Dangerous goods (ADR)

TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS ONBOARD BUSSES AND COACHES CARRYING PASSENGERS

All transports of dangerous goods are carried out in compliance with the acts listed in the publication ‘Vaarallisten aineiden kuljetus tiellä 2017’ (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) and the regulations issued by the Government and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Additionally, the operations are governed by the instructions and provisions included in this ADR Brochure issued by Matkahuolto as well as the limitations related to specific classes of goods.

DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND OBJECTS CARRIED AS BUS FREIGHT

Consignor’s liability

The consignor is liable for ensuring that the substance or goods handed over for carriage, the packaging and markings as well as the entries on the address card are in compliance with the regulations issued under the applicable decrees.

Quantities of dangerous goods carried

• The maximum quantities are shown as gross weights unless otherwise indicated.
• The total quantity of dangerous substances and goods carried on a single bus may not exceed 200 kg.

Class-specific limitations

Explosives

The maximum quantity of Class 1.4 S explosives is 20 kg (net). No other types of explosives are carried as bus freight. The products must be packaged in accordance with the provisions contained in Annexes A and B to the Decree of the Ministry of Transport and Communications or duly packaged in high-strength wrapping so as to prevent any of the contents of the package from leaking out.

Gases

The maximum quantity of non-toxic Class 2 gases is 60 kg; the maximum amount of Class 1O oxygen and Class 4F acetylene when transported together being, however, two cylinders with a maximum capacity of 20 litres supported in such a way as to be immobilised. Transports of toxic gases (groups T, TF, TC, TO, TFC, TOC) is forbidden.

Flammable liquids

The maximum total quantity of Class 3 flammable liquids belonging to Group II and Group III is 100 litres of which Group II flammable liquids may account for a total of 60 litres. Flammable liquids marked with labels 6.1 or 8 in addition to Class 3 label may not be transported.

Flammable solids

The maximum total quantity of packages containing Class 4.1 substances flagged with danger label 4.1 is 50 kg. Transportation of other Class 4.1 substances is forbidden.

Mildly toxic and corrosive substances

The maximum total quantity of Class 6.1 and 8 mildly toxic or corrosive substances belonging to Group III is 20 kg.

Radioactive substances

The maximum total quantity of packages containing Class 7 radioactive substances flagged with danger label 7A and packages for which no danger label is required, is 50 kg.

Miscellaneous dangerous substances and items

The maximum total quantity of Class 9 substances and items is 50 kg.

NO OTHER SUBSTANCES CLASSIFIED AS DANGEROUS ARE CARRIED AS BUS FREIGHT.

Quantities exceeding maximum permitted limits by class

If quantities exceeding the class-specific limits listed above are to be transported, they have to be divided between several address cards so as to ensure that said quantities are not exceeded for any single consignment. To accomplish this, the shipment must be made using several buses.

Documents accompanying consignments of dangerous goods

An address card, web address card or EDI data interchange parcel card must be completed for all consignments containing dangerous goods dispatched as bus freight indicating all the information required by law on the substances or goods being dispatched.

Co-packaging of substances of differences classes

Co-packaging is governed by the provisions specified in Table A and section 4.1.10 of the Decree of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Transporting substances of different classes using a single address card

Permitted substances included in said list may be transported as bus freight packed in separate packages using a single address card.

Co-loading prohibitions

Permitted consignments included in said list and transported as bus freight may be co-loaded.

Substances transported as limited quantities (LQ) and/or exceptional quantities (EQ)

The consignor must report the gross weight of items packaged as limited quantities (LQ) to Matkahuolto in writing before dispatch in a traceable manner. The information is indicated in the Contents/ADR field of the parcel label, in the EDI message or when the web entries are saved. Example: “Total gross weight of substances subject to LQ restrictions 10 kg”. No verbal reports by phone or otherwise are acceptable.

Any amounts carried as exceptional quantities ( EQ) are indicated in the Contents/ADR field of the address card as ” Dangerous goods in exceptional quantities”.

The substances transported as limited quantities and/or exceptional quantities will be included in the calculation of the total quantity of dangerous substances and goods carried on a single bus. The total quantity of dangerous substances and goods carried on a single bus may not exceed 200 kg.

Parcel label entries

The following data must be entered in the parcel label for all dangerous substances:

• UN number of the dangerous substance preceded by the characters “UN”
• Official name of the substance or article in accordance with section 3.1.2 of the Decree of the Ministry of Transport and Communications
• Transport class and potential additional classification or danger class of Class 1 explosive substances followed by compatibility group character packaging group if specified for the substance or article
• Abbreviation VAK (or ADR or RID
• Number and description of packages
• Total quantity of dangerous substances and unit of measurement (volume or gross or net weight)
• Consignor’s name and address
• Consignee’s name and address
• Notification required under any special agreement
• Any special regulation under which the substance or object is exempted from other ADR requirements.

Charge for the carriage of dangerous goods

The rate charged for bus freight is determined according to total weight. Additionally, the carriage of dangerous goods is subject to a special handling charge.

Limitations for the carriage of dangerous goods

Consignments are not accepted for carriage if

• the contents may not be carried as bus freight
• the address card entries or package danger labels are incomplete
• an external visual inspection shows that the packaging is inadequate or leaking.

Danger labels

Only packages flagged with the following danger labels may be carried as bus freight.

DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND OBJECTS CARRIED AS LUGGAGE

Carriage of dangerous substances and objects as luggage on board buses and coaches is regulated by the provisions of section 28 of the Government Decree on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (194/2002).

Passengers are required to inform the driver or carrier of any dangerous substances and objects carried as luggage onboard a coach or bus. Normally, they are placed in the cargo hold for the duration of transport to minimise the risk.

CARRIAGE OF MEDICINAL OXYGEN

Oxygen (UN 1072 Oxygen, compressed, and UN 1073 Oxygen, refrigerated liquid) required by the passenger during the trip for medical reasons may be carried regardless of the provisions of Annex A and B of the Act on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods By Road subject to the following condition:

The gas cylinders must meet the statutory requirements regarding the structure, inspection, approval and marking of the gas cylinders.

Parcel Service telephone number: 0800 132 582 Mon–Fri from 8:00 to 18:00