Storage and Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals

5. Checklist: Safety Precautions for Transporting Chemicals and Proper Storage

1. Avoid Transporting Hazardous Chemicals With Food 

Once a tank container is tagged to carry food, you can't use it to transport any other cargo type.

shacman contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDA) requires regulations for the sanitary transportation of food by shippers and carriers by motor or rail vehicle. To prevent food safety problems, here are a few guidelines to adhere to:

• Proper refrigeration or temperature control
• Adequate management of storage facilities used during the transport
• Proper loading and unloading practices (includes sanitation of all equipment, and the transportation of mixed loads that increase the risk for cross-contamination)
• Monitor the cleanliness and condition of the vehicles
• Excellent communication between the shippers, transporters, and receivers

The responsibility for keeping food safe falls largely on those who transport the goods. The ultimate goal is to ensure consumers have access to safe food.

2. Follow the Dangerous Goods Segregation Rules for Carrying Mixed Classes of Hazardous Chemicals

Incompatible dangerous goods should not be transported or stored together. Chemicals must be separated when being stored to ensure incompatible chemicals do not mix if there is a spill. 

ChemSafetyPro shared an article about dangerous goods segregation and how to get necessary information to determine whether you should transport or store hazardous material together with other hazardous substances.

According to ChemSafetyPro, the general principles of dangerous goods segregation include:

• Hazardous materials of the same class usually may be stowed together (unless known chemical reactions)

• Strong acids are incompatible with a strong alkali

• Class 4.3 materials should be separated from all containers of aqueous (water-containing) solutions, even if the solutions are not dangerous goods.

• Class 5.2 organic peroxides and highly pyrophoric class 4.2 goods are highly reactive. They are recommended to be stored in separated detached buildings.

• Class 6.1 toxic substances shall be separated from all foods or feeds. 

• Some explosives (unstable,1.1, and 1.2), infectious substance (class 6.2), and radioactive materials (class 7) are usually deemed incompatible with all other dangerous goods.

• Class 9 dangerous goods are usually deemed compatible with all other dangerous goods.

Source: Dangerous Goods Segregation Table and Principles

3. Secure Chemicals Against Movement on Transportation Vehicles

Handling and transporting hazardous materials can be risky.

Proper loading and securing will help eliminate some of the risks. Brace all containers so they can not fall, slide, or bounce around during transportation. 

4. Keep a Record of the Substances You are Carrying

Shipping papers and written emergency instructions are critical for safety. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the safety data sheet when storing chemicals.

5. Confirm You Have the Required Signs and Proper Labeling (Placards and Markings)

Hazardous materials must be appropriately labeled to avoid health and safety problems.

What You Can Find on a Warning Label... 

• Name of the chemical 
• Manufacturer 
• Chemical code number
• The danger level of the chemical: “Warning,” “Caution,” or “Danger.”
• If the chemical is highly toxic, it should be noted as poisonous.
• Any physical hazards such as flammable, explosive, corrosive, etc.

Maintaining compliance with Dangerous Goods regulations doesn’t stop with packaging and labeling. Shippers need to be aware of placarding requirements before putting their shipments into commerce.

Placards are standard hazmat identifiers, designed to meet individual specifications, and placed on outer containers, trucks, cylinders, or other vehicles used for transport.

"The Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates that Hazmat Placards be used when transporting hazardous materials and dangerous goods in the United States. These DOT Placards and Hazardous Materials Placards have numbers on them noting specific chemicals or groups of chemicals being transported." [source]

The most popular hazmat labels are Flammable Liquid, Corrosive, Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods, Toxic and Flammable Gas.

"If you've traveled the highways, you've seen trucks, tankers, and rail cars with the distinctive square-on-point placards that indicate the presence of Dangerous Goods (DG) on board." 

An infographic from LabelMaster provides a brief overview of the regulations governing the use of placards on trucks and trains.

6. Have an Emergency Team of Specialized People

Having procedures in place and teams to handle emergency leaks is invaluable.

The first step if a spill occurs is communication and determination. Evaluate the risks and potential impact.

7. Include a Method of Corrosion Control in Roads and Rail Transport

Polymeric linings are essential for protecting the integrity of any vehicle from chemical attack when storing highly corrosive and damaging chemicals.

Just as vital as the linings are the protection of the areas in and around and underneath tanks, including concrete tank pads, flooring, secondary containmentandwastewater areas.

Use a secondary containment system such as a drip tray or bund (a storage area designed to prevent liquids from escaping). The storage area must be able to withstand spills and splashes, and tank leaks from aggressive chemical exposures, including strong acids, alkalis, gases, solvents, and oxidizers, to prevent migration into the concrete surfaces.

Conclusion

To ensure greater flexibility in the range of chemicals that can be handled by one tank, it is wise to consider a universal lining. Extensive testing and years of field service have shown that the ChemLINE® system protects tanks against more types of chemicals and environmental influences than stainless steel, phenolic epoxies, and other conventional coatings.

