The results are in, and hazmat violations are still an issue.
As part of this year’s Road Blitz, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) presented the results of its unannounced inspection campaign, which focused on safety issues linked to the transport of hazardous materials and dangerous products (HM/DG).
CMV inspectors in Canada, Mexico, and the United States conducted 13,471 inspections of vehicles transporting HM/DGs between June 21 and June 25. Two thousand seven hundred fourteen infractions were reported out of 10,905 CMVs and 8,363 HM/DG packages inspected in the United States and Canada.
CMVs hauling HM/DGs and any vehicle found to have HM/DG-related out-of-service violations were inspected. Truckers who violated these, as well as another driver- or vehicle-related out-of-service violations, were barred from driving until the violations were resolved.
During this summer’s Road Blitz, various containment difficulties were discovered. There were six hundred twenty-eight non-bulk/small means of containment packing violations, 277 non-bulk/small standards of containment labeling violations, 288 loadings and securement violations, and 50 HM/DG package integrity (leaking) violations included in the total.
Mark Barlar, director of risk services at Reliance Partners, isn’t surprised by the number of violations. “There are a lot of tiny details that go into the hazardous material standards that a lot of drivers are just not familiar with,” he added.
“Hazmat [loads] are very safe to carry depending on what they are, as long as they’re properly wrapped,” Barlar said. “It becomes a significant issue when they are no longer contained inside of [their] package.”
When exposed to or in contact with other materials, some materials become incredibly volatile. For example, certain acids react severely with particular metals, according to Barlar.
The problem, according to Barlar, stems from drivers’ lack of understanding of the criteria for transporting risky items. Many people are unaware that, unlike regular freight, hazardous cargo requires additional security measures; in some cases, drivers do not verify the shipments because the trailer was sealed before delivery. As a result, they may misunderstand their cargo’s nature or be unaware of differences between the shipping paperwork and the shipment itself.
Misuse or a lack of understanding of hazardous materials markings, labeling, or placarding can also result in violations. This year, CVSA documented 390 violations of bulk packaging/ample means of containment placarding and 307 violations of bulk packaging/ample means of containment placarding, as well as 167 other safety marking infractions.
It’s not uncommon for cars to show the incorrect placards, according to Barlar, who noted that signs and markings could be confusing.
The labels for flammable gas and flammable liquid, for example, are red diamonds with a white flame. The words “flammable gas” or “flammable liquid” may be written on some signs. However, this is not always the case. Remember that flammable gas placards have the number 2, while flammable liquid placards have the number 3. Hazardous materials labeling is explained in detail by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
A four-digit UN/NA number, which denotes a specific hazardous chemical or set of dangerous substances, may also be printed on placards or the trailer itself. This number, in addition to the correct placard, is critical. “1203 is the number specifically for gasoline,” Barlar explained. However, a class three [flammable liquid] placard on the vehicle does not indicate that it is particularly gasoline, but rather that it is a combustible liquid; 1203 marks the sort of material.”
The placard and its identifiers are one of the first things inspectors look for, he said. To avoid a violation and ensure that emergency responders know what to do in the case of a tanker leak or spill, drivers must have the appropriate labels displayed.
Barlar is well-versed in hazardous materials inspections. Over 20 years as a DOT inspector in Wisconsin, between Milawukee and Chicago, is on his resume. He worked for the FMCSA as a hazardous materials inspector and an instructor, training others to conduct dangerous materials and cargo tank inspections.
Barlar recommends the industry review both FMCSA and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration standards in light of the 496 shipping paper infractions detected during the Road Blitz.
Barlar expressly encourages drivers to keep hazmat bills of lading and other shipping documentation (completed and reviewed for accuracy), as well as a Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Guidebook, on hand and within reach within the cab at all times. For ease of access, he recommends keeping these documents in the driver’s side door.
“Training, training, training – you can never have too much of it,” Barlar emphasized, advising drivers to attend training more than once every three years, which is the minimal need for hazmat workers.
Motor transporters should also seek the advice of hazmat experts, according to Barlar. It’s a fantastic approach for fleets to renew safety principles and best practices by having law enforcement officers or experts like him speak about the dangers of transporting hazardous commodities.
“You can never be complacent,” Barlar added, emphasizing the importance of thorough pre-and post-trip inspections. He advised that you do things well because it could save your life.
