Cargo ships are enduring rough seas in the Pacific Ocean in the first part of 2021, maritime insurance executives said roughly 3,000 containers have been lost at sea over the past two months alone. Most recent container ship lost an estimated 750 boxes sailing through heavy seas from China to Los Angeles, the latest in a spate of incidents in which boxes carrying millions of dollars’ worth of goods have gone overboard.

To ensure compliance with the TDG Regulations, stakeholders must address any existing gaps with TDG Regulations before January 31, 2021. This may include: ensuring that all employees are trained as per the TDG Regulations and hold a valid training certificate ensuring that all MOCs used to transport dangerous goods have been tested and inspected in accordance with relevant standards and display current and valid inspection and test markings

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) provided a status update on the forthcoming IMDG Code Amendment 40-20 (i.e., the 2020 Edition) this week.IMO announced that mandatory compliance with the forthcoming IMDG Codeamendment will start on June 1, 2022. IMO plans to release Amendment 40–20 in early 2021. The new Code may be applied voluntarily after January 1, 2021. Under normal conditions, Amendment 40-20 would have been published in Fall 2020. Compliance with a new IMDG Code amendment is voluntary in the first year following publication (i.e., 2021) and mandatory in the second year following publication (i.e., after January 1, 2022). 

As of January 1st, 2021, the new international safety mark for “LTD QTY” shipments by ground transport in Canada must display this label.   It is important to make sure you and your employees understand when a limited quantity label is required and why.  This will avoid refused shipments and protect your business from infractions.

This communication is intended to remind stakeholders that the following temporary certificates will not be renewed beyond January 31, 2021: TU 0750.1: TrainingNote: This temporary certificate allows individuals who had been trained and held valid training certificates on March 1, 2020, to continue handling, offering for transport, or transporting dangerous goods with expired training certificates.

CAO has released their newest version of the Technical Instructions.  As Air Training expires every 2 years it is important for companies to update their training as a number of changes have been made by the Air Industry relating to dangerous goods and their transportation.

It is of upmost importance that your business is storing and managing dangerous goods in a way that minimises the risks that they pose upon the people, property and environment of your organisation. A consultation can assist in providing controls, classifying your products, detailing training requirements and bring your organization up to compliance. Is there a specific area within your business that needs attention? GEMC offers custom solutions to suit every business and unique need.

A dangerous goods compliance audit provides a review of key compliance areas such as: Vendor SDS information as it relates to your dangerous goods inventory and shipping Internal measures to ensure proper shipping procedures are in place Dangerous goods quantity limitations, eg, LTD QTY shipments Packaging procedures Carrier restrictions

Although now more than 50 years old, the Li-Ion battery is still constantly improving: scientists are continuously pushing the limits and boundaries of current Li-Ion technology by experimenting with new ways to combine electrolytes, anodes, and cathodes to create a battery that is more energy-efficient, more cost-efficient, and much safer than its current form. From using relatively cheaper (yet safer) materials like Silicon and Vanadium oxides to creating ‘nanostructures’ within the cells to create more surface area, scientists are thinking of new ways to improve the current Li-Ion batteries energy capacity and safety measures.

Approximately 50% of lithium batteries can be recycled and most household batteries qualify for local recycling programs in North America. Many local hardware and electronic retailers offer free recycling programs like Call2Recycle, who offer bins at local outlets to make the recycling process easy.

If an SDS is not available and the manufacturer or distributor are no longer in business, you will need to determine whether the product is a dangerous good by the same means as the original manufacturer.

Separately in the U.S. on Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report warning of serious adverse events, including death, associated with ingesting alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing methanol. From May 1 through June 30, 15 cases of methanol poisoning were reported in Arizona and New Mexico, associated with swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Four patients died, and three were discharged with visual impairment. Health Canada says frequent use of hand sanitizer containing methanol may cause dermatitis, eye irritation, upper respiratory system irritation and headaches.