U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Its Laws

1. Hazardous Materials Analysis.  It is essential that all hazardous materials associated with shipping and receiving depts. within the workplace be identified relative to thresholds, labeling and placarding from the 9 U.S. Coast Guard Classifications as specified by the DOT.
2. HazMat Transportation Act (HMTA - 181).  DOT has strict guidelines in requiring that all chemically-oriented products be properly labeled and placarded prior to and during shipment.
3. HazMat Employee Training (HM - 126f).  All employees associated with shipping, receiving, packaging, loading/unloading and driving are to be trained on the site-specific hazardous materials to which they are exposed in the workplace, specifically transportation departments.
4. HazMat Registration.  All shippers of chemically-oriented products, including those companies causing such products to be shipped, are required to register these products on an annual    basis.

U.S. DOT "Hazmat Employee" Training – Triennial Training Required

As of October 1, 1993, the DOT required that detailed training be given to all "Hazmat Employees" associated with transporting hazardous materials – by air, roadway, rail, or water.

DOT defines a "Hazmat Employee" as..." a person, who in the course of employment directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety.”  The definition mandates Hazmat Training of the following employees to include anyone who:

• is involved with packaging
• marks or labels packages
• prepares shipping papers
• manages or supervises shipping
• loads a vehicle
• operates a vehicle
• manages records
• any other employees involved in transporting hazardous materials.

DOT requires that, "it is the responsibility of the Hazmat Employer to assure that every Hazmat employee receives certification training, as mandated."

1.  DOT's Hazardous Materials Analysis must be conducted to determine the inherent hazards of each product which, in turn, will make the HazMat Training "site-specific" as required to satisfy compliance.

2.  All Hazmat Employees must receive GENERAL TRAINING on:

• Requirements of DOT regulations
• Recognition and identification of hazardous materials consistent with DOT hazardous

materials communication rules.

3.  All Hazmat Employees who handle or transport hazmat packages and anyone else who might be exposed to the materials as a result of an accident must receive SAFETY TRAINING on:

• DOT emergency response communications
• How to protect themselves and others from the hazards of hazardous materials to which they may be exposed
• Methods and procedures for avoiding accidents involving hazardous materials.

4.  Each type of Hazmat Employee must receive specific training, such as:

• Classification and naming of Hazardous Materials
• Packaging (Including new "Performance Packaging")
• Marking and Labeling
• Shipping Papers and Emergency Response Information Provision
• Placards
• Loading and unloading of transport vehicles
• Other Hazmat transportation information applicable to their job.