Dangerous goods move through Alberta every day — fuels, solvents, batteries, compressed gases, oilfield chemicals. Moving them legally and safely is a shared job, and under Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) framework, much of that job belongs to the shipper before the truck ever arrives.
What counts as dangerous goods
More than most people expect. Beyond the obvious drums and cylinders, TDG covers lithium batteries, aerosols, paints and thinners, some cleaning agents, and many everyday industrial consumables. If a product ships with a safety data sheet, it’s worth checking whether it’s regulated before you book.
The shipper’s responsibilities
- Classification — identifying the correct UN number, shipping name, class and packing group.
- Documentation — a compliant shipping document accompanying the freight.
- Packaging — containers certified and in sound condition for the product.
- Marks and labels — correct safety marks on packages and, where required, placard information for the carrier.
- Training — anyone handling or offering DG for transport must hold valid TDG training or work under the direct supervision of someone who does.
The carrier’s role
The carrier confirms documentation, applies placards, ensures driver training and equipment fit the load, and refuses freight that isn’t compliant. A carrier that accepts undeclared or poorly documented DG isn’t doing you a favour — it’s exposing both parties to fines and real risk.
The most common DG violation isn’t a spill — it’s the shipment nobody declared. “It’s just a couple of batteries” is how most problems start.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Undeclared goods buried in mixed pallets, reused boxes with old labels still attached, expired training certificates, and missing emergency contact numbers on shipping documents. All are simple to fix at the dock and expensive to fix at a roadside inspection.
Plan DG shipments ahead
Nexora accepts dangerous goods by prior arrangement so the right equipment, paperwork and routing are in place before pickup. Tell dispatch what you’re shipping when you request the quote — not when the driver arrives — and the move stays smooth and compliant.