Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Awareness

TDG rules apply to anyone who handles, offers for transport, or transports dangerous goods - and 'handling' is interpreted broadly under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. Loading or unloading a delivery, receiving a shipment of chemicals on site, directing others who move dangerous goods, or even filling out shipping documents all trigger TDG obligations. Supervisors and safety coordinators are specifically responsible for ensuring workers are trained and that site procedures meet TDG requirements. Individual workers - not just companies - can be held personally liable for non-compliance.

Under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, individuals face fines up to $50,000 for a first offence and up to $1 million for subsequent offences, plus imprisonment for up to two years. Corporations face higher fines. Transport Canada inspectors have authority to stop vehicles, inspect cargo, issue compliance orders on the spot, and order the offloading and repackaging of non-compliant shipments at the shipper's expense. Ignorance of the regulations is not a legal defence.

Every TDG safety mark is a diamond-shaped symbol that tells you three things: the hazard class pictogram (what type of danger), the UN number - a 4-digit code identifying the exact substance (e.g., UN1203 for gasoline, UN1075 for propane) - and the primary class number at the bottom of the diamond. Labels appear on small containers (minimum 100 mm × 100 mm), while placards appear on all four sides of transport vehicles (minimum 250 mm × 250 mm). Once you have the UN number, you can look it up in the Emergency Response Guidebook to find isolation distances and first-aid guidance for that specific substance.

Stop work and assess the situation without approaching the release - identify what was spilled, how much, and whether there is an immediate fire, vapour, or contamination risk. Evacuate and establish a safe perimeter upwind, uphill, and upstream of the release, then call 911 immediately and notify your supervisor. Give emergency responders the UN number from the shipping document so they can locate the correct response guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook. Never attempt to re-seal a leaking container without proper training and PPE, and never wash a spill into a storm drain - both are violations under TDG Regulations Part 8.

Under TDG Regulations Part 3, every shipment of dangerous goods must be accompanied by a document showing the UN number, proper shipping name (the official name from Schedule 1 or 2 of the TDG Regulations), primary and subsidiary hazard class, packing group (I, II, or III), quantity and number of packages, shipper name and address with date, and a 24-hour emergency contact telephone number. The document must also include a signed certification that the goods are properly classified, packaged, and marked. Failure to produce the document when an inspector stops a vehicle is a chargeable offence, and both shippers and receivers must retain copies for at least two years after delivery.