Transport Canada reclassifies TDG regs for fertilizer

OTTAWA — For safety reasons Transport Canada has amended the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations to reflect the re-classification of anhydrous ammonia (fertilizer) from non-flammable, non-toxic gas, to toxic gas.

“My department held extensive consultations with governments and industry stakeholders alike, both domestic and international, and is committed to ensuring safety in the transportation of dangerous goods,” said Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon in a press release.

The change in classification is partly in response to the Transportation Safety Board’s recommendation that Transport Canada review the primary class and safety marks for anhydrous ammonia, following three derailments involving releases of the gas. These derailments occurred near Britt, Ontario, on September 23, 1999; in Red Deer, Alberta, on February 2, 2001; and in Minot, North Dakota, on January 18, 2002.

Additional regulatory amendments include changes regarding the transportation of infectious substances, as well as changes to the requirements for transporting explosives.

The amendments are technical in nature and are designed to make the TDG Regulations consistent with a number of new international and Canadian standards, modal requirements and technical developments for the transportation of dangerous goods. These changes also harmonize the regulations with recent changes to the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations.

The amended regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, this week.