General Awareness and Familiarization Training
Jan 18, 2016
What is a hazardous material?
Hazardous materials are substances or
materials that can burn, explode, react
violently or cause injury or harm to
people, property or the environment
when transported in commerce.
Who develops, issues and governs over the transportation of
hazardous materials?
United States
Department of Transportation
(US DOT)
Where do the US DOT’s regulations govern the commerce of hazardous
materials?
The agency oversees the transportation and commerce of hazardous materials either:
• Interstate• Intrastate• Foreign commerce
What is the primary goal of the US DOT?
The primary goal of the US
DOT is to reduce the risks
posed by the transportation of
hazardous materials.
The hazmat regulations set forth standards including:
• Classification
• Packaging
• Hazard communication
• Emergency response
• Training of hazmat employees
• Transportation
• Incident reporting
Hazmat employees are required to have the following training:
• General Awareness / Familiarization Training
• Function Specific Training
• Safety Training
• Security Awareness Training
• In-Depth Security Training (where required)
General Awareness/Familiarization
Training Consists of:• Hazard classification
• Packaging, markings, labels and placards
• Shipping papers (also referred to as a manifest)
• Loading, unloading and securement
• Emergency response
• Incident reporting requirements
Classification of Hazardous Materials are
as follows:• Class 1 - Explosives
• Class 2 - Gases
• Class 3 - Flammable & combustible liquid
• Class 4 - Flammable solid, spontaneously combustible and dangerous when wet
• Class 5 - Oxidizer and organic peroxides
• Class 6 - Poison (toxic) and poison inhalation hazard. Class 6, Division 2 (6.2) Infectious Substances
Regulated medical waste
• Class 7 - Radioactive materials
• Class 8 - Corrosive materials
• Class 9 - Miscellaneous & Dangerous
What hazard class and division is regulated medical waste in?
• 6 - Poison (toxic) and poison inhalation hazards
6.2 Infectious Substances
Regulated medical waste
What are the packing groups and what danger do they pose?
• I - Great Danger
• II - Medium Danger
• III - Minor Danger
Regulated medical waste is in packing group II, so it poses a
medium danger
There are two types of packaging for regulated medical waste:
Non bulk packaging
• Medical waste cardboard boxes or reusable tubs
Bulk packaging: examples are as follows:
• Large tubs in excess of 119 gallons
• Medical waste roll off containers
What is an ORM-D?
ORM-D (Other Regulated Materials)
are materials that present a limited
hazard during transportation.
Consumer commodities typically fall
into this category, such as nail polish,
hair spray, etc.
Who is responsible for packaging regulated medical waste?
• The shipper is responsible for properly
packaging the regulated medical waste.
• Typically the regulated medical waste
transporter will confirm the waste is
properly packaged when the waste is
picked up for shipment.
What are typical markings on regulated medical waste packaging?
• Biohazard symbol Acceptable in place of infectious
substance label as defined in 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)
• UN 3291 (identification number)
• Consignee or consignor information
• A staffed emergency number
In what ways are hazards communicated to other waste handlers?
• Color
• Symbols
• Text
• Hazard class number or division number
What information belongs on the shipping papers?
• Proper shipping name (regulated medical waste)
• Hazard class or division
• Identification numbers
• Packing group
Regulated medical waste, n.o.s., 6.2, UN3291, PG II
What else should be on shipping papers?
• A phone number for a staffed emergency response station
• Quantity by: Volume Weight Volume or other unit of measure
• DOT-E (if you are transporting under an exemption).
more
• The generator must certify the load being shipped by signing the shipping papers. This is a certification of the contents
being shipped. The person signing the shipping papers
should be trained properly and be able to make the certification of the contents being shipped.
• THE SHIPPER MUST SIGN THE SHIPPING PAPERS.
continued
Regulated medical waste should be loaded very carefully.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Make sure all regulated medical waste is properly packaged.
• Properly complete the shipping papers. Get a specific count of the containers. The shipper has to certify the load.
• Any leaking packages will be rejected and need to be repacked.
Regulated medical waste must be secured for shipment.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Make sure all regulated medical waste is properly packaged.
• Secure the waste to avoid shifting or falling. Utilize load bars. Properly stack the containers.
• Always double check the container count and shipping papers.
Emergency Response Information
Identify your emergency response information and numbers
• Transporters/Disposal Sites/Local Environmental Officials
Locally
• 911
US DOT National Response Center
• 1.800.424.8802
Certain Incidents Require Immediate Notification to US DOT
Any HAZMAT Accidents/Incidents resulting in the following require notification:
• Resulting in death or injury requiring hospitalization.
• Resulting greater than $50,000 in damage.
• Resulting an evacuation of the general public for more than one hour.
• Resulting in a major facility transportation shut down or a major artery shut down.
• Resulting in a change in an operational flight plan.
Infectious Substances should be reported to:
• National Response Center 800.424.8802.
• Centers for Disease Control 800.232.0124.
• A written report is required within 30 days.