Everything You Need to Know About Hazmat Shipping
Hazardous goods (also known as Hazmat for short) are goods that, by law, require special certificates and additional information to be shipped. Freight shipping hazardous materials is a great responsibility. From labeling to packaging, there are a lot of different factors that need to be addressed. Failing to comply with the requirements can have severe consequences from the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Hazmat shipping can get tricky, but we’re here to help. Here are a few things we think everyone needs to know before shipping these types of materials.
What are considered hazardous materials?
There are plenty of commodities that are considered hazardous. Some are obvious, such as various chemicals, while others are a bit murkier at first glance. Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $140,000 fine against a major retailer due to improper shipping-paper declarations for the hazardous materials in their 3 oz bottles of nail color and 5 oz containers of sunblock; the nail color should have been classified as a flammable liquid, and the sunblock a combustible gas. And a leading pharmaceutical distribution company received a $91,000 fine because they made an undeclared shipment of skin care products containing alcohol.
According to the DOT, hazardous materials are divided up into nine classes. Those classes are as follows:
Class 1 - Explosives
Class 2 - Gases
Class 3 - Flammable Liquid
Class 4 - Flammable Solid
Class 5 - Oxidizing Substances
Class 6 - Poisonous and Infectious Substances
Class 7 - Radioactive Materials
Class 8 - Corrosives
Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
Fireworks are an example of hazardous materials that are commonly shipped, especially around the New Year and the 4th of July. It may seem obvious to some, but others may be surprised that you cannot toss a crate of fireworks on a truck and ship them the same way you freight ship other typical goods. Fireworks are a class 3 and class 4 material heavily regulated in terms of freight shipping.
A shipper’s responsibilities
When it comes to hazardous shipping materials, there are specific actions the shipper will be responsible for completing. This includes determining whether the shipment is hazmat, as well as fulfilling the responsibilities associated with the following:
Incident reporting
Security planning
Placarding
Bracing and blocking
Compatibility
Certification
Emergency response information
Telephone number
Shipping documentation
Training,
Correct marking
Proper packaging
Hazard warning label
Identification number
Class/division
Proper shipping name
Common hazmat shipping mistakes
Many stumbling blocks can trip up companies when shipping dangerous goods. Some of the most frequent mistakes include a failure to:
Understand the regulations related to variation packaging and the corresponding:
Ship the package as it was tested.
Use a leakproof bag for hazardous liquids.
Use enough cushioning or absorbent material.
Pressure-test primary or secondary packaging when liquid material is involved.
Close the container with the proper torque or follow closing instructions.
Make complete declarations on shipping papers.
Train employees (and keep training certifications current).
How well a company is prepared to avoid making mistakes depends on understanding the regulatory environment and the integrity of its internal processes and controls.
How Sparrow can help
We've got you covered if you need a certified driver to transport your hazardous materials or liquids! Sparrow connects our clients to qualified drivers who are Hazmat and Tanker Endorsed. However, we typically aim to transport liquids in IBC totes, not bulk liquid shipping.
Sparrow Standard certified
Carriers that partner with Sparrow Logistics are held to a high standard to haul for our clients. We strongly believe that having a relationship with dedicated carriers who are professional and committed to their trade allows our team to go the extra mile. Therefore, we personally “vet” our carriers and speak to every driver before picking up one of our loads to ensure they have every permit and certification to do the job right.
Since we are a small business, we understand how vital it is to find someone you trust who can help you accomplish your goals. We build a mutually beneficial relationship to ensure parties are transparent and ethical because we care about doing the right thing for all involved.
Hitting the road with Sparrow
Let us know what you need, and we’ll take care of the rest! We are a brokerage that you can always count on. You can trust that we’ll give you straight answers backed with experience and do everything in our power to help you when needed. Ready to partner together? Contact us today!