HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

TRANSPORTATION

Mg. José Luis Damián

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 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module students will be able to:

1. Identify the principal regulations governing hazmat
transportation.
2. Explain the general layout of the hazardous materials
regulations and locate provisions that are applicable to
specific shipping situations.
3. Describe the operational elements required for the safe
and secure movement of hazmat within the applicable
regulatory requirements.

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 Why Regulate Hazmat Transportation?

• The dangerous goods transported, if released

or ignited, could cause harm to human health
or the environment.
• Some releases are catastrophic.
– Texas City, TX, cargo ship explosions, April 1947
– Waverly, TN, LP gas tank car, February 1978
– Caldecott Tunnel, CA, April 1982
– Baltimore, MD, rail tunnel fire, July 2001

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 What Is a Hazardous Material?

• Many organizations have offered definitions of the

synonymous terms “hazardous materials” and “dangerous
goods” to meet various needs (see handout):
– Institute of Hazardous Material Management (IHMM)
– National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
– U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
– U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
– U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
– U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
– U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

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 Basic USDOT Definition of Hazardous Material

A substance or material, that when transported in

commerce, is capable of posing an unreasonable risk
to:
– Health
– Safety
– Property

Source: PHMSA, USDOT, July 2012.

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 USDOT/PHMSA Hazmat Classification System
• Class 1: Explosives
• 1.1 Mass explosion hazard
• 1.2 Projection hazard
• 1.3 Predominately a fire hazard
• 1.4 No significant blast hazard
• 1.5 Very insensitive explosives;
blasting agents
• 1.6 Extremely insensitive detonating
substances
• Class 2: Gases
• 2.1 Flammable gas
• 2.2 Non-Flammable compressed gas
• 2.3 Poisonous gas
• Class 3: Flammable and Combustible
Liquids
49 CFR §173.2
• Class 4: Flammable Solids
• 4.1 Flammable solid
• 4.2 Spontaneously combustible
material
• 4.3 Dangerous when wet material
• Class 5: Oxidizing Agents & Organic
Peroxides
• 5.1 Oxidizer
• 5.2 Organic peroxide
• Class 6: Toxic & Infectious
Substances
• 6.1 Poisonous materials
• 6.2 Infectious substance (Etiologic
agent)
• Class 7: Radioactive Material
• Class 8: Corrosive Material
• Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous
Materials 6
 Class 1 - Explosives

1.1 Mass explosion hazard

(dynamite, TNT)
1.2 Projection hazard
(aerial flares, detonating cord)
1.3 Predominately a fire hazard
(liquid fueled rocket motors, propellant explosives)
1.4 No significant blast hazard
(practice ammunition, signal cartridges)
1.5 Very insensitive explosives; blasting agents
(pilled ammonium nitrate fertilizer-fuel oil mixtures)
1.6 Extremely insensitive detonating substances
(items with a negligible probability of accidental initiation or propagation)
Source: Defense Ammunition Center, April 2011.; NFPA 472, Jan 2013.
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8
 Class 2 - Gases
2.1 Flammable gases
(methyl chloride, propane)
2.2 Non-flammable compressed gases
(anhydrous ammonia, carbon dioxide, compressed
nitrogen)
2.3 Poisonous gases
(chlorine, arsine, methyl bromide)

Source: Defense Ammunition Center, April 2011.; NFPA 472, Jan 2013. 9
 Class 3 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Flammable - Flashpoint at
or below 60oC (140oF)
(acetone, gasoline)

Combustible – Flashpoint
above 60oC (140oF) and
below 93 °C (200 °F)
(No. 6 fuel oil, mineral oil)

Source: 49 CFR § 173.120; Defense Ammunition Center, April 2011.; NFPA 472, Jan 2013.
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 Class 4 – Flammable Solids

4.1 Flammable Solids

(magnesium pellets, nitrocellulose)
4.2 Spontaneously Combustible
(charcoal briquettes, phosphorous)
4.3 Dangerous When Wet
(magnesium powder, sodium hydride)

Source: Defense Ammunition Center, April 2011.; NFPA 472, Jan 2013.
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 Class 5 – Oxidizing Agents & Organic Peroxides

5.1 Oxidizers
(ammonium nitrate, calcium hypochlorite)
5.2 Organic Peroxides
(dibenzoyl peroxide, peroxyacetic acid)

Source: Defense Ammunition Center, April 2011.; NFPA 472, Jan 2013.
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 Class 6 – Toxic & Infectious Substances

6.1 Toxic or Poison

(arsenic compounds, carbon tetrachloride, tear gas)
6.2 Infectious Substance (Etiologic Agent)
(anthrax, botulism, rabies, tetanus)

Source: Defense Ammunition Center, April 2011.; NFPA 472 , Jan 2013.
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 Class 7 – Radioactive Materials

Examples
cobalt
uranium hexafluoride
“yellow cake”

Source: Defense Ammunition Center, April 2011.; NFPA 472, Jan 2013.
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 Class 8 – Corrosive Materials

Examples
Acids
(nitric acid, sulfuric acid, batteries)
Alkalis
(sodium hydroxide)

Source: Defense Ammunition Center, April 2011.; NFPA 472, Jan 2013.
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 Class 9 – Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials
A material which presents a hazard
during transportation but which
does not meet the definition of any
other hazard class, including:
Elevated Temperature Material
Hazardous Substance
Hazardous Waste
Marine Pollutant
Examples
Lithium batteries
Hot liquid asphalt
PCBs
Molten sulfur
49 CFR § 173.140 16
 Hazardous Materials Standards

•Packaging

Source: PHMSA, USDOT, July 2012.

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 Packaging

• In the HMR, “package” refers

to the packaging plus its
contents.
• Examples of packaging
– Fiberboard boxes
– Drums
– Portable tanks
– Cargo tanks
– Tank cars
– Cylinders
– Bags
– Wood boxes

Source: PHMSA, USDOT, July 2012.

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 General Package Requirements in the HMR

The hazmat packaging must be:

• Able to contain the material
• Compatible with the material
• Authorized for the material
• Closed securely
• Filled appropriately

http://www.megacheminc.com/un_packaging.htm

Source: Transportation Safety Institute, USDOT, Feb 2012.

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 Marking, Labeling, and Placarding

• Each hazmat package, freight container, and vehicle must

communicate hazard information as prescribed in the HMR.

Source: PHMSA, USDOT, July 2012.

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 General Marking Requirements

• Durable
• Written in English
• Printed on or affixed to the surface of the
package
• Displayed on a sharply contrasting color
background
• Unobscured by other labels or attachments
• Located away from other marking

Source: PHMSA, USDOT, July 2012. 21

 Marking Requirements for Non-Bulk Packaging

• Identification number
• Proper shipping name
• Technical name(s)
• Special permit information
• Consignee’s or consignor’s name and address
• Must be on both sides and both ends of the
package
• Must be visible, even after loaded on a rail car.

Source: PHMSA, USDOT, July 2012.

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 Marking Requirements for Bulk Packaging

• Identification numbers
• Size of markings
• Empty packagings
• Fumigant markings

Source: PHMSA, USDOT, July 2012.

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Source: PHMSA, USDOT, Chart 14.
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