CO129-626-2 Movement of dangerous goods around Hong Kong 1-1-1951 - 30-4-1951 — Page 16

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Classification of Dangerous Goods

The classification recommended does not differ greatly from that contained in the present Dangerous Goods Regulations of 19:10. Dangerous Goods are divided into the following Categories :-

(1) Explosives.

(2) Compressed "permanent", liquefied and dissolved rases. (3) Corrosive substances.

(4) Poisonous substances.

(5) Substances giving off inflammable vapours.

(6) Substances which become dangerous by interaction with water. (7) Strong supporters of combustion and readily combustible

substances.

(8) Substances which become dangerous by interaction with air

or are liable to spontaneous combustion.

(9) Any other substances which experience has shown or may show to be of a dangerous character, which now of course include radio-active material, and

(10) (a special Category) Medicinal and/or laboratory chemicals

in limited quantities packed together.

10.

Port Classes

One objection to this classification by substances and according to the type of danger which may arise is that all the sub- stances in one Category tend to he regarded as having an equal degree of danger. We have tried to meet this objection by having a further classification, suggested by the Fort Executive Committec and based on rules of the Port of London Authority, into Port Classes A, B, C and D, with Explosives as a separate Port Class E and bulk Petroleum as Port Class F. General conditions of handling have been defined in relation to each Port Class and are similar to those operating under the Port of London Authority, except that some changes in detail have been made to suit local conditions since the P.L.A. is able to exclude all Explosives and some Dangerous Goods from its premises completely, which is not practicable in Hong Kong.

We have accepted the classification of Dangerous Goods in the draft report of the Ministry of Transport and we consider that the Regulations regarding the loading and stowage of Dangerous Goods, and their marking, labelling and packing, laid down therein should be accepted generally. A final check and possible amendment of parts of our proposed Regulations should be made when the Ministry of Transport Report is published, probably in April.

We have inserted some local products but, with the exception of Fireworks and Matches, none are of such hazard as to be scheduled above Port Class D.

11.

General Control

The general supervision of the importation, exportation and conveyance of all Dangerous Goods, including Explosives, within the waters of the Colony naturally devolves on the Police, whose duty it is to take lawful measures for preserving order and for enforcing port and maritime regulations in the waters of the Colony.

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