Avoiding the need to recoat while preserving the integrity and longevity of the tanks and the purity of the contained chemicals — can save tens of thousands of dollars in labor, materials, and repairs.

Transporting Hazardous Materials in Motor Vehicles

Does your university work require the transport of hazardous materials in private or university owned motor vehicles?

If so, the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations apply.  What to know before you go:

A hazardous material is defined as a substance or material that has been determined by the DOT title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when in transport. Materials that are hazardous to the environment (i.e., hazardous substance, hazardous wastes, and marine pollutants) are also regulated. Hazardous materials include but are not limited to:

• Laboratory chemicals
• Biological materials
• Radioactive materials
• Compressed gases
• Dry ice
• Refrigerants and related equipment
• Instruments/equipment that contain hazardous materials

For a general understanding of hazardous material transportation regulations and how to apply them, DRS developed a training, Awareness Training for the Transport of Hazardous Materials.

For certain hazardous materials called materials of trade in limited amounts, there are exemptions to the full requirements that normally apply (see 49.CFR 173.6). Most university transport falls under this exemption, for example, when a university worker must transport a hazardous material, other than a hazardous waste, on a motor vehicle to support job duties or for the operation and maintenance of equipment.

Materials and Limits

Many commonly transported materials fall under the exemption such as gasoline, diesel fuel, ethanol, formalin solutions, acid solutions, and dry ice.  The amounts are limited to 30L/30 kg (8 gallons/66 pounds).  The table below outlines the hazard class and allowable amounts to be transported under the Material of Trade exemption.  For chemicals not specifically listed in the table, check section 14 of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to identify the hazard class and packing group. If you don’t have an SDS or have questions, contact DRS.

Hazard Class

Class 1 – Explosives

Cannot be transported!

Class 2 – Gases

• Division 2.1 – Flammable Gases

In a cylinder with gross weight ≤ 100 kg (220 lbs)

In a dewar flask ≤ 25.3 psi

Ex: cryogenic liquids (ethylene; hydrogen; methane); ethane; compressed (hydrogen; methane; deuterium); acetylene, dissolved; petroleum gases, liquefied (butane; butylene)

• Division 2.2 – Non-toxic, non-flammable Gases

In a cylinder with gross weight ≤ 100 kg (220 lbs)

In a dewar flask ≤ 25.3 psi

Ex: cryogenic liquids (argon; helium; nitrogen); compressed gases (air; argon; helium; nitrogen; oxygen); carbon dioxide (liquified, compressed)

• Division 2.3 – Poisonous or Toxic Gases

Cannot be transported!

Ex: carbon monoxide; fluorine; nitric oxide

For more Chemical Transport Truckinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Class 3 – Flammable Liquids

Packing Group I: 0.5 kg (1 lb) or 0.5 L (1 pt)

• Ex: acetaldehyde; allyl chloride; 2-chloropropane; diethyl ether, crude oil (boiling point < 35°C)

Packing Group II, III, or no packing group: 30 kg (66 lbs) or 30 L (8 gal)

• Ex: acetone; ethanol; gasoline; methanol; diesel fuel; formaldehyde solutions; acetonitrile; heptane

Class 4 – Other Flammable Substances

• Division 4.1 – Flammable Solids

Packing Group I: 0.5 kg (1 lb) or 0.5 L (1 pt)

• Ex: smokeless powder for small arms; black powder for small arms

Packing Group II, III, or no packing group: 30 kg (66 lbs) or 30 L (8 gal)

• Ex: hexamethylenetetramine; magnesium; naphthalene; paraformaldehyde; silicon powder, amorphous; ferrocerium, sodium dodecy sulfate

• Division 4.2 – Spontaneously combustible materials (i.e., self-reactive)

Cannot be transported!

• Division 4.3 – Dangerous when wet materials

Packing Group II, III, or no packing group: 30 mL (1 ounce)

• Ex: sodium aluminum hydride; zinc ashes; alkali metal amides

Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances & Organic Peroxides

• Division 5.1 – Oxidizers

Packing Group I: 0.5 kg (1 lb) or 0.5 L (1 pt)

• Ex: hydrogen peroxide, stabilized; iodine pentafluoride; sodium peroxide

Packing Group II, III, or no packing group: 30 kg (66 lbs) or 30 L (8 gal)

• Ex: aluminum nitrate; ammonium persulfate; barium bromate; barium nitrate; calcium chlorate; calcium nitrate; ferric nitrate; lead dioxide; magnesium bromate

• Division 5.2 – Organic Peroxides

Packing Group I: 0.5 kg (1 lb) or 0.5 L (1 pt)

Packing Group II, III, or no packing group: 30 kg (66 lbs) or 30 L (8 gal)

Class 6 – Poisonous (Toxic) and Infectious Substances

• Division 6.1 – Poisonous (Toxic) Material

Packing Group I: 0.5 kg (1 lb) or 0.5 L (1 pt). Except: Poisonous by inhalation cannot be transported (see SDS section 14).

