IN PERSPECTIVE: Handling & Shipping Hazardous Chemicals

WMHS recently sat down with the folks at CHEMTREC to talk about how companies can stay up to date with their hazardous materials training, and much more. Read on for this exclusive, in-depth interview.

Q. CHEMTREC provides information and support for shippers of hazardous material. What types of support do you offer?

A. The U.S. Department of Transportation, along with authorities in many other countries, requires all shippers of hazardous materials to include a 24-hour emergency phone number on all hazardous material shipping papers (49 CFR § 172.604). By registering with CHEMTREC, customers will receive access to our emergency response phone number for shipping hazardous materials. We also offer Safety Data Sheet (SDS) services, online hazmat training and regulatory information on shipping hazmat.

Q. What sort of emergency response services do you provide?

A. CHEMTREC provides shippers of hazardous materials with a 24/7 emergency response phone number to use on Safety Data Sheets, shipping papers and labels.

Q. Why should businesses register with CHEMTREC?

A. CHEMTREC is trusted by companies worldwide. We were established in 1971 as the world’s first emergency call center and have become the leader in hazmat emergency response. We establish a critical link between shippers, carriers, emergency response and medical personnel, chemical experts, and law enforcement agencies during incidents involving hazardous materials. Our emergency response phone number helps you stay compliant with U.S. DOT and international shipping regulations and helps keep your employees safe during a hazardous material spill, leak or exposure.

Q. How does working with CHEMTREC promote overall safety for employees?

A. CHEMTREC is more than just a call center, we’re an experienced partner who can help reduce risk and internal burdens so your organization can succeed and grow. Our emergency call center is here for you around the clock to offer you peace of mind and immediate assistance from a team of fully-trained and experienced hazardous materials emergency response service specialists.

Q. How important is it to stay up to date with hazardous materials training?

A. Shipping hazardous materials is highly dangerous for employees and the environment so it is important for workers to complete required training and stay up to date on any changes that may occur. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires employees involved in any part of hazardous materials transportation to complete hazmat training and to renew their certification every three years.

Q. I understand you launched two new online training courses…. What are the benefits of attending these courses?

A. The courses provide training for employees involved in the handling, packaging and transport of hazardous materials. Employees will learn what hazardous materials are and how they are classified, how to pack, mark and label hazmat items, how to prepare shipping papers, safety and security awareness, and emergency response guidance. The courses meet the training requirements for DOT’s 49 CFR, 172.

Q. What’s your last piece of advice for companies who aren’t registered with CHEMTREC?

A. Having an emergency telephone number on your shipping documents is only the first step. To protect yourself in the event of a hazmat incident, like a spill, you also need a chemical emergency response partner in place. When you register with CHEMTREC, you gain access to an extensive array of services including 24-hour emergency response and medical specialists, language interpretation services, regulatory information and incident reporting. Many of our customers also take advantage of our incident prevention services. We can walk your employees through hazmat handling procedures so that your company is less likely to have an incident. WMHS