M3463 DOT HAZMAT GENERAL AWARENESS TRAINING Leader s Guide 1998, MARCOM GROUP LTD.
DOT HAZMAT GENERAL AWARENESS TRAINING This easy-to-use Leader s Guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation. Featured are: INTRODUCTION: A brief description of the program and the subject that it addresses. PROGRAM OUTLINE: Summarizes the program content. If the program outline is discussed before the video is presented, the entire program will be more meaningful and successful. PREPARING FOR AND CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION: These sections will help you set up the training environment, help you relate the program to site-specific incidents, and provide program objectives for focusing your presentation. REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Questions may be copied and given to participants to document how well they understood the information that was presented. Answers to the review questions are provided separately. ATTENDANCE RECORD: Document the date of your presentation as well as identify the program participants. The attendance record may be copied as needed. INTRODUCTION Leaks and spills of hazardous materials can result in serious injuries, damage to property and harm to the environment. For this reason, it is important that everyone involved in the transportation process of these materials carry out their roles safely. To address this situation, the Department of Transportation has developed special Hazardous (HAZMAT) Materials Regulations. This video covers the General Awareness requirements of these regulations. Topics include shipping information, the Emergency Response Guidebook, hazard class labels and placards and the Hazardous Materials Table. Packaging and storage of hazardous materials are also discussed in the program. PROGRAM OUTLINE BACKGROUND In 1993, the DOT adopted training for all HAZMAT employees. The four types of training are general awareness, function-specific, driver training, and safety training. HAZMAT Employers are companies with one or more employees that transport or receive hazardous materials or cause these materials to be transported. Companies that recondition or test containers used to transport these materials also fall into this category. HAZMAT Employees are any workers that are directly involved in the handling, transportation or storage of hazardous materials. This program covers the General Awareness portion of the requirements and is designed to help you understand the DOT regulations and how to recognize and identify hazardous materials. In addition to training, the regulation incorporates the use of performance oriented packaging. These standards make U.S. shipping regulations more consistent with those recommended by the United Nations. SHIPPING PAPERS The shipping papers accompanying a hazardous material must list a basic description that includes the following information: Proper DOT Shipping Name; Four-Digit UN Identification Number; Hazard Class; Packing Group; Emergency Response Phone Number; Signed Safety Verification.
In motor vehicles, these papers should be kept within arm s reach of the driver. They should be easily distinguishable from other documents. LABELS & PLACARDS Hazard class labels on boxes and containers identify both primary and secondary hazards of the material. They are diamond shaped and must be at least 3.9 inches per side. You will also see placards with these symbols on rail cars, trucks and other vehicles. Placards are diamond shaped like hazard class labels, but they measure 10.75 inches per side. They are made of tag board and other materials. For vehicles that are used to carry a number of different hazardous materials, special multi-paneled placarding systems are available. The DOT has created hazard class symbols and numbers for each of the nine hazard classes. The symbols appear in the top corner of the diamond, while the numbers can be found at the bottom. Each label and placard must be in the color and design specified by the DOT. These labels and placards exist for nine classes of materials: Class 1: Explosives Class 2: Gases Class 3: Flammable Liquids Class 4: Flammable Solids Class 5: Oxidizing Substances/Organic Class 6: Poisonous Substances Class 7: Radioactives Class 8: Corrosives Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials Peroxides DOT regulations also contain a Hazardous Materials Table, which provides detailed labeling information. Other labels and placards can identify potentially dangerous materials or the need for special handling, such as This End Up. Placarding specifications can be found in two Placarding Tables in section 172.504 of the regulations. Carriers should keep a supply of extra labels and placards on hand in case the originals are lost are damaged. THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE-BOOK The DOT created the Emergency Response Guidebook to provide information on materials through the use of guide numbers. The guidebook is the primary resource for emergency responders and should be placed in each vehicle near the shipping papers. Remember that the guidebook and HAZMAT regulations are updated frequently. Be aware of recent revisions and use the most current version available. PACKAGING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Employees must know how to pack hazardous materials. This packaging must meet or exceed United Nations specifications. Packages meeting these standards carry the UN symbol as well as codes that provide information about the container s type, material and construction. Check the HAZMAT regulations section 178.600 to determine if the packaging meets performance levels. Consult the Hazardous Materials Table to determine the proper packaging for specific hazardous materials.
