Hazmat Regulations and Transportation School

HAZMAT Regulations and Transportation

School Transportation

Currently state and federal governments recognize that students are most safely transported by commercial vehicles. Any commercial vehicle used to transport students from point A to point B. qualifies as a school bus. At this time it is not recommended that students travel in non-commercial vehicles that would not quality as a 'school bus' because such vehicles are not as stringently regulated by the government, thus student riding in these vehicles are more at risk (CDL, 2005).

School bus regulations for transporting pupils outside the school bus vary from state to state.

These regulations and requirements are often reviewed and updated on an annual basis. Federal regulations however require that schools recognize any commercial motor vehicle used to transport students from home to school and back or to school sponsored events as a school bus (CDL, 2005). The only vehicle falling outside of this category is a common "Carrier" (CDL, 2005).

The U.S. Congress passed the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act or MCSIA in 2002, which requires all states to meet federal standards that include "uniform testing and licensing" of any agents transporting students in a commercial vehicle (CDL, 2005).

This means anyone interested in driving a bus must pass licensing and testing requirements and renew these licenses on a consistent basis.

At any given time up to 50% of more of students traveling ride in what are considered official 'school' buses (CDL, 2005). These buses must be licensed and regulated as well. Hazardous materials may not be transported on commercial vehicles used to transport students.

Hazard Classes For Hazardous Materials

It is vital that any employee working with hazardous materials (HAZMAT) understand the dangers involved and safety precautions necessary to protect their health and well-being and that of their employer. The first step in this process is identifying hazmat safety hazards.

The Department of Transportation recognizes 9 separate hazard classes of transporting hazardous materials (OHMS, 2005). Hazardous materials are any substances that are or may be harmful to the public or those transporting substances. The Department of Defense lists 10 separate hazards contrarily. Below is a breakdown of the major hazard classes listed by the DOT as defined by the Office of HAZMAT Safety:

Explosives - Explosives include any substances that may explode or pose an explosion hazard during transportation. Minor blasts that may occur as a result of transport also fall into this category.

Compressed Gases - These are gasses that are compressed for safety and may be flammable or non-flammable. Poisonous gasses are included in this category.

Flammable Solids - This category includes any solids that are flammable or that may combust spontaneously. Also included are materials that may pose a hazard in wet conditions.

Flammable Liquids - This includes any liquid that has a flash point below 141 degrees Fahrenheit, which categorizes it as flammable, or any liquid that may combust between 141 and 200 degrees.

Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides - These include any substances that act as an oxidizer including peroxide.

Toxic Materials - Toxic Materials include any material that is infectious or poisonous to the public.

Radioactive agents - These include agents that are radioactive under categories one through three.

Corrosive Materials - Corrosive agents include any agents that may destroy or harm human skin or corrode metals like steel.

Miscellaneous - In this category includes any substance that is hazardous to humans but is not classifiable in any of the categories mentioned above. (OHMS, 2005; EHS, 2005).

Employers have an obligation to label all hazardous materials within the workplace using special coding systems so employees are aware of hazards they may work with. In addition materials safety data sheets should be available for employees to review in a public location within the company. These sheets contain information regarding a substances hazard class and steps an employee or organization should take if any person is exposed to the hazardous substance in question. Also provided is detailed information regarding the handling and care of hazardous materials.

HAZMAT Training Requirements

It is absolutely essential to the livelihood and well being of employees and organizations that anyone involved in transporting hazmat is adequately tested, trained and certified. Training can mean the difference between life and death for individuals working with hazardous materials. Fortunately there are federal and state regulations that currently govern the types of training employers must offer with respect to hazmat. This training is standardized to ensure that ell people handling hazardous materials are adequately informed and trained regarding transportation, handling and any problems they might encounter during daily operations with hazmat materials.

HAZMAT training is any training for employees that operate a motor vehicle that transports HAZMAT (hazardous materials) (OHMS, 2005). This training is also applicable to any persons involved in loading or unloading hazmat from a vehicle, anyone testing packages used to transport hazmat materials, anyone repairing or operating hazmat vehicles and anyone responsible for the safety of hazmat while in transit (OHMS, 2005). People managing employees that operate or work with hazmat must also be trained in hazmat safety so they can monitor employees training and progress. Training is vital to the health and well being of all individuals involved in hazmat.

Training according to the Department of Labor must include a systematic or consistent approach that "ensures that a hazmat employee has knowledge of hazardous materials including HMR and can perform essential functions" (OHMS, 2005). Federal regulations regulate transportation and training of hazmat materials in the U.S. The goal of training includes information all employees of the risks associated with transporting hazmat but also ensuring the safely and well being of employees involved in hazmat transportation. All training programs must meet regulations outlined by sections of Title 49 of the Federal Code of Regulations (OHMS, 2005).