Recognizing Our HAZMAT Drivers - Our Unsung Road Heroes

Each year millions of tons of hazardous materials are transported throughout the country on interstates, state highways, rural roads, etc. Think about it, when commuting to and from different destinations, you more than likely notice some type of hazardous material. While these materials are essential; they are also very dangerous, and someone must deliver these dangerous necessities to their destination. The drivers who transport these hazardous chemicals daily are by far the unsung road heroes.

Every day these unsung HEROES navigate the roadways in various conditions with little to no incidents and should be recognized for making this major task as flawless as possible.

Considering the number of serious incidents and the miles driven, the probability of these drivers having an event is relatively low, and that’s a direct result of the driver’s attention to detail and situational awareness. The U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration estimates that there are more than 800,000 hazmat shipments every day and more than 3.1 billion tons are transported each year. However, these encounters go seamlessly with hardly any events.

Operating heavy equipment on the roadway is a considerable risk; however, that exposure is compounded when the driver is transporting hazardous materials. Just to be clear, the definition of Hazardous Material means a substance or material, which has been determined to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce [49 CFR §171.8] there are several managing agencies that I will elaborate on in the article.

"Our hazardous materials drivers are the unsung road heroes who ensure the safe transport of dangerous necessities, and they deserve recognition for their attention to detail and situational awareness"

Transporting hazardous materials is no easy task however regulations are in place and intended to protect the driver, those around you, and the environment. These unsung HEROS are equipped with specific guidance on how to package the materials safely as well as how to load, transport and unload the materials.

Nevertheless, spilt chemicals, especially in bulk, can quickly create dangerous concentration levels that can either overcome the driver and create dangerous situations for first responders or cause a flammable atmosphere. Hazmat drivers are the only drivers that have dual roles as a driver and first responders. Spilt chemicals on a public roadway can also lead to expensive cleanups and traffic delays, which is never good for the company in terms of reputation because no one wants to be on the evening news in a negative way. Therefore, these drivers have a different set of rules and qualifications to become Hazmat endorsed. However, in my opinion, these guys are elite.

No other material being transported gets attention from regulatory authorities as a hazmat incident as each incident requires engagement with multiple agencies. These agencies utilize different terminology when dealing with hazardous materials storage and use. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) both refer to hazardous materials as “hazardous substances.” The EPA also regulates chemicals that no longer have commercial value. When chemicals are no longer useful for the purpose they were intended for, they become hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is regulated in the workplaces where it is generated, during transportation to a disposal site, and when it is disposed of. Now, why is this worth mentioning? It is worth mentioning because a HAZMAT driver must be prepared to understand and interact with the following agencies.

Therefore, let’s take a simple commodity that we see and utilize every day, Gasoline placard 1203.

Gasoline placard 1203, when transported, is a hazardous material regulated by DOT.

When a gasoline tanker offloads gasoline into an underground storage tank at a gasoline station, it becomes a hazardous substance regulated by OSHA and EPA.

If some of the gasoline is spilled on the ground during the offloading, it then becomes a

hazardous waste, regulated by OSHA, EPA, and DOT.

Three different names for the same gasoline, depending on whether it was transported, in fixed storage, or spilt.

So, the next time you see a hazmat driver in a truck, stop and offer to buy his or her lunch. These drivers lay it on the line every day ensuring that we have our gasoline, diesel, and many other chemicals readily available.