Emergency Response Study on the Role of the Shipping Document for Dangerous Goods Incidents

Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Directorate has a requirement for a study on the use of the shipping document during accidents involving dangerous goods/hazardous materials.

The objective of the study is to:

• Confirm the purpose and roles of the shipping document with First Responders
• Sample First Responders on potential complications and potential advantages of electronic shipping documents as an alternative to paper shipping documents.
• Assess the use of the shipping document
• Identify the problems encountered by paper shipping documents and how they could be addressed by electronic shipping documents
• Identify potential complications and potential advantages of electronic shipping documents.
• Assess the IT capabilities for First Responders to access information electronically

The analysis must:

• focus on all dangerous goods incidents in Canada over the last three years (minimum), although the last five years would be ideal

• include the following stakeholders, in order of priority: firefighters (including volunteer firefighters), police, paramedics; as well employees working in airports, ports, etc. that act as First Responders in emergency situations.

• include all modes of transportation (road, rail, marine, air).

• include representation from every province and territory

• include representation from urban, rural, and remote and isolated areas

• include representation of First Nations First Responders

  Components of analysis:

1. Overview of Dangerous Goods emergency response in relation to the shipping document

2. Assessment of the current use of the paper shipping document

3. Technological capabilities of First Responders

4. Potential complications and potential advantages of electronic shipping documents