Amazing Facts About Hazardous Cargo

The concept of “hazardous cargo” is commonly misunderstood. Some people might picture chemicals oozing out of a rusted tanker, while others might envision a flatbed truck without its payload tied down.

The reality is actually quite different. Hazardous cargo is generally defined as any transported material that is a risk to the environment or to the health or safety of the vehicle or the people transporting it. Working with hazmat in North Charleston, SC can be a challenging task, but it’s not as intimidating as you might think once you learn a bit more about how it works:

• “Red tape” helps us all: Since hazardous cargo has such a broad definition, it’s typically classified into one of nine categories, among them explosives, corrosives and gases. These categories help regulatory agencies and shipping companies organize their guidelines to keep everyone on the road safe. However, what makes these rules even more complex is that state and federal agencies all have their own rules—transporting a chemical from Point A to Point B could mean complying with the regulations of several agencies. For this reason, you want to work with a trusted hauling partner in North Charleston, SC who knows how to navigate that world of complex rules and regulations.
• There’s a system to everything: A good hauling company knows that these regulations need to be followed at all times for safety’s sake. Informing the public about what’s around them at any given time is a key part of this. One of the most visible ways we do this is through the diamond-shaped placards that you’ve likely seen on the sides and backs of trucks on the road. These have a system of coloring, lettering and numbering that lets people know exactly what type of material we’re hauling, and how risky it might be.
• There’s more hazmat than you might think: Hazmat is all around us in North Charleston, SC. In fact, 20 percent of all cargo that’s transported is classified as hazardous, and 94 percent of this is moved along our nation’s highways and roads. This is mostly an indication of how broad a definition it truly is—believe it or not, items like magnets, charcoal and even dental whitening strips can all be classified as hazardous cargo for various reasons. In fact, the federal government lists more than 3,600 items as dangerous goods in its most recent regulations.
• Employee training is key: The United States government does not fool around when it comes to working with hazmat in North Charleston, SC. It’s constantly checking with companies and verifying that all procedures are being followed to the letter. A big part of this is ensuring all employees are trained and up to date on all policies regarding the handling of hazardous cargo. Unfortunately, many companies fall short on this point. In fact, half of all civil penalties in hazmat shipping are due to the fact that companies have failed to properly train their staff.

These fun facts demonstrate that working with hazardous cargo in Charleston, SC can be a safe and productive endeavor when you partner with an experienced shipping company. Our team at All Points Transport can handle anything from hazmat to refrigerated shipping—give us a call today and see how we can safely move your goods to their destination.

Categorised in: Hazmat Shipping