Hazardous Materials Incident Prevention Manual - Foreword - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

This manual has been prepared on behalf of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help reduce the number of hazardous materials incidents during transportation. It is directed towards transportation by commercial vehicles but includes loading, unloading and temporary storage issues. The focus is on management policy, employee training, equipment usage and inspection activities. Where appropriate, incident mitigation approaches have been included as the response to a hazardous materials incident has an important effect on the final outcome.

Safety and hazardous materials specialists can use this manual in guiding carrier and handling companies towards improved safety. Management within companies can use this manual in reviewing policies and promoting dialogue relating to hazardous materials incidents. Hazardous materials employees can benefit from reviewing and practicing the many safety tips provided specifically for their area of responsibilities.

The manual is not intended to provide interpretation of Federal Regulations, nor does it set out criteria for judging the performance of hazardous materials employees in particular circumstances.

In addition to the FHWA Office of Motor Carriers, the help and guidance of the following organizations is acknowledged:

American Trucking Associations	O.J. Transport Co.
America's Road Team	Semistar Corporation
Amoco Oil Company	Shell Oil Company
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance	U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
DuPont Company	U.S. DOT Transportation Safety Institute
Great West Casualty Company	Yellow Freight Systems
Groendyke Transportation	J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Hach Company	Triodyne, Inc., Vehicle & Mobile Equipment Center First Edition 1995

Special thanks to Thomas Zabinski in the Triodyne Graphic Communications Department for designing and developing the format of the manual.

Suggestions and comments for future editions would be welcomed by the FHWA.