Hazmat in plain terms
In the United States, a hazardous material (hazmat) is a substance or material that the Department of Transportation has determined can pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when it is transported. That includes obvious items such as fuels and industrial chemicals, and also many everyday products: paint, aerosols, perfume, adhesives, cleaning products, batteries, and even dry ice.
Hazmat vs. dangerous goods
These terms describe the same thing from different rulebooks. Hazmat is the term used in US regulations. Dangerous goods (DG) is the term used in the international rules for air (IATA, ICAO) and ocean (IMDG Code). A single shipment can be subject to more than one set of rules, depending on how it travels.
Who regulates it
- PHMSA (part of the US DOT) writes the Hazardous Materials Regulations, found in 49 CFR Parts 171 to 180.
- FAA, FMCSA, FRA and the US Coast Guard enforce the rules for air, highway, rail and water transport respectively.
- ICAO and IATA set the international rules for air transport.
- The IMO publishes the IMDG Code for ocean transport.
What shipping hazmat involves
- Classify the material: identify its hazard class, UN number, proper shipping name and packing group.
- Package it in packaging that is authorized for that material and quantity.
- Mark and label each package so handlers can see the hazards.
- Document the shipment with a shipping paper or dangerous goods declaration.
- Train the people who do any of the above.
- Provide emergency response information, including an emergency contact number where required.
Training is required
Anyone who prepares or signs for hazmat shipments must be trained. Under the US rules, hazmat employees must be trained within 90 days of starting the job function and receive recurrent training at least every three years. For air shipments, IATA requires recurrent training at least every 24 months.
Why it matters
Hazardous materials move through aircraft, ships, trucks and warehouses alongside people and other cargo. Correct classification, packaging and paperwork keep handlers and emergency responders informed and shipments moving without delay.