Hazardous materials are potentially dangerous to people, animals, and the environment. Shipping methods vary depending on the type of material and destination. Hazmat is classified and marked with color coding and diamond-shaped designs. Transportation can be by plane, train, truck, or by hand. Accreditation is required for workers involved in shipping hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials, also known as hazmat or dangerous goods, are solids, liquids or gases generally classified as potentially dangerous to people, animals or the environment. Shipping hazardous materials usually requires a precise method of transportation to avert these potential threats. These methods may vary depending on the type of hazardous material being shipped and the countries it is being transported to.
Methods for shipping hazardous materials generally can be divided into three parts. A hazardous material is usually classified according to the type of hazardous material and then marked accordingly. You must also select an appropriate means of transportation for the hazardous material. Shipping and transportation of the hazardous material itself is usually handled by a trained professional selected for the business.
Before shipping any dangerous goods, most western countries require a dangerous goods classification and marking system. This can aid in the identification of the type of hazmat being carried. For example, hazardous materials can be classified as explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizers, radioactive materials, corrosive liquids, or miscellaneous. Each of these individual classifications normally consists of subgroups, which further specify the type of hazmat. Color coding and diamond-shaped designs are generally used to distinguish these types, providing immediate information on the content of the dangerous goods.
Transportation methods for hazardous waste usually depend on the type of hazardous waste being shipped. Hazmat can be shipped using vehicles such as planes, trains or trucks. Many types of trucks can be used to ship hazardous materials. These include trucks, tankers, ISO tank containers, tube trailers and tank trucks. Because these trucks often use public highways for their shipping routes, signs are often placed on the outside of the vehicles to inform people that Hazmat is being transported.
Sometimes, workers ship dangerous material by hand. This can usually be the result of not knowing that a material is dangerous. Many times it can be a sign of corrupt business practices, where Hazmat regulations are ignored, as are worker safety standards.
Workers involved in shipping hazardous materials usually need to have some type of accreditation. This may mean undergoing extensive training and passing a test to become a certified forwarder or carrier. Due to the hazardous nature of hazmats this is normally required to ensure the safest possible transport.
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