TT Club’s Quick Reference Guide For Oxidising Substances And Organic Peroxides
We have been covering some of the TT Club’s new quick-reference guides on the safe handling of dangerous goods, as a continuation of that series we are now highlighting their key practices to follow – and avoid – when dealing with Oxidising Substances And Organic Peroxides – or Class 5 dangerous goods.
Recognised globally, TT Club is a leading insurer and risk management specialist serving the international transport and logistics sector.
Class 5 dangerous goods include oxidising substances and organic peroxides that can intensify combustion or react dangerously. They pose risks such as property damage, cargo damage, injury, environmental harm, insurance invalidation, and potential criminal prosecution.
Oxidising Substances And Organic Peroxides are divided into two divisions:
- 5.1 Oxidising Substances: Not combustible but emit oxygen, increasing fire risk. Examples: Hydrogen peroxide, potassium chlorate, ammonium nitrate fertilisers, pool cleaning chemicals.
- 5.2 Organic Peroxides: Thermally unstable, generate heat, and can polymerise. Examples: Dibenzoyl peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Some Class 5.2 products have a Self-Accelerating Decomposition Temperature (SADT) and may require temperature-controlled transport (e.g., insulated or refrigerated vehicles).
TT Club Do’s and Dont’s
Packing
Do…
- Use only approved packaging for Class 5 cargoes
Don’t…
- Use damaged packaging or containers
- Repackage Class 5 cargoes without specialist advice
Storing
Do…
- Store in well-ventilated and, where required, temperature-controlled storage facilities
- Store with labels forward, heavy cargo at bottom, and correct orientation (arrows up)
- Inspect stored cargoes regularly to ensure condition remains stable and safe
- Alert the dangerous goods competent person immediately if any problems
- Ensure all employees are trained in emergency response procedures
Don’t…
- Store near to stairways and emergency exits
- Store near to sources of heat, such as a radiator
- Store near to sources of ignition, such as electrical equipment
- Store near other cargoes that may react with it, especially Class 1 explosives, Class 3 flammable liquids and Class 8 corrosives
- Store old or uncollected cargoes, which can become more unstable over time
Transporting
Do…
- Ensure all relevant transport risk assessments are up to date
- Ensure all staff involved in transport have the relevant dangerous goods awareness training
- Contact the DG competent person if you have any questions or queries about transport
- Pack cargoes securely to avoid movement during transport
- Familiarise yourself with and adhere to the relevant chapters of the CTU Code
Don’t…
- Allow any ignition sources near cargoes during transport
- Mix Class 5 cargoes with any other transported cargoes that may react with them
- Transport large quantities of Class 5.1 cargoes if classed as ‘high consequence’ without a security plan in place
- Assume segregation requirements for all transport modes are the same
Always
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Communicate clearly with the entire supply chain
- Maintain a documented emergency response plan that is regularly tested and, ideally, developed in collaboration with the cargo manufacturer.
Never
- Expose Class 5 cargoes to temperature deviations
- Throw, drop, roll, slide or drag Class 5 cargoes at any point in the supply chain
- Ignore abandoned cargo – it must be safely removed and disposed of.
Evolution Forwarding provide customers with compliant solutions for dangerous goods, specialising in end-to-end solutions for the safe and transport of these product types by air, sea, and road.
From packaging and documentation to regulatory compliance and staff training, our expertise helps shippers navigate these challenges with confidence. Contact us at info@evolutionforwarding.com or call 0800 4346244 to learn more.
