The objective of the IMDG Code is to enhance the safe carriage of dangerous goods while facilitating the free unrestricted movement of such goods.

Carriage of dangerous goods by sea is regulated in order reasonably to prevent injury to persons or damage to ships and their cargoes. Carriage of marine pollutants is primarily regulated to prevent harm to the marine environment.

How this objective of IMDG Can be achieved?

The successful application of regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods and the achievement of their objectives are greatly dependent on the appreciation by all persons concerned of the risks involved and on a detailed understanding of the regulations. This can only be achieved by properly planned and maintained initial and retraining programmes for all persons concerned with the transport of dangerous goods.

IMDG Code Chapter 1.3 section 1.3.0

There are three steps for compliance to IMDG Code. Training, Application and Retraining!

1. Training

1^st Step for compliance to IMDG Code is “training”. Every shoreside personnel who is involved in transport of dangerous goods by sea must be trained adequate to her/his nature of duties.

Organisation must decide which staff need to be trained and what levels of training is required. Training must be provided or verified upon employment in any position involving transport of dangerous goods

New employee(s) must receive training before performing any duty related to dangerous goods transport.  If an employee has not received training, then she/he must only perform any duty under the direct supervision of a trained person. IMDG Code gives an indicative list of nature of duties in dangerous goods transport for which individuals must receive training.

Functions:

• classify dangerous goods and identify proper shipping names of dangerous goods;
• pack dangerous goods;
• mark, label or placard dangerous goods;
• load/unload Cargo Transport Units;
• prepare transport documents for dangerous goods;
• offer dangerous goods for transport;
• accept dangerous goods for transport;
• handle dangerous goods in transport;
• prepare dangerous goods loading/stowage plans;
• load/unload dangerous goods into/from ships;
• carry dangerous goods in transport;
• enforce or survey or inspect for compliance with applicable rules and regulations; or
• are otherwise involved in the transport of dangerous goods as determined by the competent authority

Every person must be trained in

• General awareness/familiarization training– This training must include a description of the classes of dangerous goods; labelling, marking, placarding, packing, stowage, segregation and compatibility provisions; a description of the purpose and content of the dangerous goods transport documents (such as the Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form and the Container/Vehicle Packing Certificate); and a description of available emergency response documents.

• Function-specific training– Each person must be trained in specific dangerous goods transport provisions which are applicable to the function that person performs

• Security training– Security awareness training should address the nature of security risks, recognizing security risks, methods to address and reduce risks and actions to be taken in the event of a security breach.

• Safety training– Each person should be trained in safety procedures for risk of exposure in the event of a release and the functions performed.

Below matrix shows an indicative list of functions and related training topics in IMDG Code and other Maritime & related Rules and Regulations.

How training should be delivered?

Training can be delivered as

1. Classroom training
2. Hands on training
3. eLearning

There are differences in classroom training & eLearning. In classroom training participants can interact with the trainer wherein in eLearning there will be no interaction and is limited to the content. Pros and cons are there too like cultural, personality, ego etc may prop up in classroom and hands on training but eLearning has an advantage over it.

For eLearning options click here

Who must be a trainer?

A trainer must be a person who has practical experience in handling dangerous goods by sea and able to connect multimodal international & national transport regulations for Road, Rail, River & Sea and able to solve day to day practical issues raised by the students.

2. Application

2^nd Step for compliance to IMDG Code is application of the Code in every aspect related to dangerous goods transport by sea. For this shoreside personnel must have access to IMDG Code. Access can be printed books or digital version.

To purchase printed book from authorised distributors of IMO click on respective geographical region

• Africa
• Europe
• Far East and Australasia
• Middle East
• The Americas

For digital access click here

3. Retraining

3^rd Step for compliance to IMDG Code is retraining or refresher training. This training must take account of changes in regulations and industry practice. Those who have already received training in previous edition of IMDG Code and not received full training or refresher training in 39^th amendment of the Code may opt for classroom or eLearning.

For eLearning of refresher training click here

Do you have a question on IMDG Code?