What are the requirements for transporting hazardous chemicals?

Safety in the storage and transportation of hazardous chemicals 1) Safety technologies and requirements for transporting hazardous chemicals. Accidents occur quite frequently during the transportation of chemicals; therefore, a thorough understanding of the safe transportation of such chemicals and familiarity with the relevant regulations are essential for reducing transportation accidents. 1. A qualification certification system shall be implemented for the transportation of hazardous chemicals; such transportation is not permitted without such certification. 2. To ship hazardous materials, relevant certificates must be presented, and the procedures must be carried out at the designated railway, transportation, shipping, and other authorities. The items being shipped must correspond to the descriptions listed on the shipping manifest. For hazardous materials that are not included in the **list of permitted items**, a technical evaluation report issued by the relevant authorities must be provided for approval. 3. Personnel responsible for loading and unloading hazardous materials shall wear appropriate protective equipment depending on the nature of the hazardous materials being handled. Loading and unloading must be done gently; dropping, dragging, heavy pressure, or friction are strictly prohibited. The packaging containers must not be damaged, and attention should be paid to the labels as well as to proper stacking of the materials. 4. Before loading and unloading hazardous materials, the vehicles (ships) and handling equipment must be properly ventilated and cleaned to ensure that no residues remain; for vehicles (ships) carrying highly toxic substances, they must be thoroughly washed after unloading. 5. When transporting items such as explosives, highly toxic substances, radioactive materials, flammable liquids, and combustible gases, transport vehicles that meet safety requirements must be used; the use of battery-powered vehicles, dump trucks, forklifts, bicycles, etc. for transporting such items is prohibited. When transporting strong oxidizers, explosives, and Class 1 flammable liquids packaged in iron drums, railway cars with iron bottom plates and truck trailers shall not be used if no reliable safety measures are in place ； The use of forklifts, loaders, and dump trucks to transport hazardous materials such as flammable and explosive liquefied gases is prohibited ； When transporting hazardous materials such as liquefied gases and flammable liquids in areas with high temperatures, sun protection facilities are necessary ； Radioactive materials shall be handled using specialized transport vehicles and carriers; loading and unloading machinery should have its load capacity reduced by 25% as specified ； Articles that burn in water and toxic substances are prohibited from being transported in small motor sailboats, small wooden boats, and concrete boats. 6. When transporting explosive, highly toxic, and radioactive materials, a dedicated escort must be assigned, with no fewer than 2 escorts. 7. Vehicles transporting hazardous materials must maintain a safe speed and keep an appropriate distance between vehicles; overtaking, speeding, and forced passing are strictly prohibited. The routes taken to transport hazardous materials must be approved in advance by the local public security traffic management authorities; transportation must take place along designated routes and at specified times, and it is not allowed to drive or stop on busy streets. 8. Motor vehicles transporting flammable and explosive materials shall be equipped with flame arresters on their exhaust pipes, and must display a “Hazardous Materials” sign. 9. When transporting bulk solid hazardous materials, measures such as fire prevention, explosion prevention, water protection, dust control, and shading should be taken according to their properties. 10. The transport of highly toxic chemicals by inland waterways and other enclosed waters is prohibited. When transporting highly toxic chemicals by road, the shipper shall apply to the local public security department at the county level in the destination for a permit allowing such transportation by road. When applying for a permit for the road transport of highly toxic chemicals, the shipper shall submit to the public security authorities documents detailing the name and quantity of the hazardous chemicals, as well as the place of departure and destination, the route of transport, the transporting company, the drivers, the escorts, and the qualifications of the operating and purchasing entities. 11. When transporting hazardous chemicals that require the addition of inhibitors or stabilizers, the shipper shall add such inhibitors or stabilizers at the time of shipment and inform the carrier thereof. 12 Hazardous chemicals transportation enterprises shall provide safety training to their drivers, crew members, loading and unloading supervisors, and escorts. Drivers, loading and unloading supervisors, and escorts must possess knowledge of safety procedures for transporting hazardous chemicals, and must pass the assessments conducted by the transportation authorities of the municipal governments in their respective areas. Crew members, on the other hand, must pass assessments carried out by maritime management agencies in order to obtain the necessary qualifications to carry out their duties. (II) Basic requirements for the storage of hazardous chemicals According to the provisions of GB 15603—1995 \"General Rules for the Storage of Commonly Used Chemical Hazards\", the basic safety requirements for storing hazardous chemicals are as follows: 1. The storage of hazardous chemicals must comply with **laws, regulations, and other relevant provisions. 