Immediate notification of specific hazmat incidents

Coatings World, Dec, 2002 by Bill Rosenthal

Due to the increasing number of hazardous materials related incidents occurring with the movement of these commodities in commerce, special attention must be exercised to properly notify and report each incident at the earliest practicable moment possible.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has mandated specific provisions, which detail when a hazardous materials incident must be reported, as well as how to ensure that the incident is documented correctly.

It is extremely important to review these requirements to properly understand and implement the necessary notification and documentation requirements.

Notification Requirements

In accordance with DOT, Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR, Section 171.15, specific hazardous materials related incidents, which include loading, unloading and temporary storage, must be reported by the carrier when a person is killed; or a person received injuries requiring his or her hospitalization; or estimated carrier or other property damage exceeds $50,000. The requirement also applies when an evacuation of the general public occurs lasting one or more hours; or one or more major transportation arteries or facilities are closed or shut down for one hour or more; or the operational flight pattern or routine of an aircraft is altered. Additionally, reporting requirements will apply when fire, leakage, spillage or suspected radioactive/infectious substance (etiologic agent) contamination occurs involving shipment of radioactive/infectious substances; or there has been a release of a marine pollutant in a quantity exceeding 450 liters (119 gallons) for liquids or 400 kilograms (882 pounds) for solids; or a situation exists at the scene of the incident, that in the judgement of the carrier, should be reported to the National Response Center (NRC) even though it may not meet the specific criteria identified above.

Except for transportation by aircraft, the NRC must be notified by telephone at (800) 424-8802. Notification of aircraft related shipments must be given to the nearest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Civil Aviation Security Office by telephone as soon as practical after each incident. Notification involving etiologic agents must be given to the director, Center for Disease Control, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, GA at (800) 232-0124.

Each notification must include the name of reporter; name and address of carrier represented by the reporter; phone number where the reporter can be contacted; date, time and location of incident; the extent of injuries, if any; classification, name and quantity of hazardous materials involved, if such information is available; and the type of incident and nature of hazardous material involvement and whether a continuing danger to life exists at the scene.

Incident Documentation

Each carrier providing notification as identified above, must also file a report as required in 49, CFR, Section 171.16.

This involves the completion of a detailed hazardous materials incident report, in writing and in duplicate, on DOT form F 5800.1 to the DOT within 30 days of the date of discovery, for each incident that occurs in the course of transportation. It is important to review this specific section to ensure that all requirements are properly met.

It is strongly recommended that any time a hazardous materials incident is reported, a copy of the initial and any subsequent reports should be requested and maintained to document that the reporting process has properly taken place. This action will only serve to protect all parties involved in the notification system from further regulatory compliance actions.