The results of a surprise five-day HazMat safety inspection initiative yielded a troubling 2,714 across North America.
“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,” a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) report states. “In Canada, the TDG Regulations are the safety requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods. And in Mexico, the Official Mexican Standards contain regulations for the land transport of hazardous materials and wastes.)
The CVSA recently released findings by inspectors in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada of 13,471 vehicles transporting materials that fall under the HazMat guidelines. During what the CVSA called its (hazardous material/dangerous goods) HM/DG Road Blitz from June 21-25, a reported 10,905 commercial motor vehicles and 8,363 packages were thoroughly inspected.
“During the HD/DG Road Blitz, inspectors conducted inspections on commercial motor vehicles containing HM/DG and any vehicles found to have HM/DG-related out-of-service violations, as well as any other driver or vehicle out-of-service violations, were restricted from traveling until all out-of-service violations were addressed,” the CVSA reportedly stated. The five-day compliance data highlighted the following issues.
- 496 shipping papers violations
- 628 non-bulk/small means of containment packaging violations
- 390 bulk packaging/large means of containment placarding violations
- 277 non-bulk/small means of containment labeling violations
- 307 bulk/large means of containment placarding violations
- 167 other safety marks violations
- 288 loading and securement violations
- 50 HM/DG package integrity (leaking) violations
- 63 Transportation of Dangerous Goods Training Certificate violations (Canada only)
Truck drivers in the U.S. saw the highest rate of violations among Class 3 hazardous materials at 3,140, more than double Mexico at 1,526, and Canada saw only 484 citations handed out. Class 3 hazardous materials typically involve flammable liquids, adhesives, paints, gasoline, ethanol, methanol, and pesticides. American truckers also saw the lion’s share of Class 1 violations at 317, compared to 115 in Canada and 90 in Mexico. Class 1 materials include explosives such as fireworks and ammunition, among others.
“The HM/DG Road Blitz helps increase awareness of the HM/DG rules and regulations in place to keep the driver, the public, and the environment safe. It also highlights the hard-working, specially trained commercial motor vehicle law enforcement individuals who inspect vehicles transporting HM/DG,” the CVSA wrote in a statement.
The CVSA has reportedly scheduled a series of inspections for 2022. Truckers may want to put the following dates into their calendars.
- International Road Check: May 17-19. Considered the most comprehensive enforcement effort of the year, the 72-hour event typically inspects upwards of 15 commercial motor vehicles per minute.
- Operation Safe Driver Week: July 10-16. The week-long enforcement effort targets truckers engaged in unsafe driving practices.
- Brake Safety Week: August 21-27. Commercial motor vehicle brake system inspections will be conducted on heavy-duty trucks and buses throughout North America.
Source: landline.com
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