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Given the injurious effects hazardous substances have on those exposed to them, it is essential to recognize the importance of transporting these materials safely. Materials of greater levels of toxicity are handled with greater care relative to those that are less toxic.
Introduction
At Go Hazmat Hub, our hazmat certification enables us to focus on the three core regulations designed for the safe handling of hazardous materials. They apply to all modes of transport, such as air, road, sea, and rail transport.
- Ensure that the hazardous materials are packaged in a way that makes them safe for the environment and those around it while being transported safely.
- Maintain effective communication amongst the transportation staff to safely move the hazardous materials.
- Ensure that the emergency staff is well trained and always ready to intervene in any mishaps or emergencies.
Hence, with a hazmat certification, one may guarantee a foolproof risk management system that works to take important prevention measures. Although our motive is to reduce the probability of any unfortunate events from occurring to a great extent, we also cater to the consequences of such ill events, when required in transporting hazardous materials.
Related: The 5 Vital Components of Preparing Your Business for a Natural Disaster
Risks of Unsecure Management of Hazardous Substances
Numerous risks are associated with the mismanagement of hazardous substances. They could result in personal injury or environmental pollution. In some cases, such as crude oil transportation via the sea route, there may be leaks or spills, which result in a lot of damage to marine life.
An example of this case is the Amaco Cadiz Oil Spill in 1978 where a VLCC (very large crude carrier) carrying around 69 gallons of crude oil went through an oil leak and polluted about 200 miles of the French coast. Millions of sea creatures were killed and the seabed was contaminated.
It is, therefore, immensely important to transport hazardous materials (hazmat) securely to prevent such a large-scale spread of toxic chemicals. Spills of crude oil and natural gas are not just toxic but also fatal. They contain over 3 billion tons of hazardous chemicals, such as anhydrous ammonia, ethylene oxide, sulfur dioxide, and chlorine.
Other goods, which are explosive, corrosive, flammable, toxic, or radioactive, are preferably transported via railroads to ensure a safe and secured transport under the hazmat certification. These materials are not just dangerous in themselves but they also pose a risk to people and the environment.
In case of spillage or other accidents concerning these dangerous goods being transported in vehicles, there is always a possibility of fire, chemical burns, erosion of land, or environmental pollution.
Classification of Transport of Hazardous Substances
The transportation of goods is classified according to the risk they may pose during transportation. In adherence to our hazmat certification, we put clear labels on the dangerous goods concerning their degree of risk and how they are classified. Hazardous substances are classified according to:
- Toxicity
- Oxidizing power
- Radioactivity
- Corrosiveness
- Explosiveness
- Infectiousness
- Flammability of liquids
- Flammability of solids
- Miscellaneous poisonous substances
In addition to securing labels, we also ensure an even weight distribution and a proper warning sign posted on the vehicle of transport. While the most common mode of transport is by road, it is imperative to choose an appropriate mode of transport and the amount of substance transported accordingly. Based on the classification of the goods being transported, they are loaded and unloaded in a specific manner to not cause any spills or leaks.
Conclusion
Millions of tons of hazardous substances need to be moved and transported safely using different types of transport services, including trains, trucks, planes, and ships.
Even after all the measures are taken for the safe transport of hazardous materials under the hazmat certification, accidents may still occur. Some of these inevitable accidents may be a cause of a mechanical failure while others may be due to an operational error.
With the hazmat certification under our belt, the rate of rail/road accidents is significantly decreasing each year. Additionally, with the hazmat certified first respondents’ team better equipped now more than ever, any tragic incidents are controlled at their earliest, preventing greater catastrophes.