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