Moving chemicals

When relocating Departments from one plac to another, it's important to consider that these areas may contain hazardous materials.
This could include chemicals, gas cylinders, liquid nitrogen, paint, lithium batteries, and workshop items.

Many moving companies might lack the expertise and therefore may not be permitted to transport hazardous materials.

It's essential to handle, package, and transport hazardous materials in a specialized manner that takes into account their dangerous properties.

Employees responsible for transporting hazardous goods must receive mandatory training, which includes those involved in packaging, labeling, and transporting the goods

How is it done in practice, including required training?

AU has appointed a relocation coordinator to oversee and facilitate the relocation process and to communicate with the respective Deparment/Location.

A move requires good planning:

  • The relocation coordinator conducts a screening if the Department/Location contains hazardous chemicals and materials.
  • If there is hazardous chemicals and materials, staff are appointed to pack.
  • Staff are trained in packaging, packing, labeling and transport of dangerous goods (1.3 training).
    AU's Safety Advisor is in charge of the training and it is scheduled for 2 hours for packers and 2 hours for drivers.
  • The staff sorts the chemicals according to the AU sorting key for moving chemicals.
  • Chemicals that are not hazardous. not classified, are packed and moved as ordinary moving goods.
  • Chemicals that are hazardous, but not dangerous goods, are packed and moved as ordinary moving goods.
  • Chemicals that are dangerous goods are sorted according to the exception LQ, packed and moved by drivers with 1.3 training.
    AU's Security Adviser estimates that 90% of the dangerous goods can be packed according to this exception called Limited Quantity (LQ), which means that there are some relaxations in relation to the set of rules.
  • The rest of the dangerous goods are packed and labelled in collaboration with AU's safety advisor, who prepares a shippers declaration that must accompany the shipment, after which it is ready to be moved by a driver with 1.3 training.

Extensive time is required for effective planning and preparation to successfully carry out a move:

The staff must have the necessary time to investigate the hazards of the chemicals and materials. Have time to pack and label the dangerous goods. Staff must have 1.3 training A Quick Guide has been prepared to help with sorting and packing chemicals from the laboratory.

Packaging, packing material (vermiculite) and hazard labels must be obtained well in advance of packing.

Packaging can be recycled, so this must be considered in the logistics of moving.

In addition, it may be that the dangerous goods (chemicals) are refrigerated or frozen, perhaps during the actual transport, but otherwise that the refrigeration and freezing facilities at the new location are ready.