2. Hazardous chemicals must be stored in specialized warehouses for hazardous chemicals approved by the public security authorities; the warehouses used by distributors for storing such chemicals, as well as the quantities stored, must also be approved by the public security authorities. Hazardous chemical storage warehouses must not be established arbitrarily without approval. 3. When hazardous chemicals are stored outdoors, they must meet the safety requirements regarding fire and explosion prevention. **Certain types of substances, highly flammable materials, materials that catch fire when exposed to moisture, and highly toxic substances shall not be stored outdoors. 4. Warehouses storing hazardous chemicals must be staffed with technical personnel possessing specialized knowledge. The warehouses and related areas should be under the supervision of dedicated personnel, who must be equipped with reliable personal protective equipment. 5. Hazardous chemicals stored shall be equipped with clear labels, and such labels shall comply with the provisions of GB 190. When two or more hazardous chemicals of different hazard levels are stored in the same area, the hazard symbols corresponding to the highest hazard level shall be used. 6. There are 3 methods for storing hazardous chemicals: isolated storage, separated storage, and separate storage. 7. Store hazardous chemicals in designated areas, categories, and warehouses based on their properties. All types of hazardous materials must not be stored together with prohibited substances. 8. Smoking and the use of open flames are strictly prohibited in buildings and areas where hazardous chemicals are stored. (III) Safety techniques for the classified storage of hazardous chemicals. Standards such as the \"General Rules for the Storage of Commonly Used Chemical Hazards\" (GB 15603–1995), the \"Technical Requirements for the Storage and Maintenance of Flammable and Explosive Goods\" (GB 17914–1999), the \"Technical Requirements for the Storage and Maintenance of Corrosive Goods\" (GB 17915–1999), and the \"Technical Requirements for the Storage and Maintenance of Toxic Goods\" (GB 17919–1999) specify the requirements for storage areas for hazardous chemicals, limits on storage quantities, as well as storage requirements for different categories of hazardous chemicals. (IV) Safety requirements for the packaging of hazardous chemicals. The \"General Technical Requirements for Transport Packaging of Dangerous Goods\" (GB 12463–1990) classifies the packaging of dangerous goods into 3 categories: 1. Category I packaging: The goods are highly hazardous, and high strength requirements are imposed on the packaging. 2. Class II packaging: The goods pose a moderate level of danger, and higher requirements are placed on the strength of the packaging. 3. Class III packaging: The goods pose a low level of danger, and the requirements regarding packaging strength are moderate. The standards also specify the basic requirements, performance tests, and inspection methods for these packages, as well as the types of packaging containers and their marking codes. “The Principles for Classifying Packaging for the Transport of Dangerous Goods” (GB 15098–1994) stipulate the basic principles for classifying packaging used for transporting various types of dangerous goods. (5) Hazards of contact and mixing during storage and transportation: The hazards of certain chemicals increase when they come into contact with or are mixed with other substances. Some chemicals become flammable when exposed to or mixed with others, while others can explode when exposed to or mixed with others. There are also some chemicals for which different fire extinguishing methods are used in the event of an accident. The appendices of standards such as the \"General Rules for the Storage of Commonly Used Chemical Hazards\" (GB 15603--1995), the \"Technical Requirements for the Storage and Maintenance of Flammable and Explosive Goods\" (GB 17914---1999), the \"Technical Requirements for the Storage and Maintenance of Corrosive Goods\" (GB 17915--1999), and the \"Technical Requirements for the Storage and Maintenance of Toxic Goods\" (GB 17916--1999) all contain tables showing the compatibility of hazardous chemicals when stored together. It is essential to understand the incompatibilities and conflicts between hazardous chemicals in order to avoid storing or transporting incompatible materials together. To ensure safe storage and transportation. VIII. Safety requirements for the handling of hazardous chemicals. Chapter 3 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals contains specific provisions regarding the handling of such chemicals. Article 27 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals stipulates: **A licensing system shall be implemented for the operation and sale of hazardous chemicals. Without permission, no entity or individual shall engage in the business of selling hazardous chemicals. Article 29 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals specifies the procedures for obtaining a business license: First, an application must be submitted. Those who wish to operate highly toxic chemicals and other hazardous chemicals shall submit applications respectively to the economic and trade management departments of the people’s governments at the provincial, autonomous