Whether you have an online store, are a manufacturer, a logistics provider, or deal with shipments for some other reason, it’s crucial to get goods out the door and to their destination as quickly as possible.
However, don’t forget how important it is, too, for items to arrive safe and sound and not cause issues along the way. If you ever deal with hazardous packages, you must be sure to do so with care. Read on for some of the most common mistakes businesses make when shipping dangerous items.
Not Knowing What’s Considered Hazardous in the First Place
It’s a seemingly-simple mistake, but one that many entrepreneurs and workers make over the year. People think they know what constitutes a hazardous good and that anything else is nothing to worry about. This perception can get them into trouble. An expert Maritime Lawyer explains that pollution and toxic torts are one of the most commonly filed cases against shipping companies and their associates.
The reality is that many items fall into the dangerous category that may not seem obvious. For instance, there’s nail polish, batteries, perfume, and paint. Different countries have different regulations, too, so it’s vital to check all the fine print when shipping somewhere new.
Note that dangerous goods can come in all sorts of forms, such as gases, liquids, and solids. They can be odorless or incredibly pungent, or hot or cold, and everything in between. Hazardous materials have one or more inherent properties that, if not controlled carefully, can present a hazard to the environment, humans, animals, plants, etc.
Dangerous goods can also be explosive, flammable, and poisonous, amongst other things, and cause death or a raft of other adverse outcomes. Don’t assume that just because something seems fine to you, that it’s going to be safe for anything and everyone.
Ineffective Labelling and Packaging
Another big mistake that crops up a lot is business people not making the right choices regarding the labelling and packaging of hazardous goods. To ensure potentially unstable and combustible goods don’t become more dangerous in transit in any way, you must package items in the right way.
Use appropriate containers for whatever it is you’re transporting. The packages need enough cushioning and secure closures that nothing can pop out. You may also need to use absorbent materials to contain leaks if they occur or temperature-controlling facets to stop dangerous packages from getting too hot or cold. For example, invest in a quality impact recorder that will tell staff, transporters, customers officials, and other people during an item’s journey if it has become more hazardous.
Inadequate Staff Training
Staff training is crucial. To make sure dangerous materials get to their new locations safely, everyone who deals with a package at any point along its journey needs to know what to do and when. This starts with labelling. Hazardous goods must have their nature printed on labels, so everyone knows to handle with care, and how. Train employees who create, print, and track labels how to do so completely and consistently. They also need to know how to properly package different types of parcels and potentially how to plan for different types of shipping environments or transport modes.
Everyone should know their responsibilities, the order they have to do their tasks in, and how these jobs relate to what others have to do. Help staff members understand the consequences if your business doesn’t handle dangerous goods properly, including both physical risks and financial and organizational ones.
Lack of Processes
Processes can make all the difference when it comes to handling dangerous items successfully. You’ll help your team and your business in turn if you set up strict processes for people to follow at every touchpoint. Checks and balances reduce the risk of something going wrong since people aren’t just relying on memory or judgment, which can be more fallible.
Put guidelines and checklists in place, and workers will have a way of confirming things are correct. They’ll be less likely to miss problems in labelling, packaging, transport orders, and the like. A sheet might include boxes to tick regarding old label removal, choosing the right classification for a shipment, and packaging items in the appropriate materials for transport.
You could have staff members check each other’s work and request that every parcel be photographed before leaving the warehouse. This keeps employees on their toes and gives you a form of documentation if you ever need to prove your company’s compliance measures.
Shipping dangerous goods is a serious matter and needs treating as such. However, provided you follow the tips above and do all the due diligence you should, you’ll avoid having to face too many problems with this aspect of your business.
