5 The completely unexpected. 6 Human factors – regional and company attitudes.


1 Mis-declaration or non-declaration by shippers


There are many ways in which chemicals can be combined to make new substances. Dangerous goods not listed by name in the IMDG Code Dangerous Goods List must be tested by the shipper to check for hazardous properties, then shipped under a generic hazard classification.


It is possible for hazards to not be declared under these circumstances, either because of lack of time to test, lack of test facilities, making false assumptions, lack of product knowledge, lack of knowledge of the requirement to make an IMDG Code declaration or how to make one, or even wilful withholding of information to avoid dangerous goods surcharges.


Top photo: When mechanical handling systems drop containers, cargo can be badly damaged while the container remains unmarked.


Lower photo: When this container was dropped, several drums were badly distorted. If the container had not been inspected but simply loaded to the ship, the likelihood is that many drums would have burst during the sea voyage.


2 Quality and selection of packaging


Like a time bomb, defective or incompatible packaging may fail and release product at any point in a voyage. Defects are difficult to spot until the package fails.


In the example illustrated, new UN standard steel drums failed because small pieces of clinker (mill scale) were rolled into the sheet steel from which the drums were made. During the voyage, the mill scale broke out leaving holes in the drums. The IMDG Code specifies the quality of packaging, and failure to meet that standard was the cause of this incident. Fortunately the cargo was declared and stowed according to IMDG rules and the crew were able to deal with the problem appropriately.


Beware of reconditioned drums


Photos above: These allegedly UN standard drums failed because of a steel manufacturing fault. Examination showed also that the internal surfaces of the drums were not painted and were heavily corroded before filling.


5


There is a market in low-cost second hand and reconditioned steel and plastic drums. They are often used for low value, low profit substances such as tar oils and creosotes. Reconditioned steel drums have been known to fail because of brittle metal fracture. The


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