Hazardous cargo is any goods that threaten health, safety, or the environment when shipped. Often referred to as hazmat, specific rules and regulations should be followed when transporting this type of freight. Alcohol, car batteries, ammunition, and paint are all examples of this type of shipment. This article will focus on the domestic transportation of hazmat. Due to the wide range of goods that can be considered hazmat, they are broken down into nine classifications. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) classifies them into nine classes depending on the products’ chemicals and physical properties.
Hazmat Classification
Before transporting cargo that may be considered hazardous, the shipper is responsible for classifying and packing the goods correctly. This is done by looking up a product’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS). A Safety Data Sheet is a document the manufacturer provides that details the product’s health and safety information. The SDS also provides an ID number, shipping name, and hazard class, which can be used to locate the correct entry on the Hazardous Material Table. This table groups dangerous goods into nine classes, including:
- Class 1: Explosives
- Class 2: Gases
- Class 3: Flammable and Combustible Liquids
- Class 4: Flammable Solids
- Class 5: Oxidizer and Organic Peroxides
- Class 6: Poison and Toxic Substances
- Class 7: Radioactive Materials
- Class 8: Corrosive Substances
- Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials
Individual class categories may separate into further divisions depending on the material. For example, class 6 includes divisions 6.1 (Toxic Substances) and 6.2 (Infectious Substances). Failure to properly label hazmat cargo can result in substantial fines reaching six figures. The severity of the mislabeling can also result in jail time. Misnaming can also put handlers of the freight in a dangerous scenario.
Transporting Hazmat
Compared to non-hazardous shipments, hazmat can have a distinct transportation process depending on the cargo. Before the journey begins, the DoT requires that the shipper has hazmat shipping training. Because of the time it may take, companies tend to outsource their shipping to a 3PL experienced in hazmat. Hazmat freight is also required to have specific packaging depending on the material. There are three hazmat packing groups to be aware of:
- Group 1: Great Danger
- Group 2: Medium Danger
- Group 3: Low Danger
For example, flammable liquids in packing group 1 require the inner packaging to be less than 0.5 liters. The DoT provides a Dangerous Goods Segregation Table for packaging. Hazmat packaging also requires correct labels and markings to transport them safely. Lastly, shipping papers with information like the packing group, hazard class, UN Identification Number, etc., are required. Once the hazmat cargo begins the journey, the carrier depends on the shipped goods. For example, flammable liquids may be transported in large tanker trucks with large cylindrical tanks attached.
This article introduces hazmat shipping, and you should speak to a freight broker or shipping agent when beginning. Contact A1 Freight Solutions at 786-375-9420 or info@a1fsinc.com for assistance with moving your cargo domestically. We also provide drayage, expedited, heavy haul, and other solutions for transporting your goods where they need to go.