TT Club’s Quick Reference Guide For Toxic & Infectious Substances
We recently covered the TT Club’s new quick-reference guide on the safe handling of flammable liquids, and as a continuation of that series we are now highlighting their key practices to follow – and avoid – when dealing with Toxic & Infectious Substances – or Class 6 dangerous goods.
Recognised globally, TT Club is a leading insurer and risk management specialist serving the international transport and logistics sector.
Class 6 dangerous goods include substances that are toxic or infectious, posing severe risks such as property damage, cargo damage, injury, environmental harm, insurance invalidation, and potential criminal prosecution.
- 6.1 Toxic substances: Cause serious or fatal injury if inhaled, swallowed, or in contact with skin. Examples: Cyanide, cadmium, arsenic, lead.
- 6.2 Infectious substances: Contain pathogens that can harm the host. Examples: Ebola, clinical waste, Lassa fever, HIV/AIDS.
TT Club Do’s and Dont’s
Packing
Do…
- Use only approved packaging or containers for Class 6 cargoes
- Pack cargoes securely to avoid movement during transport
Don’t…
- Use damaged packaging or containers
- Repackage Class 6 cargoes without specialist advice
Storing
Do…
- Use a secure storage facility
- Store with labels forward, heavy cargoes 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 cargoes with a subsidiary flammable hazard near to sources of ignition, such as electrical equipment
- Store near other cargoes that may react with it
- Store old or uncollected cargoes, which can become more unstable over time
Transporting
Do…
- 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 with a subsidiary flammable hazard during transport
- Mix Class 6 cargoes with any other transported cargoes that may react with them
- Transport in public or built-up areas without permission from authorities
Always
- Ensure the manufacturer’s instructions are followed
- 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 6 cargoes to extreme temperatures
- Throw, drop, roll, slide or drag Class 6 cargoes
- 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.
