Transporting hazardous materials across the country isn’t easy − that’s why there’s a host of regulations in place

• They’re just one visible part of a web of regulations that aim to keep workers and the environment safe while shipping hazardous waste.
• Transporting hazardous materials such as dangerous gases, poisons, harmful chemicals, corrosives and radioactive material across the country is risky.
• But because approximately 3 billion pounds of hazardous material needs to go from place to place in the U.S. each year, it’s unavoidable.
• With all the material that needs to cross the country, hazardous material spills from both truck and rail transportation are relatively unavoidable.

Who regulates hazardous material?

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulates the proper handling of hazardous materials where they’re either manufactured or used.
• The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulates the transportation of hazardous materials by truck, rail, pipeline and ship.
• In the air, the Federal Aviation Administration regulates hazardous materials.

Key regulations

• Two essential regulations govern the handling and transportation of hazardous materials.
• In 1975, the EPA published the Hazardous Material Transportation Act, which protects people and property from hazardous material transportation risks.
• The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration oversees hazardous materials regulations that apply to everything from packaging and labeling to loading and unloading procedures.

• Trucking companies transporting hazardous materials need to use specific vehicles and qualified drivers to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.
• The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s and the Federal Railroad Administration’s regulations for rail shipments require that rail cars fit physical and structural specifications.
• Both truck and rail companies must follow regulations that require the proper classification, packaging and labeling of hazardous materials.
• The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s security regulations prevent theft or sabotage of hazardous materials.

Michael F. Gorman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.