region, or municipal level, or to the departments responsible for the comprehensive supervision and management of hazardous chemical safety at the city level with districts, along with the relevant supporting documents specifying the conditions that hazardous chemical business enterprises must meet, as outlined in Article 28 of the same regulations. Second is the review: After receiving the application, the economic and trade management departments of the people’s governments at the provincial, autonomous region, or municipal level, or the departments responsible for overall supervision and management of hazardous chemicals at the city level with districts, shall examine the supporting documents submitted by the applicant as well as the business premises in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals. Third is license issuance: Upon review, if the requirements are met, a license for the operation of hazardous chemicals is issued, and the matter of issuing such a license is reported to the public security department and the environmental protection department at the same level ； For those who do not meet the requirements, the applicant shall be notified in writing with an explanation of the reasons. Fourth is registration: The applicant shall go through the registration procedures with the administrative department for industry and commerce, using the hazardous chemicals business license. To strengthen the management of licenses for the handling of hazardous chemicals, the **Economic and Trade Commission issued the \"Administrative Measures for Licenses for the Handling of Hazardous Chemicals\" in accordance with the \"Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals\", laying out detailed rules regarding the types of such licenses, the procedures for application and approval, as well as supervision and management. Currently, the functions related to the licensing for the handling of hazardous chemicals are carried out by the **General Administration of Production Safety Supervision. (1) Conditions and requirements for enterprises dealing in hazardous chemicals. Article 28 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals stipulates that enterprises dealing in hazardous chemicals must meet the following conditions: (1) The business premises and storage facilities must comply with **standards ； (2) Supervisors and staff have received professional training and obtained the necessary qualifications to take up their positions ； (3) It has a sound safety management system ； (4) Other conditions that comply with legal and regulatory provisions as well as **standard requirements. 1. The **standards** for business premises and storage facilities are stipulated in the \"Requirements and Technical Specifications for the Establishment of Hazardous Chemicals Business Enterprises\" (GB/18265–2000): (1) The business premises of hazardous chemicals business enterprises should be located in areas with convenient transportation and easy access for evacuation. (2) The buildings of the business premises of hazardous chemicals trading enterprises shall meet the requirements of GB J16—2000. (3) Enterprises engaged in the wholesale of hazardous chemicals shall have a dedicated warehouse for such chemicals (owned or rented) that has been approved by the public security and fire departments at or above the county level; the hazardous chemicals they handle must not be stored in their business premises. (4) Retail outlets should be located at a distance of more than 500 m from busy commercial areas or densely populated residential areas. (5) The floor area of the retail store (excluding warehouses) shall be no less than 60 m2, and no living facilities shall be installed within the store. (6) In retail stores, only small-packaged hazardous chemicals for civilian use are allowed to be stored, and the total mass of such chemicals stored shall not exceed 1 t. (7) Hazardous chemicals in retail stores should be arranged in a proper manner, and prohibited materials must not be stored together. Hazardous chemicals sold in comprehensive shopping malls (including building material markets) should be stored in dedicated cabinets. (8) The retail outlets and the warehouses (or sheds) for storing hazardous chemicals should be separated by solid walls ； The storage quantity for a single variety cannot exceed 500 kg, and the total mass cannot exceed 2 t. (9) The storage areas in retail stores should employ different storage methods such as isolated storage, separate storage, or distinct storage, depending on the properties and hazards of the hazardous chemicals. 2. Supervisors and operational staff must receive professional training before they can be qualified to take up their positions. The \"Requirements for the Establishment of Hazardous Chemicals Business Enterprises and Technical Specifications\" (GB/18265–2000) stipulate that the legal representative or manager of a hazardous chemicals business enterprise must undergo professional training provided by authorized agencies and obtain a corresponding certificate before they can engage in business activities. Enterprise business operators must undergo professional training provided by the authorized department and obtain a qualified certificate before they can take up their positions. 