Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

To be specific, the transportation of dangerous goods must comply with the following regulations:

Requirements for participants in the transportation of dangerous goods

Participants in the transportation of dangerous goods must meet the following conditions:

- Train dispatchers, station masters on duty, train conductors, shunting team members (chief shunters; locomotive and car connector shunters; switchmen on duty), chemical operation staff at stations, train drivers operating vehicles transporting dangerous goods, warehouse keepers, and persons loading and unloading dangerous goods at stations and yards must undergo training organized by railway business enterprises on occupational safety and hygiene as per the legal regulations on occupational safety, hygiene, and professional training on dangerous goods transportation according to the content and program guidelines stipulated by competent authorities.- The training content related to each cargo group and type of goods includes:- Physical and chemical characteristics of dangerous goods;- Assessment and detection of risks and hazards during the transportation of dangerous goods;- Preventive measures and improvement of working conditions during the transportation of dangerous goods;- Handling incidents occurring during the storage, loading, unloading, and transportation of dangerous goods.

Loading, unloading, and storage of dangerous goods

- Persons loading, unloading, and storing dangerous goods must carry out these tasks per the instructions of competent authorities.- Based on the regulations of the Ministry of Transport, competent authorities, and the instructions of the transport contractor, the person primarily responsible for receiving and organizing the transportation of dangerous goods decides on the plan for loading and reinforcing dangerous goods and directs relevant positions to perform loading and unloading compliantly.- The loading and reinforcing of dangerous goods on rail transportation means must follow the loading plan;- It is prohibited to load together dangerous goods that enhance or create greater danger when loaded together in the same car;- The formation of trains transporting dangerous goods must comply with the regulations on the transportation of that type and group of dangerous goods.- The loading and unloading of dangerous goods in station, port, and yard warehouses must follow the instructions of the warehouse keeper. Based on the regulations of the Ministry of Transport, competent authorities, and the transport contractor's instructions, the warehouse keeper guides and supervises the loading and unloading of dangerous goods in the warehouse and yard and is responsible during the time the dangerous goods are stored in the warehouse and yard.- For types and groups of dangerous goods required by regulations to be loaded, unloaded, and stored separately, they must be loaded, unloaded, and stored in specific areas to ensure safety according to the characteristics of those goods.- After removing all dangerous goods from the warehouse and yard, the storage area should be cleaned to prevent any impact on other goods.

Requirements for vehicles transporting dangerous goods and cleaning transport vehicles

- Vehicles must comply with the national technical standards issued by the Ministry of Transport and be suitable for the type of goods being transported.- After unloading all dangerous goods, the consignee is responsible for organizing the cleaning of the vehicle according to the guidelines, ensuring no harm to the railway and environment.- The site for cleaning vehicles transporting dangerous goods is conducted at stations that handle the unloading of dangerous goods. Waste and wastewater during the cleaning process must be collected, treated, and managed according to environmental protection laws.- Cleaning sequence for vehicles: After unloading dangerous goods, the vehicle must be cleaned in the following sequence:- Dry cleaning using methods such as scraping, sweeping, and collecting any spilled goods on the vehicle;- Wet cleaning of the vehicle using detergents, clean water;- Collecting, managing, and treating waste according to regulations.

Responsibilities of persons directly involved in transporting dangerous goods

According to Decree 65, persons directly transporting dangerous goods, including train dispatchers, station masters on duty, train conductors, shunting team members, chemical operation staff, and train drivers operating vehicles transporting dangerous goods, besides implementing the provisions of the Railway Law and related regulations in this Decree, have the additional responsibilities:

- Comply with the regulations stated in the permit for dangerous goods regarding the type, group, and name of the dangerous goods that require a permit;- Follow the instructions provided in the notification from the dangerous goods transport contractor;- Upon discovering an incident with dangerous goods posing a threat to the safety of people, vehicles, the environment, and other goods during transportation, promptly take measures to mitigate or eliminate the potential harm of the dangerous goods; make a report, notify the nearest local People's Committee, and relevant authorities for handling; if beyond their capability, report to higher authorities and the dangerous goods transport contractor for prompt resolution.

Regarding chemical operation staff:

- Prepare a file of dangerous goods including the transport document, loading diagram, and other related papers;- Regularly guide and supervise the loading and unloading of goods on the vehicle, preserving dangerous goods during transportation when there is no accompanying person;- Upon discovering an incident with dangerous goods posing a threat to the safety of people, vehicles, the environment, and other goods during transportation, promptly take measures to mitigate or eliminate the potential harm of the dangerous goods; make a report, notify the nearest local People's Committee, and relevant authorities for handling; if beyond their capability, report to higher authorities and the dangerous goods transport contractor for prompt resolution.

Refer to Decree 65/2018/ND-CP effective from July 01, 2018.

-Thao Uyen-

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