The “PROTEAS Protocol” for safe management of hazardous substances is an innovative online tool that has systematized the Best Available Techniques and Industrial Practices for the Safe Transport and Handling of Dangerous Chemicals in four types of transport:
- via ROAD with tank trucks,
- via RAIL with rail vehicles,
- via SEA with ships and
- via PIPELINES
The PROTEAS Protocol was developed in the framework of the European Program PROTEAS (LIFE09 ENV/GR/291) as a user-friendly tool for companies that manage hazardous substances and simple users (general public, third parties). In particular, it was designed for those involved in the supply, transport and distribution of fuels, petrochemicals and other hazardous substances such as:
- oil trading and fuel distribution,
- chemical storage/handling,
- transport of dangerous goods,
- petrol/gas stations, etc.
The PROTEAS Protocol e-platform includes two sub-platforms:
- PROTEAS guidelines with good practices and safety and environmental information for the safe transport, handling and management of fuels and other hazardous chemicals. The information is categorized into 12 distinct themes:
- Legislative obligations
- Protective equipment
- Safety data sheets
- Environmental impacts
- Safety management systems
- Training/information and
- General material
- Emergency instructions ERG with emergency guidelines in the transportation cycle according to the Emergency Response Guidebook 2012 (ERG 2012) of the U.S. Department of Transportation for more than 2000 hazardous chemical substances and Vehicle Type, Wagon Type and Danger Sign (for use in case the hazardous substances transported in the transport unit are unknown).
The basic features of the online platform include:
- customized information and guidelines, depending on the user’s options,
- categorized information in “Protocol Kartes” (Protocol Cards) and
- ease of use and storage of the relevant material.
The choice of the desired user information is supported by a navigation engine that allows a large number of options per:
- Transportation modes (4 Means of Transport)
- Life Cycle Stages (7 Stages)
- Class (9 Classes)
- Substance Group (46 Groups)
- Hazard Identification Number (ΗΙΝ) (96 Hazard Identification Numbers)
- Hazardous Chemical Substance (2000 Substances)
The platform shall include an index and a comprehensive database of all dangerous goods in accordance with the European Agreement ADR 2015 with reference to the UN number, the name of the dangerous goods, the hazard class and the hazard identification number.
Emphasis is given on Petroleum Products and the Hazard Classes are considered:
- Flammable Gases (Class 2.1)
- Non-flammable, Non-toxic Gases (Class 2.2)
- Toxic Gases (Class 2.3)
- Flammable Liquids (Class 3)
- Oxidizing Substances (Class 5.1)
- Toxic Substances (Class 6.1)
- Corrosive Substances (Class 8)
- Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods (Class 9)
The contents of the software are presented in the form of files, tables, charts, presentations based on the research and outcomes of the program and the Technical Working Groups set up under the program. The protocol information is gathered in the “Protocol Cards” and in the relevant thematic sections. Users have free access to all of the Protocol Cards according to their choice among the thousands of combinations .
The online platform of the PROTEAS Protocol for the safe management of Hazardous Substances is available to all users, with free access via the www.proteas-reach.gr website, by selecting the link “e-Tools & Instructions” and then the “PROTEAS Protocol” option. Alternatively, the platform can be accessed directly via the website address www.kartes.proteas-reach.gr. Users are advised to work with Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer 11 for platform’s best performance.
Version and Contact Details: For more information on the PROTEAS protocol online platform, please refer to the “PROTEAS Protocol User Manual” or contact the Technical University of Crete PROTEAS Program (Scientific Program Manager, Dr. G. Papadakis, Tel .: +30 28210 37316, firstname.lastname@example.org, email@example.com).