One of Saia’s most frequently cited roadside inspection violations of the hazardous materials regulations (HMR) has to do with hazmat paperwork. Drivers cannot accept hazardous material for transportation or transport a hazardous material by highway unless they have received a shipping paper prepared in accordance with Part 172 of HMR shipping paper requirements.

“ISHP” spells out the proper sequence of the basic description required by regulation. “I” represents the identification number, “S” means the proper shipping name, “H” stands for the hazard class, and “P” is for the packing group.

Additionally, the emergency response (ER) telephone number must appear directly before, after, above, or below the shipper’s name. The ER number is the shipper's responsibility to provide in the event that emergency assistance is required with the hazardous material.

Finally, the "shipper’s certification" must be a signed statement that reads, in part: "This is to certify that the above-mentioned materials…” This means the customer is certifying that the hazardous material is as indicated on the bill.

While driving, the driver must have the shipping papers accessible. A driver of a motor vehicle containing hazardous material shall ensure that the required shipping paper is readily available to, and recognizable by, authorities in the event of an accident or inspection. Specifically, the driver and the carrier must be able to clearly distinguish the shipping paper, if it is carried with other shipping papers or other papers of any kind, by either distinctively tabbing it or by having it appear first.

The driver must pay special attention to carrying the shipping papers when hazardous materials are on board. When the driver is at the vehicle's controls, the shipping paper must be within his/her immediate reach while he/she is restrained by the lap belt and either readily visible to a person entering the driver's compartment or in a holder that is mounted to the inside of the door on the driver's side of the vehicle.

When the driver is not at the vehicle's controls, the shipping paper must be in a holder, which is mounted to the inside of the door on the driver's side of the vehicle or on the driver's seat in the vehicle.

Proper completion of the hazmat shipping paperwork, identification of hazardous materials on the bill, and storage of the bills while driving are essential for safe movement and clean roadside inspections.

If you have additional questions about hazardous materials or their proper movement, please contact your regional safety manager.