This document provides an overview of a training course on the U.S. DOT hazardous materials regulations contained in 49 CFR. The training course objectives are to review the 49 CFR regulations and provide recurrent training as required. It discusses how the regulations aim to prevent accidents and ensure awareness of material hazards. It also outlines the key parts of 49 CFR, classification of materials, packaging standards, shipping paper requirements, placarding vehicles, and enforcement/penalties.

1. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 1
SHIPPING HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
A Training Course in 49CFR
Updated 6/99
Prokopis A. Christou, P.E.
pcjr101@yahoo.com
www.hazmat101.com

2. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 2
Course Objectives
 Provides a review of U.S. DOT Hazardous
Materials Regulations
 Forms part of recurrent training as
required by 49CFR

3. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 3
Hazardous Materials Regulations
Hazardous materials are regulated in order
to:
– Prevent accidents, leaks and spills
– Help emergency responders
– Ensure that HAZMAT employees are aware
of the hazards of materials they handle

4. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 4
What Are Hazardous Materials?
“HAZARDOUS MATERIALS are any
substances or materials, including
environmentally hazardous substances,
which have been determined to be
capable of posing an unreasonable risk to
health, safety or property when
transported in commerce, and have been
so designated.” (171.8)

5. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 5
Laws Affect Transportation of
Hazardous Materials
Regulations
 US DOT Reg. 49 CFR ..........................All modes within the USA
 ICAO Technical Instructions ................International air transport
 IATA Dangerous Goods Reg................ Commercial air transport
 IMDG Code ..........................................International sea transport
 TDG Regulations Regulations .............Shipments to/from Canada
 Mexican DOT Regs. ........................... Shipments to/from Mexico

6. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 6
The Hazardous Materials Regs
The HMR of the Federal Hazardous Materials
Transportation LAW (49 CFR) apply to:
– Responsibilities for offering and accepting shipments
– Classification of hazardous materials
– Packaging standards
– Shipping papers
– Labels, marks and placards
– Emergency response requirements
– Training requirements
– Registration
– Segregation and modal requirements

7. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 7
Penalties
 Civil Penalties
– Maximum fines up to $25,000 per day per
violation. Updated for inflation
 Criminal Penalties
– Fines up to $500,000 per day per violation
– Up to five years in prison
 Injunctive Action
– Shipments stopped or seized

8. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 8
Enforcement Authorities
 Research & Special Programs Admin.
(RSPA)
 Federal Highway Administrations (FHA)
 State DOT /State police
 Federal Railway Administration (FRA)
 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
 U.S. Coast Guard

9. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 9
Numbering Sections in 49 CFR
172. 500 (b) (1)
Part SectionParagraph Subparagraph

10. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 10
Structure of HMR
– Part 171 Definitions
– Part 172 - Hazard Communication
– Part 172.101 - Hazardous Materials Table
– Part 173 - Classification and Packaging
– Part 174, 175, 176 & 177 - Modal Variations
– Part 178 - Standards for Non-Bulk Packaging
– Part 179 - Standards for Bulk Packaging (tank
cars)
– Part 180 - Continuing qualification/maint.

11. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 11
Administrative Requirements
 Registration for certain shippers and
transporters
 Training of HAZMAT employees

12. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 12
Training Requirements [172.704]
 Train all HAZMAT employees to:
– Understand the regulations
– Recognize and identify hazardous materials
– Know reg. requirements that apply to his/her job
– Be aware of relevant emergency response info.
 Types of Training: General awareness, function
specific, safety
 Safety/OSHA/EPA training
 Driver training (CDL)

13. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 13
Administrative Requirements
The HAZMAT employer must
– Train & test employees
– Certify & keep records
Training Compliance Dates
– New employee - 90 days
– Job function changed - 90 days
– Update every 3 years

14. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 14
Six Steps to Compliance
1. Classification - obtain shipping
description
2. Packaging - selection and assembly
3. Marking of packages
4. Labeling of packages
5. Shipping papers & emergency response
info
6. Placarding & marking of vehicles
For NJ-review Steps 1, 5 and 6

15. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 15
Step 1 of the Six Step Procedure
 Obtain shipping description (172.202)
 SHIP--The Basic Shipping Description
consists of:
– The Shipping Name
– The Hazard Classification
– The Identification Number (UN or NA)
– The Packing Group

16. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 16
HM Table

17. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 17
Packing Groups
 Packing Group I - Great danger
 Packing Group II - Moderate danger
 Packing Group III - Mild danger

18. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 18
Hazard Classes/Divisions
 Class 1 - Explosives (173.50)
 Class 2 - Compressed gasses (173.115)
 Class 3 - Flammable liquids (173.120)
 Class 4 - Flammable solids (173.240)
 Class 5 - Oxidizers and organic Peroxides (173.127 & 128)
 Class 6 - Poisonous and infectious materials (173.132 & 134)
 Class 7 - Radioactives (173.403)
 Class 8 - Corrosive materials (173.136)
 Class 9 - Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials (173.140)
 ORM - Other Regulated Material (173.144)
 Elevated Temperature (171.8)

19. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 19
Multiple Hazards
 Some materials may have more than one
hazard
 The first one is called the primary hazard
 Other hazards are called subsidiary
hazards
 How do you determine primary hazard
– Precedence of Hazard Table (173.2a(b))
– HM Table

20. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 20
Hazardous Substances
“Hazardous substances” are materials that:
 Are listed in Appendix A to Section
172.101; AND
 Are in a quantity in one package that
equals or exceeds the listed Reportable
Quantity (RQ)
Example?

21. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 21
Marine Pollutants
 “Marine pollutants” are defined as
materials which:
 Are listed in Appendix B to Table 172.101;
AND
 Are packaged in a concentration greater
than 10% for marine pollutant or 1% for
severe marine pollutants

22. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 22
Using the HM Table (172.101)
 Shipping names
 Hazard classes
 Identification numbers
 Labeling requirements
 Special provisions
 Package specifications

23. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 23
Shipping Name Procedures (I)
 Chemicals listed by name
 Chemicals not listed by name
– Generic names based on hazard
– Generic names based on chemical family
– Generic names based on usage
– Technical name rule for generic names
(172.203(k)(3))

24. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 24
Shipping Name Procedures (II)
Hazardous Substances and Marine
Pollutants, not meeting the definition of a
DOT hazard class
– Environmentally hazardous substance,
liquid, n.o.s.
– Environmentally hazardous substance, solid,
n.o.s.
– Other regulated substance, liquid, n.o.s
– Other regulated substance, solid, n.o.s.

25. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 25
Step 5 of the Six Step Procedure
Completing the shipping paper for
hazardous material shipments

26. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 26
The Shipping Description
S H I P -- The shipping paper must show the basic
shipping description, consisting of:
– Proper shipping name
– Hazard class and division (subsidiary is
optional for domestic shipment)
– Identification number (UN or NA)
– Packing Group (I, II or III)
» PLUS more?
– The total quantity

27. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 27
Additional Shipping Paper
Requirements (I)
 DOT exemption number, if applicable
 Limited Quantity, if applicable
 RQ for hazardous substances
 Marine Pollutant
 Residue, last contained, if applicable
 Dangerous When Wet for Division 4.3
[172.203]

28. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 28
Additional Shipping Paper
Requirements (II)
 Technical name(s) in parentheses
 Poison Inhalation Hazard, if applicable
 Poison, if not otherwise indicated
 HOT for elevated temperature material
 Radioactives
 Special requirements for air, rail and
water

29. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 29
Shipper’s Certification
“This is to certify the above named
materials are properly classified,
described, packaged, marked and labeled,
and are in proper condition for
transportation according to the applicable
regulations of the Department of
Transport.”
[172.204]

30. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 30
Hazardous and Non-Hazardous
Materials
You can list hazardous and non-hazardous
materials on the same shipping paper, if
you do one of the following:
– Enter all hazardous materials first
– Highlight hazardous materials
– Mark an “X” or RQ in column headed
“Hazardous Materials” or “HM”

31. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 31
Emergency Response Information
 Shippers use MSDS, ERG, forms. Information
must include:
– Basic Description of the hazardous material
– Immediate hazards to health
– Risks of fire or explosion
– Immediate precautions in case of an accident
– Procedures in case of fire
– Methods for handling spills and leaks
– Preliminary first aid
– 24-hour telephone number

32. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 32
Review a sample shipping paper

33. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 33
Step 6 of the Six Step Procedure
Placarding vehicles and containers of
hazardous materials (172.500)

34. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 34
Background
 Placards, labels, identification numbers,
markings, and shipping papers are
hazard communicate hazard information.

35. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 35
What is
 A label?
 A marking?
 A placard?
 An identification number?
 What is a primary hazard placard/label?
 Subsidiary hazard placard/label must not
include class/division number on the
bottom corner.

36. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 36
What to placard?
 Table 1 - placard any quantity
– cannot use “DANGEROUS” placard
 Table 2 - Placard if total quantity 454 kg
(1001 pounds)
– “DANGEROUS” placard permitted for mixed
load if < 1000 Kg (2205 lb) per class loaded at
facility

37. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 37
Identification Numbers and
placement
 Bulk containers must display the identification
number of their contents, either on the placard,
or an orange panel beside the placard.
 Placards should be placed on each end and each
side of motor vehicles or railroads.
 Cargo tanks and portable tanks less than 1000
gallons require two placards on opposite sides
of the tank

38. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 38
Examples

39. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 39
Examples

40. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 40
Examples

41. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 41
Examples

42. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 42
Examples

43. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 43
Examples

44. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 44
Examples

45. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 45
Examples

46. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 46
Examples

47. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 47
Examples

48. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 48
Examples

49. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 49
Examples

50. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 50
Examples

51. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 51
Exceptions may be allowed
– Small Quantities Exceptions (173.4)
– Materials of Trade (MOT) (173.6)
– Exceptions for various classes/div. (173.13 )
– Limited Quantity, ORM-D (column 8A)
– Agricultural operations (173.5)
– Government material (173.7)
– Placarding exceptions
– DOT Exemptions

52. DOT/HMR Training 6/98 -- 49CFR -- P.Christou 52
Summary
 UNDERSTAND the hazard of the materials you handle
 KNOW and FOLLOW all your HAZMAT
responsibilities, as they apply to your job
 You must know the BASIC DESCRIPTION of a
material to ship it properly
 If you have questions, ASK SOMEONE who knows.
Consult regs, procedures, others