Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Materials Transportation: Who Does What?

Hazardous Materials Transportation: Who Does What?

The Shipper

  • Sends products from one place to another by truck, rail, vessel, or airplane.
  • Uses the hazardous materials regulations to determine the product’s: Identification number, Proper shipping name, Hazard class, Packing group, Correct packaging, Correct label and markings, & Correct placards.
  • Must package, mark, and label the hazardous materials being shipped
  • Prepares shipping papers
  • Provides emergency response information
  • Supplies placards for the shipment.
  • Certifies on the shipping paper that the shipment has been prepared according to the rules (unless you are pulling cargo tanks supplied by you or your employer).

The Carrier

  • Takes the shipment from the shipper to its destination.
  • Prior to transportation, checks that the shipper correctly described, marked, labeled, and otherwise prepared the shipment for transportation.
  • Refuses improper shipments.
  • Reports accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials to the proper government agency.

The Driver

  • Makes sure the shipper has identified, marked, and labeled the hazardous materials properly.
  • Refuses leaking packages and shipments.
  • Placards vehicle when loading, if required.
  • Safely transports the shipment without delay.
  • Follows all special rules about transporting hazardous materials.
  • Keeps hazardous materials shipping papers and emergency response information in the proper place.