| The term hazmat refers to hazardous | | | | Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety |
| materials. These materials are toxic | | | | Administration also known as PHMSA along |
| chemicals that can cause harm to humans and | | | | with your training you will be required to |
| the environment. Such materials are strictly | | | | pass a rigorous background check. |
| regulated by Government Transportation | | | | |
| offices such as the Department of | | | | Laws and regulations on use and handling may |
| Transportation. | | | | be different depending on the activity and |
| | | | status of the materials. For example one set |
| Some hazardous materials will require the use | | | | of requirements may apply to use in work |
| of special permits and approvals before being | | | | safety while different requirements may apply |
| transported. A special permit or approval is | | | | to a spill response or retailing products to |
| a document which authorizes a person to | | | | consumers and transportation. Many countries |
| perform a function that is currently not | | | | have regulations in place for most aspects of |
| authorized under the authority of the | | | | hazmat. |
| Hazardous Materials Regulations or HMR. | | | | |
| | | | In todays ever evolving workplace environment |
| When transporting these materials Hazmat | | | | and with the increasing threat of terrorist |
| signs or placards are used and usually | | | | activity the demand for HAZMAT specialists is |
| pertain to vehicle restrictions through | | | | increasing. Working in this field can be |
| tunnels or heavily populated areas where a | | | | exciting and rewarding as the pay is great |
| related incident or spill would have | | | | but handling hazardous materials also has a |
| tremendous negative effects to the immediate | | | | certain degree of danger as well. |
| surroundings. Shields and road signs are also | | | | |
| now in place for hazmat preferred routes and | | | | Hazmat personnel must first become endorsed |
| banned routes. | | | | by completing a training session that meets |
| | | | OSHA, EPA or DOT requirements and standards. |
| When being exposed to and handling dangerous | | | | EPA, DOT, and OSHA Federal regulations |
| materials protective clothing must be worn. A | | | | require training for all employees who will |
| Hazmat suit is a worn to cover the body | | | | be handling, transporting, preparing for |
| completely to provide protection from these | | | | shipment or even preparing paperwork of |
| materials such as chemical biological or | | | | hazardous materials. |
| radioactive materials. Only qualified hazmat | | | | |
| personnel are authorized to handle or | | | | Many new amendments to existing Hazmat |
| transport these materials. | | | | Regulations have been added since the |
| | | | introduction of the Patriot Act for |
| To become endorsed to handle or transport | | | | conducting security threat assessments on |
| hazardous materials you must first complete a | | | | drivers who transport hazardous materials to |
| qualified instructional course such as that | | | | undergo a security threat assessment prior to |
| provided by The Department of Transportations | | | | the issuance of the endorsement. |