Packing Services for Hazardous Materials

When someone moves, s/he has the right to pack and take along all the belongings except certain non-secure items or the items that are prohibited from packing due to their high risk elements. However, there are many businesses that have to deal with certain hazardous materials. They have to be, anyway, transported for business purposes. There are specialized packing services for packaging of hazardous materials. Before knowing how these materials are packed, it looks apt to know about hazardous materials?

What Are Hazardous Materials?

The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management define hazardous material as "any item or agent (biological, chemical, physical) which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors." This covers many materials used in many workplaces for example cleaning supplies, paints etc. The businesses have to purchase, sell or transport hazardous materials on a frequent basis. As this activity cannot be totally eliminated, there are certain guidelines and legal requirements that have to be followed while packing such hazardous materials. Proper labeling and packaging of hazardous materials guard against accidents and prevent costly lawsuits which a company may face if it remains careless in such a sensitive issue.

International Guidelines for Packing Hazardous Materials

International agencies including FAO, UNIDO, OECD, the World Heath Organization, the United Nations Environmental Program and the International Labour Organization, place regulations on how certain chemical and other high risk agents must be labeled. This helps any packing company in determining if a material is hazardous. Generally, if a material has a hazard warning (inhalation, contact, etc.), it has to be treated as a hazardous material. The packages containing hazardous goods must have symbols on them to represent their classification like “Class 3 - Flammable Liquids”, “Class 4 - Flammable Solids”, “Class 8 – Corrosives” etc. Special Boxes are used for packing them such as UN approved IATA (International Air Transport Association) certified 4GV boxes.

Packing Services for Hazardous Materials

There are many professional packing companies who provide packing services for hazardous materials in adherence to Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) of respective nations and international guidelines regarding transportation of these high risk goods by road, sea and air.

Apart from using specialized boxes and labeling them properly representing the class of hazardous material, many companies also supply fireproof and highly absorbent Vermiculite loosefill and strong filament tape for securing cartons. Vermiculite is a natural, inorganic mineral that contains microscopic particles of water which when subjected to high temperatures, expand to many times their original volume. These lightweight minerals offer high insulation. They pour easily around irregular shaped objects and act as a cushion against impact, shock and rough handling. They are fireproof and safely retain leaks from packed materials. Vermiculite is UN approved for use in transporting hazardous liquids and materials.