General Awareness and Familiarization Training

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

What training is required for hazmat employees?

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

Regulated medical waste is in hazard class, division 6.2

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

What does the biohazard symbol look like?

• Should be at least 6”

• Should be on

contrasting colors

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.