3. A sound safety management system is in place; generally, there is a management system for the purchase and sale of hazardous chemicals ； Management System for the Purchase and Sale of Highly Toxic Substances ； Responsibility Management System for Handover in the Procedures Related to the Operation of Hazardous Chemicals ； Management System for the Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals ； Post responsibility system for management staff ； Systems for the storage and management of goods, etc. 4. Other conditions that comply with legal and regulatory provisions as well as **standard requirements. The \"Requirements for the Opening of Hazardous Chemicals Business Enterprises and Technical Requirements\" (GB/18265—2000) specify the scope of retail operations; such operations are permitted only for hazardous chemicals other than explosives, radioactive materials, and highly toxic substances. (1) Warning signs such as “No open flames” should be placed in prominent locations within retail stores. (2) Valid fire and first-aid safety facilities shall be installed in the retail premises. (3) The inventory storage areas for retail stores must be approved by the public security and fire departments. (4) Vehicles used for transporting hazardous chemicals should be dedicated to this purpose; in accordance with the Regulations, such transportation can only be entrusted to transport companies that have the appropriate qualifications for handling hazardous chemicals, and these vehicles must be equipped with visible markings. Article 30 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals stipulates that when dealing in hazardous chemicals, the following actions are prohibited: purchasing hazardous chemicals from enterprises that have not obtained a license for the production of hazardous chemicals or a license for the handling of hazardous chemicals ； Operating **dangerous chemicals that are explicitly prohibited, rodenticides produced using highly toxic chemicals, as well as other chemical products and household chemicals that may come into contact with people’s daily lives ； Selling hazardous chemicals without Safety Data Sheets and safety labels for those chemicals. Article 31 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals stipulates that hazardous chemical manufacturers shall not sell hazardous chemicals to entities or individuals that do not hold a license for the operation of hazardous chemicals. Article 32 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals stipulates that hazardous chemical businesses storing such chemicals shall comply with the relevant provisions in Chapter 2. Hazardous chemicals stores may only hold small, consumer-grade packages of such chemicals, with the total amount not exceeding the **specified limit. (II) Operation of highly toxic substances: Enterprises that handle highly toxic chemicals must apply for a business license, and there must be dedicated personnel in charge of such operations. The \"Requirements and Technical Specifications for the Opening of Enterprises Handling Hazardous Chemicals\" (GB/18265—2000) stipulate that personnel working in enterprises that handle highly toxic substances must not only receive professional training from authorized departments and obtain a qualified certificate before taking up their duties, but they must also undergo specialized training provided by public security departments at or above the county level (including county-level departments) and obtain a qualified certificate before they can start working. 1) Provisions on the sale of highly toxic chemicals: Article 33 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals stipulates that when enterprises dealing in highly toxic chemicals sell such chemicals, they must record the name and address of the purchasing entity, as well as the name and ID number of the person making the purchase, along with the name, quantity, and intended use of the highly toxic chemicals being purchased. The records shall be kept for at least 1 year. Businesses that handle highly toxic chemicals should check the sales of such chemicals on a daily basis ； In the event of theft, loss, or mis sale, it is necessary to report it immediately to the local police authorities. 2) Provisions to be observed when purchasing highly toxic chemicals. Article 34 of the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals stipulates that when purchasing highly toxic chemicals, the following provisions must be complied with: (1) Entities such as those engaged in production, scientific research, or medical activities that use highly toxic chemicals on a regular basis shall apply to the public security departments at the municipal level to obtain a purchase permit, and purchase the chemicals using said permit ； (2) If a unit temporarily needs to purchase highly toxic chemicals, it shall submit an application to the public security department of the city at the district level for a purchase permit, using a certificate issued by the unit itself that specifies the name of the chemical, the quantity required, and its intended use; the purchase shall then be made with this purchase permit ； (3) Individuals shall not purchase highly toxic chemicals other than pesticides, rodenticides, and insecticides. Manufacturers and distributors of highly toxic chemicals shall not sell such chemicals to individuals or entities that do not possess purchase certificates or permits. It is prohibited to forge, alter, buy, sell, lend, or otherwise transfer purchase certificates or permits for highly toxic chemicals, nor is it permitted to use invalid purchase certificates or permits for such chemicals. The formats for certificates of purchase and permits for highly toxic chemicals, as well as the specific procedures for applying for them, are established by the public security department of the State Council.