Cross Contamination of Commodities

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by LadyJay, Jan 25, 2022.

  1. LadyJay

    LadyJay Bobtail Member

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    Jan 25, 2022
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    I work for a company that transports lead and used auto and industrial batteries as well as other commodities such as sterilized medical supplies, food, empty and filled beverage containers and household goods. All these products are being transported in the same dry van trailers. I feel that all these other commodities should not be transported in the same trailer that lead and auto batteries were in before picking up the new commodities because of cross contamination.
    The question I have for my fellow truckers is if any of you may be aware of existing guidelines and or regulations that state this type of transportation of commodities is not supposed to be occurring.
    Thanks in advance for your help!

    LadyJay
     
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  3. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    As a rule a good sweepout will prevent most contamination. Keep in mind most things like food and/or medical supplies especially sterile stuff is kept double or even triple packaged in transport just for that reason. Additionally the products are normally on pallets or in carts so there is is little/no chance of contamination from the floor directly. Walls may be a concern but some products will be outright rejected for loading if a trailer is especially bad. Honestly i would be more worried of loads where bleach is loaded ontop of ammonia then contamination from a fairly clean trailer floor.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2022
    Reason for edit: Wow i should not type without my glasses on.
  4. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    If it was a concern I'am sure the shippers would make it mandatory that the trailer be cleaned & or washed out before their product be loaded in the trailer
    Besides we had lead based paint for years
    If your worried about it tell your dispatcher you need money for a trailer wash out before you reload
    Report back to us what their reply to that is ..Please
     
  5. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    No placards? No worries,,,I figure. Batteries usually require them. It is a bit odd, I could see new batteries in some sort of packaging, but used, with sterile products? Sounds like someone is pulling a fast one,,reg-wise,,
     
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  6. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    Battery acid is diluted away with water [AKA Universal solvent] and the lead inside isn't a problem. I have old lead rifle balls that have a white coating - lead oxide and freely rubbed off as a contaminant an loose lead sheets could yield lead oxide; I doubt it is exposed and freely handled; most likely loose stuff would be in bins or boxes to contain the lead oxide dust.

    It's not like you are leaving half of the load in there while you load Pharma.
     
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  7. LadyJay

    LadyJay Bobtail Member

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    Jan 25, 2022
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    Thank you for your response. Could you clarify what you mean by your last sentence please. I uploaded a picture of the lead that I am referring too in my initial comment.
     

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  8. Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    Stop and think about this... Sterile. Means Sterile... I don't belive I have ever seen a completely sterile trailer..
    So I'am assuming the sterile products being transported are packaged in a sterile package or container... then boxed and loaded
    IDK..just a guess I'am just a dumb dirty cow hauler
     
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  9. Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

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    I have seen a few loads that I booked that says to have like 24-48 hours or something like that free of delivering Lead. So if you dropped a load of lead off and picked it up they could tell you to kick rocks. Honestly if you clean the trailer with a Blower you will Never have the problem of the smell and debris.
     
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  10. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    You can ship lead-acid batteries without any electrolyte. Those are not HazMat. If the lead-acid batteries are filled with electrolyte (acid) they are HazMat freight, if the quantity is sufficient.
     
  11. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Looks like the load of lead bars I hauled once. I said to the loader, "that's it"? He said, well, you have 44,000 there. Who thought lead would be so heavy.
    As far as my "fast one" statement, it's been my experience, shippers couldn't care less about you once the ink has dried, out the door. It was the drivers responsibility to check the BOL, and if hazardous, placard the trailer accordingly. Some provided placards, most figured you had those "flipper" on the wagon. The "fast one" it seems, is the company here is, due to logistics, is not too cool on what goes with what, and usually learns a stern lesson with a hefty fine. Driver too can face big fines so I'd clear this up pronto. The picture you show doesn't seem to be any problem with the other products you might haul, as long as it's light. I'm sure you are almost there now
     
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