Objective: To reduce the frequency of hazardous materials loading and unloading incidents by providing appropriate, sufficient, and well-maintained loading/unloading equipment.

Description: Hazardous materials loading and unloading incidents may occur when improper or inadequate equipment is used. Loading/unloading equipment must be suitable for both the hazardous material and the container in order to ensure the safety of Hazmat employees and the package.

Questions for Management:

1. What is the company policy regarding who is responsible for loading and unloading hazardous materials?
2. Are pipes marked to indicate their function?
3. Are bulkheads, shear fittings, and emergency shutoff valves used in order to minimize?
4. the impact of a pullaway hazardous materials incident?
5. Are manually operated filling valves of the spring-loaded, self-closing type?
6. Are loading pumps fined with emergency shutoff switches?

Tips for Management:

• Enforce correct connecting procedures.
• Color code pipes for easy identification.
• Provide tools and equipment which do not damage packaging.
• Consider use of Denver boot or lockable chock during certain loading/unloading procedures.

Tips for Hazmat Employees:

Use dust caps on hoses when they are not in use.

References: 49 CFR Parts: 177 Subpart B. A11, C11, C12, G1, G2, G4, G7.

VEHICLE EQUIPMENT E2

COUNTERMEASURE

Objective: To reduce the frequency of hazardous materials incidents by using suitable vehicle equipment.

Description: Vehicles that are improperly equipped to handle and transport hazardous materials may contribute to the frequency or magnitude of Hazmat incidents. By ensuring that fleet vehicles are fitted with appropriate equipment, the number of these incidents may be reduced.

Questions for Management:

1. Do fleet vehicles carry spare light bulbs, flares, triangle reflectors, personal protection equipment and wheel chocks?
2. Are fleet vehicles provided with functional spare tires and wheels where appropriate?
3. Would anti-lock brake systems benefit your operation?

Tips for Management:

• Consider adopting new vehicle-equipment technologies.
• Provide non-sparking tools and other specialized equipment where appropriate.

Tips for Drivers:

In the event of brake dysfunction or other equipment failure, do not use vehicle.

References: 49 CFR Parts: 178; 397.

B12, C10, G1, G2, B1, B5, T3.

VEHICLE SAFETY EQUIPMENT E3

COUNTERMEASURE

Objective: To provide vehicle safety equipment for responding to minor hazardous materials incidents and to improve transportation safety in general.

Description: In the event of a hazardous materials incident, vehicles equipped with the proper safety equipment offer better protection to the driver, other Hazmat employees, the public and the environment. In many cases, having the proper equipment can even prevent these incidents.

Questions for Management:

1. Is vehicle safety equipment adequate and suitable for the hazardous material being carried?
2. Are vehicles equipped with suitable and easily accessible fire extinguishers (interior and exterior)?
3. Are all vehicles equipped with seat belts and are drivers instructed to use them?
4. Are three reflective markers (with stands) provided for each vehicle?

Tips for Management:

• Require an inventory check of required safety equipment at regular intervals.

Tips for Hazmat Employees:

• Have emergency phone numbers of contact people readily available at all times.
• Pre-trip inspections should include roadside emergency equipment.
• Inspect 4-way flasher operations.
• Do not bypass interlocks.

References: 49 CFR Parts: 393.95; 397.

B12, C1, C2, G1, G2, B1, B5.

PACKAGING EQUIPMENT E4

COUNTERMEASURE

Objective: To promote the safe transportation of hazardous materials by inspecting packaging for integrity and compliance with regulations.

Description: Packaging which is defective or inappropriate may result in a hazardous materials incident that can be both costly and dangerous both to people and to the environment. Shippers must ensure that correct packaging and containers are utilized and maintained.

Questions for Management:

1. Is there a quality assurance program in operation that monitors packaging procedures for compliance with company policy and federal regulations?

Tips for Management:

• Be sure that repaired packages and containers are properly tested before reuse.
• Avoid use of improperly repaired packages.

Tips for Hazmat Employees:

• Verify the use of authorized packaging and procedures through spot checks.
• Do not accept a leaking or otherwise defective package.

References: 49 CFR Parts: 173.1; 178. G3, G5, G9.

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT E5

COUNTERMEASURE

Objective: To ensure that personnel have adequate protective equipment available in order to safeguard themselves against hazardous materials incidents.

Description: Protecting people is the highest priority in the event of a hazardous materials incident. Without proper protective equipment, Hazmat employees at the scene cannot be expected to effectively respond to a hazardous materials incident. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the employer to provide the necessary personal protection equipment for its Hazmat employees.

Questions for Management

1. Is proper protective gear and clothing provided to Hazmat employees?
2. Is protective gear and clothing suitable for the hazardous materials being transported?

Tips for Management:

• Regularly review how to use personal protective equipment with Hazmat employees.

Tips for Hazmat Employees:

• If the properties of the cargo are known, use the proper protection immediately; otherwise, assume the worst case & use the protective gear and clothing appropriate for that case.

References: 49 CFR Parts: 172.704 B12, C2, B5, T1.