International Maritime Dangerous Goods Training : Understanding the Purpose of the IMDG code

Learn how to apply appropriate safety precautions and understand the legal requirements and operational restrictions involved in shipping dangerous goods by vessel transport. Gain a detailed understanding of International Maritime Dangerous Good (IMDG) Code regulations and practical knowledge of Code requirements, in relation to classification, packaging, vehicle packing and vessel stowage.

Amendment 39-18 of the Code is mandatory as from 1 January 2020 but may be applied by Administrations in whole or in part on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2019.

The IMDG training rules are recommended for shore-based personnel. However, vessel carriers often require compliance with them as a condition of accepting your shipments. These rules apply in addition to the US DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations, which require Hazmat employees to be trained on all applicable modal rules.

This PetroKnowledge Maritime dangerous goods training course helps promote the safety of workers, the public and the environment, since using improper procedures when shipping these materials can result in serious harm. Failure to comply with the IMDG Code can result in civil penalties, rejected shipments, incidents in transit, and carrier blacklisting, so it’s important for employees to get the training and certification they need. 

This PetroKnowledge training course will highlight: 

• Introduction to the IMDG Code
• Overview of the IMDG Code general provisions
• Overview of dangerous goods classification and identification provisions
• Overview of packing requirements
• In-depth training on package marking and labelling requirements
• In-depth training on CTU marking and placarding requirements
• Overview of documentation requirements
• Overview of stowage requirements

This PetroKnowledge training course on Dangerous Goods aims to help participants to develop the following critical objectives:

• Use IMDG and complete the necessary dangerous goods transport documents
• Apply the regulations to identify, pack, mark, label and document dangerous goods

It is designed for personnel with no specific dangerous goods transport function(s) who need a general appreciation of the regulations. The programme is split into the following sections:

• Course scope and objectives
• Dangerous goods transport legislation
• Classification and identification
• Consignment and transport procedures
• The journey rules – operational considerations
• Emergency response issues

This PetroKnowledge Dangerous Goods training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, but will be particularly beneficial to:

• Cargo operations and port managers responsible for the safe transport of dangerous goods shipments
• Shippers, cargo agents, consolidators, freight forwarders and other agencies involved in the transport of dangerous goods
• Instructional designers and instructors responsible for dangerous goods training
• Freight Forwarding Agents
• Customs Clearing Agents
• Forwarding Clerks
• Sole Agents
• Free Agents
• Cargo Handlers
• Cargo Packers
• Customs officials

This PetroKnowledge training course is conducted in a classroom setting. Examples and video clips will be used to aid the learning and understanding of the subject matters. Participants will also take part in group classroom exercises to reinforce their learning experience. Each participant will receive a set of course materials. There will also be pre-course as well as post-course training assessment tests.

In addition to the professional development of staff, the organisation should be able to prioritise resources to demonstrate and implement mandatory requirements as per the Code.

Other Benefits include:

• Compliance - meets the mandatory training requirements in the IMDG Code for all those involved in the transport of dangerous goods by sea
• Cost-effective: typically, a fraction of expensive classroom time and less disruptive than absence from work
• Safety - produced by dangerous goods transport specialists
• Efficiency - delivers consistent training standards across global operations, especially relevant to corporate quality assurance programs
• Their understanding of hazardous chemical activities
• Recognition of the essential controls and safeguards to be applied for each specific hazardous chemical storage
• Observing the principles and the requirements for the safe control of work
• Identifying unsafe acts or conditions in construction work activities and being pro-active in their correction
• Understanding, promoting and actively participating in safety programs
• Safety awareness of personnel

Delegates will be able to gain or improve their knowledge and recognition of chemical hazards, essential safeguards and controls for hazardous material handling including: 

• Greater confidence and assurance when exposed to hazardous work activities
• Identification of unsafe acts and conditions and taking or communicating actions
• Greater awareness on how to keep themselves and work colleagues safe
• Added ability to promote and participate in safety initiatives
• Provide improved feedback to their organization on the safety conditions at a site or yard
• Be recognized by their employer for their enhanced safety knowledge and understanding for future site deployments