Section 13 in Cochin Port Trust (Handling Freight Containers Carrying Dangerous or Hazardous Cargo) Regulations, 2019
13. Stuffing and de-stuffing of containers.
(1)The stacking of containers shall be as provided in regulation 9 and the stuffing or destuffing operation shall commence only after obtaining clearance from the Deputy Conservator.(2)The stuffing and destuffing operation shall follow strictly the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Guidelines for the packing of dangerous or hazardous cargo in a Freight Container.(3)In case stuffing or destuffing is done in an area in the vicinity of stack-yard, a minimum distance of thirty metres around shall be observed.(4)The following procedure and conditions shall be followed before stuffing, namely:-(a)containers into which dangerous cargos are to be stuffed shall be examined visually for damage and if there is evidence of material damage, the container shall not be packed;(b)container shall be clean, dry and fit for use and irrelevant dangerous cargo labels shall be removed or masked over before stuffing begins;(c)information shall be provided by the shipper about the hazardous proportions of the dangerous cargo to be handled and the shipper shall also ensure that dangerous cargoes are stuffed, marked and labeled in accordance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code;(d)dangerous cargo shall not be handled unless packaged, marked and labeled in accordance with these regulations;(e)dangerous cargo shall only be handled, stuffed and secured under direct and identifiable supervision of a person deputed by the consignor or the consignee as the case may be, who is familiar with the risks involved and knows which emergency measure should be taken and such person shall also ensure that any necessary protective equipment is available;(f)smoking shall be strictly prohibited;(g)suitable fire precaution measure shall be taken;(h)packages shall be examined and if any found to be damaged, leaking or sifting shall not be stuffed into a container and packages showing evidence of staining, etc., shall not be packed into a container without first determining that it is safe and acceptable to do so;(i)water or other matter adhering to packages shall be removed before packing into a container;(j)if cargoes are palletized or otherwise utilized they shall be compact and secured in a manner unlikely to damage the individual packages comprising the unit load and the materials used to handle the unit load together shall be compatible with the substances unit load and retain their efficiency when exposed to moisture, extremes of temperature and sunlight;(k)in case where electric power supplied is used for any equipment or machinery in the area where containers are stacked or stuffing and destuffing is carried out, the electric supply system in the machinery shall be of a type which will not cause any spark likely to cause hazard; and(l)container intended to carry dangerous cargo under temperature control shall be inspected and operated to ensure that the machinery is in proper working order before the shipment is made and a record of the inspection shall be maintained.(5)While stuffing and securing containers, -(a)special care shall be taken during handling to ensure that the packages or receptacles are not damaged;(b)if a package containing dangerous cargo is damaged during handling and the contents leak out, the immediate area shall be evacuated until the hazard potential can be assessed and such damaged packages shall not be transported;(c)no repacking shall be done within the port premises and if leakage from dangerous cargo is likely to cause any explosion, spontaneous combustion, poisoning or similar danger, personnel shall immediately be moved to safe place and the emergency response organization including the fire service, medical services and pollution control organization shall be notified as necessary;(d)dangerous goods shall not be stuffed in the same container with incompatible substances;(e)dangerous goods, which may suffer damage by taint, odour or contamination to other products, shall not be stuffed in the same container as goods;(f)when dangerous cargo, particularly those from Class 6.1 (Poisons) and Class 8 (Corrosives) are handled, consumption of any form of food or drink shall be prohibited;(g)special packing instructions detailed on individual packages or otherwise available must be strictly observed and goods marked "Protect from Frost" shall be stowed away from the walls of the container; and(h)goods marked "this way up" shall be packed accordingly and when dangerous goods consignment forms only part of the load of a container, it shall be stuffed so as to be accessible from the doors of the container.
