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
Insecticides
Oxygen
Welding Supplies Fire Extinguishers
Air Bag Components Bulk Medicines
Refrigerants
Charcoal
Fertilizers
Medical Supplies
Batteries
Bulk Cosmetics
Paint
Hazardous MaterialsWho 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 passengercarrying 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
Class 2
Class 2
Class 4
Class 5
Class 6
Class 7
Class 8
Class 9
Explosives
Gases
Flammable Liquids and Combustible Liquids
Flammable Solids and Combustible Solids
Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides
Toxic Materials and Infectious Substances
Radioactive Materials
Corrosive Materials
Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
(source: U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,
DOT Chart 12: Hazardous Materials Marking, Labeling & Placarding Guide, p. 4)
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 class number
Hazard name or
Identification 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