ITCO reminds members that both non-regulated and regulated DGs can be hazardous

The International Tank Container Organisation (ITCO) has reminded its members that personnel should not enter tanks without the due process of a valid tank entry permit following the death of two men during a cleaning operation in Australia.

It was reported that two men died during the cleaning of a tank that had last transported a sugar-cane by-product containing four percent urea.

ITCO stressed that both non-regulated and regulated dangerous goods can pose hazards.

Tank container cleaning is one of the most important and dangerous processes in the transportation chain. The organisation notes that the availability of a suitable cleaning station must be taken into account before a cargo is accepted for transportation and that not all cargoes will be able to be processed by an individual cleaning station.

Tanks should be dried immediately after cleaning. It is highly probable that the final rinse water will be chlorinated which will corrode stainless steel. Failure to clean correctly and immediately after discharge can result in the next cargo being contaminated with the former and or corrosion affecting the pressure vessel.

ITCO states that empty and uncleaned tanks must be treated as if they were loaded with the last product and a full MSDS sheet must be available for the cleaning station prior to cleaning.

When entry into a tank container is necessary, only trained personnel should be permitted. Additionally, tanks should only  be entered if they have a valid cleaning certificate. Lastly, before entry into a tank, atmosphere monitoring should be undertaken to ensure that the atmosphere will sustain life.

For more information, visit: www.international-tank-container.org

13th Mar 2018