Procedures and guidelines for stowage and segregation of dangerous cargo, shall be adhered to additionally:
1) Every dangerous cargo shipment shall be made in line with IMO policy and be accompanied by required documentation. DG cargo with restricted/prohibited UN numbers shall not be accepted for shipment unless under special circumstance express permission is obtained from the company.
2) All DG containers must be checked for proper label/placard as required by the IMDG code. A stock of spare labels/placards must be kept on board.
3) DG containers must be checked for condition prior loading and leaking or damaged containers posing a hazard, shall be rejected.
4) It must be ensured that all DG containers are loaded in the planned stow position. Any discrepancies shall be brought to the notice of the Terminal planner / Central planner and / or local agent as required.
The final condition may be accepted only if meeting all stowage and segregation requirements; else it must be corrected by discharging / shifting concerned container(s).
5) The requisite day/night signals for vessels carrying / loading / discharging dangerous cargo shall be displayed.
6) When handling/carrying dangerous cargo on board smoking shall strictly not be allowed other than in designated smoking areas. Signs/placards shall be appropriately displayed at gangway and on deck.
7) Location and properties of dangerous cargo shall be considered when carrying out any special work on board such as hot work etc.
8) Other precautions shall be taken when handling dangerous cargo shipments as warranted by good seamanship, SOLAS, MARPOL, IMDG code, local and national regulations.
9) Further guidance for handling D.G cargo is contained in IMDG Code vol 1, 2 & supplement.