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Transporting Hazardous Materials: A Risk to Workers
Transporting hazardous materials: A risk to workers
by lainie.little@thomsonreuters.com | Oct 2, 2017 | Truck Accident Injuries
Working in the oil industry, there are always dangerous materials that need to be transported. As a loved one of someone killed while transporting these hazardous chemicals, you know the true dangers involved. Since your loved one was killed on the job, you have the right to a workers’ compensation claim, which can help cover expenses and financial losses.
It’s important that people learn from what your loved one went through. Transporting hazardous materials in the correct way is the only way to know they won’t come into contact with people. If there is a collision and the hazardous waste or chemicals spill, the right safety protocols in place help people, like your loved one, avoid serious injuries.
What provides information on natural oil and hazardous substance contingency plans for spills?
The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) is the government’s plan for responding to the release or spill of hazardous substances. This was originally created in 1968 after a large oil spill caused environmental damage.
This plan primarily focuses on the clean up of pollution that could affect the people and environment around a spill.
For those who work with hazardous substances, reporting the spill is the first step to having a hazmat team come to the scene. These people know how to decontaminate the scene, the environment and help those who come into contact with the hazardous materials.
What should you know if you’re transporting hazardous materials?
Your employer should have identified whether or not the material you’re shipping or transporting is a hazardous material. If so, it should be identified by class and shipped in the appropriate tank or trailer. Your vehicle should have a hazard warning label to let other drivers know the potential danger inside.
Additionally, all employees need to be trained in handling emergencies and with how to block, brace and prepare items for transport. Allowing someone without training to load or transport materials is dangerous and illegal.