Testing and ventilation of marine containers

Chemical fumigants are widely used in the shipping industry to kill invasive alien species in cargo loads.

Fumigants are chemical compounds in the form of gases that are typically used as Insecticides or disinfectants. These gases are slightly heavier than air and have the ability to spread to all areas of a sealed structure. Chemical fumigants are widely used in the shipping industry to kill invasive alien species in cargo loads.

Procedures

The CBSA has standardized testing and ventilation procedures across all major marine operations. Current testing requires the use of a detection-technology known as Dräger-Tubes to test for six common fumigants and solvents:

• Formaldehyde,
• Methyl Bromide,
• Toluene,
• Benzene,
• Sulfuryl Fluoride and
• Phosphine.

Levels of chemicals

The Canada Labour Code, Part II, specifies workplace exposure limits for the chemicals of concern. These exposure limits are based on the Threshold Limit Values established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The Workplace Health and Public Safety Program of Health Canada provides advice and other support to federal agencies with regard to occupational health issues, including effective management of chemical exposures.

Why and when these procedures were implemented

The CBSA has been taking action to protect its employees from the threat of fumigants for years. We enhanced our fumigant detection procedures two years ago, after an employee did not feel well after entering a container to perform a routine examination. Even though there was no evidence at the time to indicate that the employee had been exposed to a hazardous substance, this incident raised concerns that employees could possibly become exposed to hazardous substances. As a result, the CBSA has implemented testing procedures for known fumigants/solvents. After formaldehyde was detected, it was added to the testing process in June of 2008.

Health and Safety of CBSA employees

The CBSA remains committed to eliminating, by reducing to non-detectable levels, any exposure of chemicals to its employees. Examination procedures were amended July 4, 2007, following the first fumigant study report, in order to enhance employee safety during container examination. To mitigate the risk of exposure, employees are instructed to follow procedures, which include mandatory testing for fumigants and solvents, and set ventilation timeframes followed by re-testing for fumigants and solvents.

Dräger-tubes are available and interim standard operating procedures have been developed and communicated to local managers. If dräger-tube testing is not possible, alternative measures, which include hiring external contractors, are to be used to test all containers for fumigants and/or solvents prior to examination. It remains essential that CBSA employees only examine containers that have been deemed safe to examine.

What the CBSA is doing to mitigate risks and avoid delays

The CBSA takes the health and safety of its employees very seriously and is acting to ensure that they are provided with the necessary testing equipment. The CBSA now requires employees to test all marine containers prior to examination, and to follow standard operating procedures for fumigant/solvent testing.

Dräger-tubes have been incorporated into the routine testing of chemical gases in containers. The CBSA is also looking into new highly sensitive detection technology that can test a wide spectrum of chemicals in one quick and easy test (5-10 minutes).

Ultimately, the health and safety of our employees remains a top priority, as we continue to make every effort to mitigate all known risks. The CBSA recognizes that the testing and ventilation of containers could cause delays with the movement of containers and is taking action to address the current state of our operations, while still ensuring the health and safety of our employees.

The following are some of the measures that the CBSA has undertaken:

• New detection-technology is being purchased to expedite the testing process. The SYFT Voice 200 unit is able to test for all common fumigants/solvents in one test that takes approximately 5-10 minutes. The acceptance testing is complete and the CBSA has procured additional units for Canada’s major marine operations. The deployment is expected to be complete in the fall.
• The CBSA is researching new ventilation equipment to expedite the ventilation process. Ventilation systems are presently undergoing testing at sites across Canada.
• In addition, the CBSA has moved to a 24-hour operation at all major marine ports to expedite the testing/ventilation processes.
• The CBSA is consulting with Health Canada to help streamline the testing/ventilation procedures.
• CBSA scientists continue to test and refine technical procedures as the CBSA learns more about this evolving health and safety situation.

What this means for marine containers

Wait times

The CBSA recognizes that the testing and ventilation of containers is causing delays with the movement of containers and is taking immediate action to address the current state of our operations, while still ensuring the health and safety of our employees.

Costs for testing and ventilation

The CBSA will assume the fees from third party pest control companies in those cases where the Container Examination Facilities do not have supplied-air breathing systems for CBSA employees to conduct ventilation activities.