Opinion: Working to Reduce the Hazard in Hazmat Transportation

By Mike Heimowitz

merican Chemistry Council

More than 800,000 shipments of hazardous materials move through the United States daily. Many of these materials are products of chemistry that are transformed into the medicines, agricultural products, fuels, construction materials, clothing, shampoo, make-up, laundry detergent and other goods and services that make people’s lives better, healthier and safer.

Many of these essential materials are delivered via the nation’s highways by truck. For-hire and private motor carriers move more than half of the 1.6 billion tons of chemicals and related products transported each year.

For the American Chemistry Council, which represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry, safe transportation is of paramount importance. It is a tribute to carriers and shippers that most shipments arrive at their destination safely and efficiently. The council is committed to continuously improve the safety and efficiency of hazardous materials transportation.

Twelve years ago, our industry launched Responsible Care, an initiative to improve the health, safety and environmental performance of our members and allies. At the heart of Responsible Care are six codes of management practices.

Under the distribution code, our members limit the risk of harm to the general public, carriers, distributors, contractors, employees and the environment. This code succeeds because shippers and carriers work hand-in-hand. A trucking company, railroad or marine carrier that goes through the formal process of becoming a Responsible Care partner demonstrates a commitment to operating safely.

Shippers and carriers also work closely through TRANSCAER — TRANSportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response. Ten manufacturing and transportation associations — including American Trucking Associations and National Tank Truck Carriers — participate in this outreach program.

The community awareness portion of TRANSCAER addresses the concerns of the public and answers questions about the transportation of hazardous materials. The emergency response portion is directed at the community emergency planning groups.

pecifically, the goals of TRANSCAER are to:

• Encourage partnerships between citizens and industry to develop a mutual understanding about the transportation of hazardous materials moving through their communities.
• Help community emergency planning groups identify hazardous materials moving through their communities.
• Provide guidance for local officials to develop and evaluate their communities’ emergency response plans.
• Assist with training for emergency preparedness.

Identifying what to do in case of a hazardous materials transportation emergency is an integral part of emergency response. A community may not have a chemical manufacturing facility or chemical warehouse nearby, but it could be located on a hazardous materials transportation route.

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While continuous efforts to improve hazardous materials transportation safety have made enormous strides, incidents still occur. Helping to mitigate those incidents is another essential element of the distribution code.

Chemtrec, a public service of the American Chemistry Council since 1971, plays a key role in ensuring effective emergency response. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, Chemtrec provides first responders, carriers, medical professionals and others with emergency response information, technical assistance and medical information for incidents involving hazardous materials.

When an incident occurs, Chemtrec quickly links responders at the scene with the product specialist from the manufacturer or shipper of the product. This product expert is familiar with the sensitive nature of the product and will know its handling characteristics and proper disposition.

Chemtrec maintains its own library of nearly 3 million product-specific material safety data sheets and other databases. These resources can be accessed in seconds and faxed in minutes to responders. Chemtrec can also link responders with chemical product specialists, emergency response coordinators, toxicologists, physicians and other industry experts to help mitigate the incident.

Carriers play an important role in the Chemtrec emergency response network through its Carrier Contact Program. Carriers join the network by simply providing Chemtrec with their 24-hour emergency contact information.

This can play a vital role in successfully resolving emergencies. In some emergency situations, personnel on the scene may be unable to identify the product or the name of the shipper. They may be able to provide only the name of the carrier. If that carrier is part of the program, Chemtrec can quickly inform it that one of its vehicles has been involved in an incident.

Chemtrec, coupled with the efforts of shippers and carriers through Responsible Care and TRANSCAER, solidifies the foundation for safe transportation of hazardous materials and effective emergency response.

The other piece of the equation is the efficiency of transportation. Government laws and regulations impact that efficiency along with the commercial practices of businesses in the supply chain.

An important safety issue confronting the American Chemistry Council is possible erosion of the national uniformity of hazardous materials transportation regulations. To ensure safe and efficient transportation, the federal government established a uniform system of regulations that applies nationwide. The regulations govern transportation — including loading, unloading and storage incidental to transportation. Through preemptive authority granted to the Department of Transportation, the law prohibits states and localities from imposing regulations that are not “substantively the same” as the federal requirement or that conflict with federal rules.

The American Chemistry Council, along with several carrier groups, is working with DOT, Congress and other industry groups to ensure that national uniformity is not placed in jeopardy.

Another issue that concerns the American Chemistry Council is the proposed changes to truck drivers’ hours-of-service regulations. Unless properly written and implemented, changes could have an adverse impact on both safety and the economy.

The business of chemistry is a $435 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation’s economy. It is the nation’s largest exporter, accounting for 10 cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. In order to sustain and build on that stellar economic performance, our production facilities must operate efficiently. We depend on motor carriers providing safe, consistent and just-in-time deliveries to maintain efficient production.

While trucks transport a substantial amount of hazardous materials, railroads also move a substantial portion. Many of the same safety issues apply to distribution by rail.

The American Chemistry Council will continue to work with carriers and participate in the key public policy debates to ensure that goods and services are transported safely through the nation every day of every year.

Mike Heimowitz is the senior manager of the distribution team at the American Chemistry Council, formerly Chemical Manufacturers Association, in Arlington, Va.