Rule Summary
Starting on October 1, 2010 the Department of Transportation will begin enforcing a revised Hazardous Materials transportation rule. This rule amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations to clarify requirements for using a third-party 24 hour emergency number. In order for the emergency response operator to be able to link the materials you are shipping to your MSDSs and other emergency response information, the DOT is requiring that identifying information for your facility is listed on the shipping papers.
What you need to do
For most facilities, compliance with the new rule will be fairly straight forward. KPA recommends you take both of the steps below to ensure your materials are easily identified in case of an accident. However, to be in compliance you should ensure at least one of the following is listed in close proximity to the 24 hour emergency number:
- Your facility name is clearly identified on the shipping papers.
- Your 24 hour emergency number provider account number is printed on the shipping papers.
For example, to ensure the highest level of compliance, if your facility name is not listed elsewhere, you should list the following in the description section of the shipping paper:
Your Facility Name, 24 hour number, Acct#
If you have additional questions on this regulatory change or DOT hazmat regulations in general, talk with your current DOT hazmat provider to understand the upcoming changes in regulation.
For additional information, here is an electronic version of the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook.
By Peter Zaidel and Wendy Hudson
Thirty percent of traumatic fatalities occur from employees driving on the job. If you ever talk on your cell phone while driving, follow too closely behind the vehicle in front of you, or forget to wear your seat belt, you put your life and the lives of others at risk. Just putting your ringer on silent or turning your phone off all together can greatly reduce your chances of getting in an accident.
