Carriage, Handling and Storage of Dangerous Goods along

32 RECOMMENDATIONS
• Improved operational business efficiency and cost savings;
• Reduction in accidents and resulting environmental damages;
• Improved system of safety, health and environmental governance to control private
terminal operators;
• Improved handling of dangerous cargoes and waste materials; and
• Reduction of safety, health and environmental risk through improved access control in
port;• Port Safety Health and Environmental Management System (PSHEMS) Code; and
• ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in ports, 2005.
ACTIONS
Technical and Management
Ports and terminals should develop HSE management systems. The main goals of this HSE management
system are to:
• provide the framework and tools to manage evolving HSE issues quickly and easily;
• prevent injuries of employees, contractors or visitors;
• prevent damage to equipment; and
• prevent harm to the environment.
Institutional and Capacity Building
Member Countries and port authorities should ensure that port and terminal operators develop a
HSE management system.
Training courses for implementing and auditing a PHEMS to be provided.
2.3.4.2 Segregation and Storage of Dangerous Goods
RECOMMENDATION
Member Countries should determine minimum standards for the storage and segregation of
dangerous goods.
Challenge
At some ports, dangerous goods are not properly segregated or there are no designated areas for
storing dangerous goods. Failure to segregate dangerous goods properly can result in a violent chemical
reaction with other dangerous goods which can lead to fire, explosion or release of toxic vapours and
injury to personnel. The National Working Groups determined that there is a general need for training
regarding the storage and handling of dangerous goods. Insufficient training can lead to misjudgment
of hazards relating to dangerous goods, increasing the risk of accidents/personal injury.
Storage and segregation of dangerous goods is critical. Major incidents have already occurred because
non-compatible dangerous goods were stored next to or on top of each other and, in turn, reacted
violently. Generally, different classes of dangerous goods should be stored separately, at least 3 m
apart, and in some situations stored in different rooms. Bunding must be provided and storage areas
must be clean, tidy and free of flammable materials, well ventilated and have appropriate emergency
spill kits and firefighting equipment.