Tips To Keep In Mind If You Want To Start Shipping Hazardous Materials
Posted on: 23 November 2020
Are you in the shipping business and looking to expand? Perhaps you own your own business and would like to start doing your own shipping in-house. If part of this expansion will include shipping products or materials that are considered to be hazardous, it's a good idea to take a step back for a moment and make sure you are prepared for what's to come. The Department of Transportation has specific rules and requirements when it comes to shipping hazardous materials, commonly referred to as "hazmat." Make sure you stay on the right side of the law by keeping these tips in mind.
You May Need Official Certification
If your company wants to start transporting hazmat items on a regular basis, you need to make sure you are cleared or certified to do so. The rules and regulations may differ based on which industry you are in and which specific items you will be shipping. For best results, reach out to a local program that offers DOT hazmat shipper training. Such an educational program will ensure that you stay on the right side of the law at all times. You don't want to risk getting your business fined or shut down by moving ahead with a plan to ship hazmat items until you are sure you are completely prepared to do so.
Some Hazmat Products Are Obvious, But Others Are Not
When it comes to hazmat items or products, some might be immediately obvious, like anything that would be considered easily flammable, or perhaps a harsh chemical that could do damage to the local water supply if it were to spill in the wrong place. Other hazmat items, though, are not as immediately obvious. For example, did you know that some street signs, like a stop sign, could be considered hazardous because the sign might be made with a certain percentage of mercury? Look over the list of items you are looking into creating or shipping and cross-reference your list with a government-provided list of hazardous materials.
Make Sure You Invest in the Right Safety Gear and Storage Capabilities
Getting certified or cleared to transport hazmat items Is only the first step. You then need to make sure that your employees will remain safe with the right safety gear while handling such materials and that you have the right storage capabilities to properly secure these items on your trucks or transportation vehicle of choice while the items are in transport
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