When loading a shipment, make sure that it is labeled and marked according to shipping papers and confirm that the package is undamaged. Do not release a shipment if the package is ripped, broken or not properly marked or labeled. It is a serious violation of offer packages for shipment that do not conform to the HMR requirements. WORKING WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS If you are involved in transporting hazardous materials, make sure that the vehicles being used are properly placarded. When unloading a shipment of hazardous materials, make sure shipping papers are in order. Be as careful as you can. Check for special handling requirements, such as PPE, indicated by warning labels on packages. The Hazardous Materials Table answers questions about DOT labeling and packaging requirements and contains all information needed to ship hazardous materials. Information about each hazardous material is divided into ten easy-to-use columns. Materials are listed alphabetically by proper shipping name. STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS If you are involved with storing hazardous materials, do not store damaged packages. If you find one, notify your supervisor immediately. The tables in the HAZMAT regulations will indicate which hazardous materials must be separated from each other when shipped or stored. Many materials require specially controlled storage areas. For instance, flammables should be kept away from heat and sources of ignition. When making special storage arrangements, keep materials that need to be segregated away from each other. SUMMARY Following HAZMAT regulations makes the handling and transportation of hazardous materials safe for everyone. Know how to use shipping papers and other references so you can find answers to any questions you may have about certain materials. Participating in the required training and taking the time to work safely will help you do your part.
PREPARE FOR THE SAFETY MEETING OR TRAINING SESSION Review each section of this Leader's Guide as well as the videotape. Here are a few suggestions for using the program: Make everyone aware of the importance the company places on health and safety and how each person must be an active member of the safety team. Introduce the videotape program. Play the videotape without interruption. Review the program content by presenting the information in the program outline. Copy the review questions included in this Leader's Guide and ask each participant to complete them. Copy the attendance record as needed and have each participant sign the form. Maintain the attendance record and each participant's test paper as written documentation of the training performed. Here are some suggestions for preparing your videotape equipment and the room or area you use: Check the room or area for quietness, adequate ventilation and temperature, lighting and unobstructed access. Check the seating arrangement and the audiovisual equipment to ensure that all participants will be able to see and hear the videotape program. Place or secure extension cords to prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard. CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION Begin the meeting by welcoming the participants. Introduce yourself and give each person the opportunity to become acquainted if there are new people joining the training session. Explain that the primary purpose of the program is to provide a basic understanding of the general areas of the DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations. Introduce the videotape program. Play the videotape without interruption. Review the program content by presenting the information in the program outline. Lead discussions about hazardous materials stored and handled at your facility and how employees can prevent accidents involving them. Use the review questions to check how well the program participants understood the information. After watching the videotape program, the viewer will have a basic understanding of the following: Information found in or on shipping papers, hazard class labels and placards, the Emergency Response Guidebook, MSDS s and other sources. Details of the DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations and how they affect HAZMAT employers and employees; Safe work practices for packaging, handling and storing hazardous materials.
DOT HAZMAT GENERAL AWARENESS TRAINING REVIEW QUESTIONS Name Date The following questions are provided to check how well you understand the information presented during this program. 1. Employees who are involved with reconditioning or testing containers used to transport hazardous materials are not considered HAZMAT Employees. a. true b. false 2. Hazard class placards must appear on each side and each end of transport vehicles and containers of hazardous materials. a. true b. false 3. is used to help make U.S. shipping regulations more consistent with those required by the United Nations. a. Power Oriented Packaging b. Placard Oriented Packaging c. Performance Oriented Packaging d. all of the above 4. Which of the following might indicate that a material is potentially hazardous? a. hazard class labels b. shipping papers c. MSDS s d. all of the above 5. Where will you find the hazard class number on a hazard class label? a. in the middle b. in the top corner c. in the right corner d. in the bottom corner 6. The Hazardous Materials Table in the DOT regulations contains all the information needed to ship hazardous materials. a. true b. false 7. How many classes of hazardous materials are there? a. 4 b. 7 c. 9 d. 12
1. b 2. a 3. c 4. d 5. d 6. a 7. c ANSWERS TO THE REVIEW QUESTIONS