What happened
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance reported that inspectors in the United States and Canada conducted 5,046 inspections during an unannounced hazardous-materials and dangerous-goods enforcement initiative held June 8–12. Of those vehicles, 683 were placed out of service, a combined rate of 13.5%. The U.S. portion recorded 500 out-of-service vehicles among 4,122 inspections, while Canada recorded 183 among 924 inspections. A vehicle may not continue until every out-of-service condition is corrected.
What drivers should do
The results show that compliance is not only about the tank or package. Inspectors found 265 shipping-paper violations, including 57 that were out of service; 197 placard violations, including 55 out of service; 128 out-of-service cargo-securement violations; and 29 out-of-service package-integrity or leak violations. They also documented 47 hazmat-registration violations, eight safety-permit violations and 16 hazmat-endorsement violations. The initiative inspected more than 5,700 Class 1–9 packages, with flammable liquids and corrosives among the largest categories.
Why this matters to our community
Before dispatch, the driver and carrier should match the shipping description, UN or NA identification number, hazard class, packing group and quantity to the actual load. Confirm that required placards and markings are correct and visible, packages are intact, cargo is secured, emergency-response information and the emergency phone number are accessible, and the driver has the required CDL endorsement. Keep PHMSA registration and any required FMCSA hazmat safety permit current. Do not guess or alter a document at roadside; stop and contact the carrier’s trained hazmat contact when anything does not match. Useful English terms include shipping papers, placard, marking, hazardous materials endorsement, emergency response information, package integrity, cargo securement, undeclared material and out of service.