Results from N. American Hazmat Rig Inspections

Image of a Tanker with Flammable Placard

Source: CVSA

In June, commercial motor vehicle inspectors inspected 6,204 vehicles transporting hazardous materials/dangerous goods (HM/DG) and 6,668 HM/DG packages in Canada and the U.S. for a five-day unannounced HM/DG inspection and enforcement initiative for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

The total number of violations was 1,774. Of those, just more than 200 involved improperly secured materials.

CVSA is a nonprofit association that includes more than 13,000 commercial vehicle safety enforcement officials. The group says it believes that collaboration between government and industry improves safety.

Vehicles found to have HM/DG-related out-of-service violations, and/or any other driver or vehicle out-of-service violations, were restricted from traveling until all out-of-service violations were addressed.

Also Read: Why an Ohio EMA is County Hazmat Transport Rigs

During the 2022 HM/DG Road Blitz, inspectors discovered the following HM/DG violations:

  • 408 shipping papers violations
  • 269 non-bulk/small means of containment packaging violations
  • 272 bulk packaging/large means of containment packaging violations
  • 76 non-bulk/small means of containment labeling violations
  • 159 bulk packaging/large means of containment placarding violations
  • 79 other safety marks violations
  • 168 loading and securement violations
  • 43 HM/DG package integrity (leaking) violations
  • 84 Transportation of Dangerous Goods Training Certificate violations (Canada only)

Below is a summary of the HM/DG class types inspected, broken out by country and combined for a North American total.

ClassDescriptionCanadaU.S.Total
Class 1Explosives, such as ammunition, fireworks, flares, etc.15150165
Class 2Gases, flammable, non-flammable oxygen and inhalation hazards.1291,3431,472
Class 3Flammable and combustible liquids, such as fuel oil, acetone, adhesives, paints, gasoline, ethanol, methanol, some pesticides, etc.2402,9623,202
Class 4Flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneously combust and substances that, on contact with water, emit flammable gases, such as white phosphorus and sodium.6331337
Class 5Oxidizing agents and organic peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, sodium nitrite, ammonium nitrate fertilizers and oxygen generators.8179187
Class 6Toxic and infectious substances; any material, other than a gas, that is so toxic to humans that it presents a health hazard during transportation, such as cyanide, biological samples, clinical wastes and some pesticides.12119131
Class 7Radioactive materials, such as cobalt 60 and cesium 137.01919
Class 8Liquid or solid corrosive substances, such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, that cause full thickness destruction of human skin at the site of contact within a specified time.64921985
Class 9Miscellaneous HM/DG, such as acetaldehyde ammonia, asbestos, elevated temperature materials and benzaldehyde.11369380

Governments in Canada and the U.S. have strict inspection and enforcement programs to ensure compliance with regulations regarding the transportation of HM/DG. In the U.S., the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are responsible for regulating and ensuring the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials. In Canada, the TDG Regulations are the safety requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods.

According to FMCSA’s data for last calendar year (as of Aug. 26, 2022), the top five hazmat violations in the U.S. were:

  • Package not secure in vehicle
  • No copy of USDOT HM registration number
  • No or improper shipping papers (carrier)
  • Shipping paper accessibility
  • Vehicle not placarded as required

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