Intrastate Motor Carriers

Do you transport Hazardous materials?

Have you transported a leaking package of hazardous materials or experienced a loading or unloading hazardous materials related leak or spill?

If so, then you must report the leak or spill (incident) to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) even if you are operating wholly within a single state (intrastate commerce).

The motor carrier is responsible for performing the incident reporting functions in accordance with 49 CFR 171.15 and 171.16.

Most hazardous materials are dangerous when they are released. The scene of an incident can be chaotic, and the right actions may not always be obvious.

Whom should I inform if I'm involved in an incident where a release or a suspected release of a hazardous materials has taken place in transportation? The regulations in 49 CFR 171.15 and 171.16 govern such situations. Section 171.15 covers immediate telephonic notification following an incident and 171.16 outlines written reporting procedures.

Reporting a hazardous materials leak or spill is required by law. So whether you call or submit in writing the required report, the data collected is essential to the appropriate investigation of future HAZMAT incidents/patterns. No detail is too small. Each incident reported may help alleviate future problems and may serve as the basis for program and regulatory changes. Choosing the appropriate reporting method (telephonic or written) is explained below.

Telephonic notification Immediate telephonic notification is required, if as a direct result of hazardous materials -

• a person is killed or hospitalized;
• property damage exceeds $50,000;
• evacuation of the general public occurs lasting one or more hours;
• one or more major transportation arteries or facilities are closed or shut down;
• fire, breakage, or spillage of a radioactive or etiologic agent or material occurs;
• marine pollutant release exceeds 450 L (119 gallons liquid) or 400 kg (882 pounds solids); or
• the carrier believes a continuing danger to life exists at the scene, which warrants reporting.

Each carrier who transports hazardous materials shall report, in duplicate, within 30 days of each incident occuring in transport.

Written notification

A detailed written report is required for all applicable hazardous materials releases from a package including a tank. Use DOT form F 5800.1 available on the internet at http://HAZMAT.DOT.GOV or http://FMCSA.DOT.GOV

A hazardous material is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce. These substances and materials can range from the familiar, such as paint and paint strippers, gasoline and diesel fuel, alcohol and peroxide, to the unfamiliar, like dimethylhydrazine and ethylene dibromide.

Where can I learn more?

Contact a DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Division Office nearest you or see the FMCSA website: http://FMCSA.DOT.GOV for a states listing.

Telephonic notification Immediate telephonic notifcation is required, if as a direct result of hazardous materials-

• Telephonic notification a person is killed or hospitalized;
• property damage exceeds $50,000;
• evacuation of the general public occurs lasting one or more hours;
• one or more major transportation arteries or facilities are closed or shut down;
• fire, breakage, or spillage of a radioactive or etiologic agent or material occurs;
• marine pollutant release exceeds 450 L (119 gallons liquid) or 400 kg (882 pounds) for solids; or
• the carrier believes a continuing danger to life exists at the scene, which warrants reporting.

Written Notification

Each carrier who transports hazardous materials shall report, in duplicate, using DOT Form F 5800.1, within 30 days of each incident involving the unintentional release of certain hazardous materials during transportation.

Questions?
Get answers to questions by calling the
Hazardous Materials Information Center at
(800) 467-4922
or by visiting the website:
http://hazmat.dot.gov

Pull Quotes

Effective October 1, 1998, the applicability of the hazardous materials regulations was extended to all intrastate shipments of hazardous materials by highway.

Human error is the probable cause of most transportation incidents and associated consequences involving the release of hazardous materials.

Detailed hazardous materials incident report compliance saves lives.

Carriers should report a hazardous material leak or spill that occurs during the course of transportation, including loading and unloading, transporting, and temporary storage

Together we can curtail transportation incidents involving the unintentional release of hazardous materials.

Julie Anna Cirillo
Assistant Administrator
Chief Safety Officer, FMCSA