Logistics in the energy industry: transportation of hazardous materials and their specifics

by Contributing Author

The transportation of hazardous materials involves a great deal of responsibility resting on the shoulders of the carrier. Failure to comply with applicable standards or even an error on the driver’s part can lead to financial losses and, above all, to a direct threat to human life, health, property, and the environment.

Hazardous materials in the energy industry

Hazardous materials can be divided into nine categories and subcategories. Below is their general classification.

• Class 1: Explosives and explosive objects – e.g., ammunition, fireworks, or other substances that pose a risk of explosion,
• Class 2: Gases – such as acetylene or propane-butane,
• Class 3: Flammable liquids – e.g., liquid fuels and their components,
• Class 4.1: Flammable solids, self-reactive materials, and desensitized solid explosives – e.g., powdered silicon,
• Class 4.2: Self-flammable materials – e.g., phosphorus,
• Class 4.3: Materials that produce flammable gases in contact with water – e.g., carbide,
• Class 5.1: Oxidizing materials – e.g., hydrogen peroxide,
• Class 5.2: Organic peroxides – e.g., perchloric acid,
• Class 6.1: Poisonous materials – e.g., arsenic,
• Class 6.2: Infectious materials – e.g., medical waste,
• Class 7: Radioactive materials – e.g., fissile materials,
• Class 8: Corrosive materials – e.g., sodium hydroxide,
• Class 9: Miscellaneous hazardous materials and objects – e.g., asbestos.

In the context of the energy industry, goods belong to groups 2, 3, 7, and 8. Concerning the latter, we are referring, among other things, to items from the dismantling and scrapping of transformers, capacitors, and oil-containing cables, as well as all components of electrical substations and switchgear.

Where do the transportation problems for the energy industry come from?

The dangers posed by the transportation of hazardous materials mean that all issues related to this process are regulated by law.

One of the requirements of these documents is the proper marking of transport carrying hazardous cargo. Unique stickers are used for this, which indicate the type of hazard at a glance. The vehicle used for this purpose must also be marked with orange plates. These should be placed on the front and rear of the vehicle combination, perpendicular to its axis.

The above markings are intended to inform other participants that the vehicle is transporting dangerous goods. This, in turn, is intended to induce them to exercise appropriate safety when maneuvering near it – to prevent a tragic accident.

The documents also specify the requirements for the means of transportation used to transport hazardous materials – regardless of whether we are talking about transport by road or, for example, by sea. There are also specified obligations of the carrier, such as the need to train drivers and adequately collect evidence of this fact.

You also need to meet specific requirements when planning a route for cargo marked as dangerous. This is because some roads are closed to road transport with such a designation – for example, due to uneven pavement, heavy traffic, or proximity to large concentrations of people.

What to pay attention to when transporting hazardous materials for the energy industry?

Considering the high stakes, undertaking the transportation of hazardous materials without the proper qualifications is a very unwise idea, the consequences of which can be disastrous. One need only think of the recent high-profile case involving a fire in electric cars – and, more importantly, the lithium-ion batteries inside them – off the coast of the Netherlands. Although the situation was stabilized relatively quickly, and the ship was towed to a place that posed no threat to shipping traffic, there was still a danger of an environmental disaster. It should also not be forgotten that the accident contributed to the death of one of the crew members, and the health and lives of the rest of them and those carrying out the rescue operation were at risk.

When the health and lives of people and the potential for destruction of the environment are at stake, it is not worth taking unnecessary risks and overconfident in one’s abilities if there is any doubt. There is no room for them here.

In such a case, it is more advantageous to enlist the help of someone with more experience in transporting hazardous materials. It’s worth looking for a professional company that offers dangerous cargo transportation, such as AsstrA. Significantly, by opting for such a solution, the investor lifts from his shoulders the responsibility for the legal aspects of adapting the transportation method to the cargo being transported. The carrier is responsible for securing, charming, and unloading it.

This is all the more important because the legal acts on transporting hazardous materials constantly change. Unless an investor keeps his hand on the pulse, he can easily miss something important, which can bring serious consequences.