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