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OOSC, Part III, Item 1. Shipping Papers - General (Correct & Accurate Description)

Entry DateAugust 30, 2006
Issue Number06-025-HAZ
NameAlf Brown
AgencyOntario Ministry of Transportation
Address301 St. Paul Street, 3rd FloorSt. Catharines, ON, Canada, L2R 7R4United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab)
Phone(905) 704-2342
Fax(905) 704-2467
Email[email protected]
CommitteeHazardous Materials Committee
StatusClosed
Summary of Issue

Part III of the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria for HM/DG in respect of shipping papers should be more specific in respect to the information required on the shipping paper. The criteria says if the shipping paper does not indicate the HM/DG being transported. Indicates is to general of a term. I have been advised that \"indicates\" should be interpreted to mean that the document must include at least the shipping name or the UN #.

Justification or Need

"Indicate" should be more specific, often the shipping name or UN # will not identify the hazard to a first responder if they do not have access to an Emergency Response Guidebook. For example a document indicating ethylene oxide does not indicate to a person that it is a toxic gas which is also flammable. However the class both primary and subsidiary will indicate the hazard to a first responder without the assistance of an Emergency Response Guidebook.

Request for Action

The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria should be amended to require the shipping paper to include the complete and correct description of the HM/DG being transported including the proper shipping name, the UN #, Primary Class, Subsidiary Class (Compatibility Group), Packing Group / Risk Group.