Packing Group II, III, or no packing group: 30 kg (66 lbs) or 30 L (8 gal)

• Ex: acridine; aldol

• Division 6.2 – Infectious Substances

Category A: Cannot be transported!

Category B : Biological material and regulated medical waste, including sharps, is potentially infectious. Requires additional training, contact DRS

Unregulated and Exempt: See Classification Guide

Class 7 – Radioactive Materials

Cannot be transported!

Class 8 - Corrosives

Packing Group I: 0.5 kg (1 lb) or 0.5 L (1 pt)

• Ex: Nitric acid solution (>70%); chromosulfuric acid

Packing Group II, III, or no packing group: 30 kg (66 lbs) or 30 L (8 gal)

• Ex: acid solutions (acetic acid; hydrochloric; nitric acid (20-70%); phosphoric acid, sulfuric (not oleum or fuming sulfuric acid)); aluminum chloride; copper chloride

Class 9 – Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials

Packing Group I: 0.5 kg (1 lb) or 0.5 L (1 pt)

Packing Group II, III, or no packing group: 30 kg (66 lbs) or 30 L (8 gal)

• Ex: Dry Ice

Dilute mixtures (≤2%) of a Class 9 material: L (400 gal)

The aggregate gross weight of all materials of trade on a motor vehicle must not exceed 200 kg (440 pounds), except for dilute mixtures of class 9 material.

For any transport of hazardous material in excess of the amounts listed in the table or hazardous materials listed as “cannot be transported”, the full requirements of 49 CFR 173 apply, including adequate training of those involved with the transport (packing, loading, driving).

Packing and Loading

Hazardous Chemicals

Transport materials in the manufacturer’s original container if possible; or a container of equal or greater strength and integrity. Containers must be leak-tight and securely closed. Tape lids so that they do not unscrew during transport.

Place containers in secondary containment sufficient to hold spilled material. Include sufficient absorbent pads or material to absorb all liquid. Use separate secondary containers for incompatible chemicals.

When filling containers with liquids, leave sufficient head space in the container for the liquid to expand. Consider the potential for temperature rise during transport to prevent pressure build-up,

Gasoline must be transported in approved containers only.

Secure containers in the vehicle against shifting by using straps to directly secure to the vehicle. Protect against damage by placing them in boxes, carts, bins, etc. with padding. If possible, transport hazardous material in the bed of a pick-up truck or inside the trunk and not in the passenger cab. This is especially important for volatile material that may evaporate during transport if spilled.

Consider the potential for vehicle contamination. For example, gasoline spilled on vehicle carpet is very difficult to clean up and can emit intense odor for long periods of time.

Unregulated and Exempt Biological Materials

See Biological Material Transport.

Compressed Gas Cylinders

Cylinders must be transported with the protective valve cap secured in place. Cylinders must be secured to tie down points in the vehicle using sturdy straps such as ratchet-style-tie down straps or similar. Bungee cords or seatbelts are not adequate.

Ideally, cylinders should be transported in the bed of a pick-up truck, not inside the passenger cab as a leak could lead to oxygen depletion.

Cryogens and dry ice

Due to the slow but constant evaporation, cryogens and dry ice cannot be transported in sealed containers without pressure relief devices. As the evaporation could displace oxygen, asphyxiation is a real hazard inside a vehicle cab. Whenever possible, transport cryogens and dry ice in the bed of a pick-up truck. Small amounts (< 1L) may be transported inside the vehicle cab for short travel distances with a window open.

Hazard Communication and Labeling

Label all containers with the common name of the material that is understood by the public. Include the letters “RQ” if it contains a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance (see section 14 of the SDS if your chemical is not listed specifically in the table).

If reusing packaging received from hazardous materials shipment, make sure it is free of contamination. Check labels and hazardous material markings and remove them if they do not match the hazards of the materials inside.

A bulk packaging (container size > 450 L (119 gallons) containing a diluted mixture of a Class 9 material must be marked on two opposing sides with the four-digit identification number of the material. The identification number must be displayed on placards, orange panels or, alternatively, a white square-on-point configuration having the same outside dimensions as a placard (at least 273 mm (10.8 inches) on a side), in the manner specified in §172.332 (b) and (c) of this subchapter.

The operator of a motor vehicle transporting a material of trade must be informed of the presence of the hazardous material and if it is a reportable quantity.

Emergency Preparedness

Bring PPE (gloves and eye protection) and sufficient material to clean up spills of the transported materials. See Preparing for potential spills for information on spill-clean up. You should not wear PPE when transporting material through public spaces.

Be aware that containers may have shifted during transport and that liquids may have built-up pressure. Wear appropriate PPE and open containers away from your body.

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