If you’ve just started your shipping and logistics company involved in transportation of chemicals, gases or flammable liquids then it is important you follow all safety measures and regulations. For that you need to know everything about hazmat shipping and transportation. Check out our frequently asked questions about Hazmat shipping, transportation, and answers to them.
But first, you need to know about hazmat shipping briefly.
What is Hazmat Shipping?
Hazmat shipping involves the transportation of hazardous materials (HazMat) that could pose a risk to health, safety, or property when transported. These materials require special handling, equipment, and permits for safe transport.
The process involves properly classifying and packaging the material, applying the correct hazard communications such as marks and labels, and preparing shipping documentation. It’s crucial for drivers and truckers to comprehend these requirements to guarantee safety. Remember, understanding the hazard classification of a product will dictate all other requirements, including packaging, marks, labels, and shipping paper requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hazmat Shipping
Before shipping Hazmat materials, through your own logistics broker or any third party logistics company, it is important to know what kind of documents you might require or if there is any training and what precaution you should take. Let us answer these common questions of yours and clear your doubts about hazmat shipping.
What Items You Should Consider for Hazmat Shipping?
Hazmat materials, short for hazardous materials, could pose a risk to health, safety, or property when transported. These materials require special handling and packaging for safe transport. Hazardous materials categorize them into different classes based on their properties:
Explosive substances and articles: Substances and articles which pose a hazard due to explosion.
Gases: Potentially dangerous gases. These can be divided into groups representing their dangerous properties.
Flammable liquids: Includes some molten solid substances and liquid desensitized explosives.
Flammable solids: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion or which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases.
Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles: This includes Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides, toxic and infectious substances, radioactive material, and other corrosive substances.
According to DOT (Department of Transportation) and UN regulations, manufacturers must construct packaging for hazardous materials to securely contain and transport the intended product. The packaging must display the DOT specification or UN Rating on its exterior.
What Precautions Should You Take as a Driver?
As a driver transporting hazardous materials, it’s crucial to adhere to the regulations and precautions. You must ensure proper training for handling hazardous materials every 3 years according to Federal laws. Moreover, if you are shipping packages using air transport you must contact IATA and receive training every 2 years.
Why Can Hazmat Classes Cannot be Transported Together?
Hazardous materials (Hazmat) are classified into different classes based on their properties and risks. Certain classes of Hazmat cannot be transported together due to the potential risks of reactions, combustion, or dangerous evolution of heat or gases. Here are some examples:
Explosives (Class 1): Compatibility among Explosive materials governs the segregation among different Class 1 materials.
Flammable Gases (Class 2): Flammable Gases (Class 2) cannot be transported with Flammable Liquids (Class 2.1)), Flammable Solids (Class 2.2)), and Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases (Class 2.3)).
Toxic Gas (Class 2.3): Toxic Gas (Class 2.3) cannot be transported with Flammable Liquids (Class 3), Flammable Solids (Class 4.1)), Spontaneously Combustible Materials (Class 4.2)), Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases (Class 4.3), and Toxic Liquids 6).
Corrosive Liquids (Class 5): Flammable Solids (Class 2.2) or Oxidizing Materials (Class 6) cannot be loaded above or adjacent to Class 5.
These are some common products and materials that cannot be transported together. But before transporting anything together, read the Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines for Hazmat transportation.
What 7 Entries are Required on All Hazmat Shipping Papers?
The documents you should carry with you when shipping Hazmat vary depending on the mode of transport, the type and quantity of Hazmat, and the destination. Drivers who transport Hazmat material and products must adhere to Title 49 of Federal regulations. Let us check all the documents and entries you should carry with you.
UN Identification Number: This unique identifier corresponds to the hazardous material, facilitating proper handling and response in case of emergencies.
Proper Shipping Name: Clearly labelling the hazardous material ensures proper classification and handling during transportation.
Hazard Class: The hazard class categorizes the type of danger posed by the material, guiding safety measures and protocols.
Packing Group: This classification system categorizes hazardous materials based on their degree of danger, influencing packaging, labelling, and handling requirements.
Quantity: Accurately stating the quantity of hazardous material helps in planning safe transportation, storage, and emergency response.
Number and Type of Packages: Detailing the number and type of packages used for shipping hazardous materials ensures appropriate handling and storage.
Emergency Contact Information: Providing emergency contact details enables quick and effective response in case of accidents or incidents during transportation.
Shipper’s Certification: The shipper’s certification confirms compliance with Title 49 of Federal regulations, ensuring responsible handling and transportation of hazardous materials.
These documents and regulations aim to ensure the safety of people, property, and the environment from the risks of Hazmat incidents.
How to Reach a Certified Hazmat Shipping Broker?
US Ravens a leading logistics company in US has partnered with licensed drivers to transport chemicals, flammable materials, and gases across different states. Every three years, the Office of Chemical Safety regulations require us to train our drivers.
US ravens have drivers with refrigerate trucks who can transport your loads at sensitive temperatures and pressures according to need.
If you need help transporting your loads at the best price, contact the US Ravens today!