; or
(f) it is damaged or defective to the extent that it is not safe to use to transport the goods.
Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007

16. Packaging – regulation 53
(2) A freight container is also unsuitable for use as a bulk container for the transport of dangerous goods if it does not have affixed to it a Safety Approval Plate as required under the International Convention for Safe Containers 1972.
Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007

17. Are consigned packages checked to confirm UN approval?
Check the UN approval markings are correct for the type of dangerous goods

18. UN markings for IBCs Letter Code for IBC:
11, 21 or 31 – A,B, N Metal Steel
13 – H, L or M Flexible
11, 21 or 31 – H Rigid Plastic
11, 21 or 31 – HZ Composite
11 – C, D, or F Wooden 
capital letters used for the types of materials:
A – Steel (all types and surface treatments)
B – Aluminium
C – Natural Wood
D – Plywood
F – Reconstituted wood
G – Fibreboard
H – Plastics material
L – Textile
M – Paper, multiwall
N – Metal (other than steel or aluminium)
P – Glass, porcelain or stoneware
X for packing groups I, II and III
Y for packing groups II and III
Z for packing group III only
Mm, yy of manufacture
State and approval number
Stacking test or 0
Mass
What the UN marking codes actually mean

19. IBC additional marking
Your IBC must also have these additional marks on it

20. IBC stacking
Be careful when stacking IBCs – some must not be stacked!

21. Suitable for transport?
What evidence is needed to accept placardable units, portable tanks, MEGCs and freight containers as suitable for transport?
Check the compliance plate!

22. Recommendations
See Section of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7.3 for information on packaging codes
Inspect packaging and freight containers to ensure the information on the markings regarding type of packaging matches the item
Do not transport the goods if the packaging markings are incorrect or there is damaged packaging
Please contact the supplier, a dangerous goods specialist or an emergency responder

23. Email packages@dmp.wa.gov.au
Any questions…
For further information on Dangerous Goods Transport, send an to these addresses

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