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Unit Aims, Objectives and Prerequisites
P.3.1 Handling Dangerous Goods in Ports

1. Unit Aims

This Unit is designed:

1. To survey the range of dangerous cargoes handled in ports and the hazards and risks presented by those cargoes.
2. To describe the IMDG classification and means of identifying the main classes and subdivisions of dangerous goods.
3. To explain the main categories of product containment, packaging groups and packaging codes relating to dangerous goods.
4. To describe the marking, labelling and documentation of dangerous goods.
5. To explain the principles of stowage, storage and segregation of dangerous goods.
6. To describe the safe handling of dangerous goods and the emergency actions to be taken in response to accidents.

2. Unit Objectives

After completing this Unit, the learner will be able to:

1. List the major types of dangerous cargoes encountered in ports and the risks associated with them, and state why portworkers must know how to recognize them and handle them safely.
2. Explain how dangerous goods are divided into nine IMDG classes, and name and describe the hazards presented by the classes and their subdivisions.
3. Recognize the IMDG class labels and marine pollutant mark, in their various forms, and identify correctly the hazards they indicate.
4. Describe the five broad categories of product containment covered by the IMDG Code and outline how dangerous goods are assigned to each type.
5. Name and explain the basis for the three packaging groups, and interpret correctly the meaning of a given UN packaging code.
6. Explain the requirements for identifying dangerous goods packages and containment units by proper shipping name, UN number, class mark, class label and class placard.
7. Name the shipping documents relating to dangerous goods, and list and describe the essential and additional information required to be presented in those documents.
8. Describe how the advance dangerous cargo information is entered into the port’s information system, and explain why it is important to check the advance information by inspecting the cargoes as they arrive at the port.
9. Describe the stowage, segregation and storage requirements for dangerous goods, and explain how advance information about consignments can be used, with the IMDG Code, to establish those requirements.
10. State the purpose of the Emergency Schedules (EmS) and Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG) in the IMDG Code Supplement, and explain how they are used.
11. Outline the procedures to be followed in preventing, planning, preparing for and dealing with accidents and other emergencies involving dangerous cargoes. 
12. Define, recognize the best definition of, or distinguish between true and false statements concerning, the technical terms used in the Unit, as listed in Sections 3 and 4 below.

3. Unit Prerequisites

It is assumed that trainees will, before starting this Unit, have completed successfully the following Units (or the equivalent Unit for general cargo or bulk terminals) or will have demonstrated (for example by successfully completing the Tests for the Units) their understanding of the topics covered by them:

• Container terminal operations (C.1.1)
• Safe working on container terminals (C.4.1)