HAZMAT- Hazardous Materials

HAZMAT is the short form for “hazardous materials”. Such substances in quantities or forms may cause a potential risk to healthiness, property, or the natural environment. HAZMAT includes substances like harmful chemicals, fuels, nuclear waste products, and chemical, biological, and radiological agents.

Dangerous goods are also called as hazardous materials or hazmat. These substances or materials may cause a risk to safety, health, property, or the environment. Such materials are stored, handled or transported as they contain pressurized, flammable, corrosive, or otherwise toxic materials.

Supervisory Body of the HAZMAT in the United States

The US Postal Service (USPS) is the controller of the transportation of substances that are dispatched to, from, or within the US. The USPS rules and policies are found in 39 CFR.

These requirements are called the Hazardous Materials Regulation. These can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 49 CFR Parts 100-185.

HAZMAT Suit

The United States Department of Homeland Security has defined a hazmat suit. It defines it as an entire garment worn to safeguard people from hazardous materials or substances such as chemicals, biological agents, or radioactive materials. More normally, hazmat suits may give safety from chemical agents.

Aircraft, Vessel, and Highway modes are used to transport HAZMAT.

DD Form 626

DD Form 626 is the Motor Vehicle Inspection (Transporting Hazardous Materials) Figure J-6 form. It will be used for the inspection of the commercial and government vehicles hauling placarded quantities of HAZMAT on public highways.

This form applies to all vehicles which must be marked under Title 49 CFR. Before filling this form, a person is required to read all the instructions.

Topics Included in HAZMAT Familiarization

Vehicle Inspection.
Hazardous Materials.
Material Safety Data Sheet.
JHCS Data Sheet.
HAZMAT Table, Communication, and Security.
Emergency Response Guidebook.

Anyone who works with HAZMAT is called as a HAZMAT employee. A person must renew his HAZMAT certificate every three years from the date on his last certification.

The requirement of a DD Form 626 Inspection

The driver must provide a Hazmat endorsement and Commercial Driver’s License to pass a DD Form 626 inspection.

NOT a Prerequisite to Pass a DD Form 626 Inspection

The description of the type of HAZMAT loaded onto the vehicle is NOT a requirement to pass a DD Form 626 inspection.

Civil or criminal penalties depending on the level of damage to health or property can result from not following HAZMAT rules.

Philip O'Connor

A legal professional by education, and a stickler for rules, Philip brings rules and regulations within check for our website. He portrays the legal pitfalls, court injustices, as well as the status for high power criminal proceedings that are making waves across the globe. He also delves into human rights violations and all regulatory policies that affect the daily life of citizens of the nation.