Hazardous Materials Transportation

What is a Hazardous Material? A material or group or class of materials is designated as hazardous when it is determined that transporting that material in commerce in a particular amount or form poses an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property.

Why do Hazardous Materials Need to be Transported? Although classified as hazardous, many of these materials are critical to the economy and to every day life. The following items are classified as Hazardous Materials Gasoline Diesel Fertilizers Insecticides Oxygen Medical Supplies Welding Supplies Fire Extinguishers Batteries Air Bag Components Bulk Medicines Bulk Cosmetics Refrigerants Charcoal Paint

Hazardous Materials- Who Does What? Department of Transportation (USDOT) – controls and regulates transportation of hazardous materials. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - governs safety in the workplace. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – regulates hazardous materials as they may impact the community and environment including handling, environmental cleanup, and disposal.

Who Controls Hazardous Materials Transport? The Secretary of Transportation, by law, is required to issue regulations for the safe transportation, including security, of hazardous materials.

Which Agencies Regulate Hazardous Materials Transport? Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) United States Coast Guard (USCG)

PHMSA Issues the rules and regulations governing the safe transportation of hazardous materials. These rules are called the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). HMR covers: Hazardous Materials Classification Hazardous Materials Communication Packaging Operational Rules Training and Security Registration

FMCSA The FMCSA issues regulations concerning Highway routing of hazardous materials Hazardous Materials endorsements for commercial drivers licenses Highway hazardous materials safety permits Financial responsibility requirements for motor carriers of hazardous materials

FAA The FAA issues regulations covering: Hazardous materials that are part of the required aircraft equipment. Transportation of radioactive material on passenger-carrying aircraft when the material is to be used for medical purposes.

USCG The USCG regulates Bulk transportation of hazardous materials that are loaded or carried on board a vessel. Ship’s stores and supplies.

How are Hazardous Materials Identified During Shipping? Hazardous materials are identified 2 ways; On shipping papers or manifests, and by labels and placards. Shipping Papers

Classes of Hazardous Materials That are Transported There are 9 classes of hazardous materials or dangerous goods: Class 1 Explosives Class 2 Gases Class 2 Flammable Liquids and Combustible Liquids Class 4 Flammable Solids and Combustible Solids Class 5 Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides Class 6 Toxic Materials and Infectious Substances Class 7 Radioactive Materials Class 8 Corrosive Materials Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

DOT Chart 12: Hazardous Materials Marking, Labeling & Placarding Guide, p. 4) (source: U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,

What is a Placard? Hazmat placards must be minimum of 10.8 inches on each side. The placard must be prominently displayed on all 4 sides of the vessel or vehicle A placard identifies a hazardous material through 4 characteristics Hazard Symbol Placard Color Hazard name or Identification Number Hazard class number

Why do we need placards? The primary purpose of placards is to assist first responders with identification of a hazard when responding to an incident involving hazardous materials.

For more information Visit the following sites: PHMSA www.phmsa.dot.gov Environment, Health and Safety online www.ehso.com/dotregs.htm