How Can Hazardous Materials be Transsported?
Numerous risks come with transporting hazardous substances. Whether it is loss of cargo, damage in transit, explosions, spills, theft, or leaks, there is always an inherent danger in hazmat shipping.
For this reason, there are special rules set in place for shipping and delivering these goods. Examples include securing the load, using appropriate packaging, displaying specific information on the classification of these materials, and more.
Continue reading to learn about these precautions and hazard prevention in detail.
Following Transportation Guideline
The easiest solution to any problem is to simply follow the rules. So, if there are already guidelines for hazmat shipping, why would you want to do anything differently?
Whether it’s state, county, federal, or international shipping, there are always regulations that define the proper handling and packaging of hazardous materials and goods. More often than you would expect, you are meant to follow these guidelines by the book.
In the United States, the United States Department of Transportation establishes these laws. However, when it comes to international shipments, the same regulations apply to some European countries as well, with corresponding governing agencies for rail, air, and sea having their own guidelines.
Smaller Quantities
To make it easier for lab employees, people ship hazardous materials over short distances or in lesser quantities. This just makes it simpler to not spill the contents of the shipments. Movers further guarantee this safety by implementing proper training to the relevant staff members.
Packaging
As brushed upon earlier, there is always a risk of contamination or damage to goods in transit. To avoid anything happening to the materials or products, every item needs to be in the appropriate containers, marked and sealed accordingly. Various types of containers or sharps bins are color coded to help disposal services facilitate sharps bin collection for convenient transportation.
You should then confine these products using UN-approved bulk bags while adhering to international hazmat shipping standards. Although proper packing means hazardous area scales materials remain intact for shipment, handlers should also work on weight distribution, secure transportation, and loading requirements to lessen the likelihood of mishaps. This would all play an important role in securing your and your employees’ wellbeing while maintaining the quality and safety of the hazardous materials being transported!
Waste Discharge or Spills
Sometimes spills are just beyond human control. Hence, if a spill does occur, you must contact the local authorities immediately. If you are based in the US, your go-to option should be calling the National Response Center (NRC) by phone.
Upon doing so, a transporter would be sent to clean up hazardous waste before it becomes a risk to human health and the environment.
Technology
With everything becoming digital today, it’s no surprise that utilizing technology can benefit the transportation industry significantly. Technological integration and automation can help carriers use GPS tracking or similar tech for more efficient and safer shipments. You can even go further and have the GPS notify you of route deviations or delays.
Other than that, road deliveries can come with forward- or side-facing cameras, roll stability systems, or speed limiters. This would increase security and freight safety while minimizing product damage.
Key Takeaway
Hazmat shipping is no laughing matter. Hazardous materials pose a considerable risk during transport, and you would always have to compensate heavily later if there are any losses or damage to the shipment or the carrier. Be it sea, air, or land, there are always regulations to be followed and standards to be met. Most of these are already implemented by law, so the best takeaway is to just follow the rules.
Make sure that you use sturdy packaging with appropriate labels illustrating necessary precautions. Opt for transport vehicles that would deliver the materials on time while keeping them safe in place. And, more than anything, instruct and train your drivers on the methods of safe transport and effective waste disposal.
Last but not the least, oversee the coordination of every aspect of shipment and transportation to ensure additional layers of security. At the end of it all, it’s worth going the extra mile to keep you and your employees safe!