Dangerous Goods are defined as a product, substance or organism included by its nature or by the regulations in any of the classes listed in the schedule.
Dangerous Goods are sorted into 9 Classes based on their hazard profile.
Some examples commonly found at UBC sites:
- Laboratory reagents/chemicals
- Pathogenic microorganisms
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Compressed gases
- Diesel Fuel for Generators
- Hazardous wastes
- Industrial Cleansers & Disinfectants
- Lithium batteries outside of a device
Required Reporting of Dangerous Goods Activities
Transport Canada has introduced regulatory changes to the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations to require reporting of operational activities involving Dangerous Goods (DG). Units who import, handle, ship or transport dangerous goods are now required to provide summary reports of DG activity types and goods classifications based on their previous 12 months of shipping documentation. An institution-wide compilation of this information will be submitted to Transport Canada each October.
Questions or requests for more in-depth discussions reporting requirements may be directed to dangerous.goods@ubc.ca.
Dangerous Goods Activities – The Links in the Transport Chain
Importation: Purchasing dangerous goods from suppliers outside of Canada
Offer for Transport: Preparing a shipment dangerous goods for others to transport, such as a courier or 3rd party waste contractor
Handle: Moving shipments on/off vehicles or to end user.
Transport: Moving dangerous goods over public roads to a different address
If you do any of these activities, you must complete training for the Dangerous Goods Classes included in your work.
Transport of Dangerous Goods Training
The training required depends largely upon the classes of Dangerous Goods you import, handle, ship or transport. The training certificate you receive is valid for 3 years for ground shipments and 2 years for air. Keep your certificate handy at work, as Transport Canada inspectors can require you to produce it immediately upon their request.
| If you import, handle, ship or receive Dangerous Goods including…. | Then take….. |
| Biological substances, including clinical samples, animal tissues, cell lines, viruses, prions or bacterial strains | Transportation of Dangerous Goods Class 6.2 – Infectious Substances |
| Nuclear substances or radiation devices | TDG Class 7: Shipping & receiving (offered online through BCIT)
Note: see BCIT course page for costs |
| Hazardous chemicals, fuels, dry ice, lithium-ion batteries, or compressed gases | UBC Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Ground and Air |