November 12, 2022

Chemical Haulers Must Know Regulations

Lab chemicals are an essential part of many research laboratories, and chemical transport is often a component of laboratory moving and maintenance. While many chemicals are harmless, some fall into the category of hazardous materials. Legal compliance when relocating potentially hazardous chemicals requires planning, care and expertise in U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.

Many Common Laboratory Chemicals Are Classified as Hazardous:

Any chemical with the potential to cause harm to living things, the environment, or property can be classified as hazardous. Typically, this includes any liquid, solid, or gas with properties that are flammable, combustible, toxic, pathogenic, corrosive, oxidizing, unstable, or irritating to the eyes, lungs, or skin. Federal and state laws carefully control the transport of these chemicals over public roads to reduce the risk of spills or accidents.

U.S. Government Regulates Transport of Hazardous Chemicals:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) to control how potentially dangerous chemicals are moved across the United States. The HMTA includes detailed provisions for procedures, labeling, packaging requirements, employee training, and operational rules involved in chemical transport. Violations of the HTMA are federal offenses and can carry serious criminal penalties including jail time and fines up to $75,000.

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