Best Practices for HazMat Transportation
By Staff
Batteries power the use of our everyday items and that continues to rise with the use of handheld electronics, consumer appliances, electronic vehicles and more. When the battery life ends, it is essential to recycle it while following all the relevant environmental regulations. Throwing away batteries can be potentially dangerous and toxic to the environment. To ensure proper disposal and transportation, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA) of 1974 was signed into law in 1975, in the US.
Know More About the HAZMAT Transport Law
Trucks carrying hazardous materials (HAZMAT) need to comply with the Hazardous Material Transportation Act (HMTA), which was formed due to the concerns about over hazardous materials lying in garbage and spreading toxicity.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) conducts periodic surveys to check if truck drivers comply with the regulations. These truck drivers need to maintain a copy of their certifications, registration number, shipping papers, and so on. Any type of batteries shipped as hazardous materials need to comply with HAZMAT regarding security plan(s), segregation method, descriptions of materials in a container, packaging methodology, labeling, training of the personnel to handle these items, and more. One important document drivers need is the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which comprises the details of the hazardous materials being hauled. Also, trucker drivers and teams handling these hazardous materials need to take the Dangerous Goods Training, to get the relevant certification to be able to handle and haul hazardous materials.
For international shipments of hazardous materials, the truckers and shippers need to get the required Intermodal Dangerous Goods (IMFG) form. After all, some hazardous materials may not be allowed in some countries, and this needs to be checked beforehand. The shipping route also needs to be designed accordingly.
More on the Management of Damaged and Expired Batteries
As mentioned before, damaged and expired batteries need to be handled carefully, and in compliance with the given requirements. True battery management and recycling is a specialized field and therefore it is important to work with an experienced and well educated team. Understanding the full supply chain is required to comply with all rules and regulations and you will want to ensure your team understands requirements when crossing boarders locally or federally.
To support this expanding and critical field, governments are now encouraging companies to set up facilities in specific locations. Governments are offering tax relief and concessions based on certain terms and conditions. This is one way to increase the number of companies in this segment.
Concerns Regarding Transportation of Damaged Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are increasingly used in various devices, especially cars and this segment has gained traction in recent years. Damaged or leaking Li-ion batteries can be extremely toxic and combustible even in case of minimal exposure to outside air. They can cause fires and the electrode chemical used inside can be lethal. These types of battery characteristics has gained the attention of governments and legal authorities and is a reason penalties are being imposed for those not properly handling or transporting lithium batteries. When shipping these batteries, it is crucial to know all the rules regarding various modes of transport and their regulations, the type and size of the battery, and its storage and packaging rules when shipping.
Whether you have to recycle or dispose car batteries, household batteries, or a commercial battery, ensure you use the right resources to ship them safely. Contact a service provider who offers DOT-certified, as well as HAZMAT-certified drivers, who can also help provide education on packaging, or load and unload such hazardous materials from the truck. Battery Solutions is one of the leading players in this segment.
The company offers various services related battery recycling management including deinstallation of lithium-ion batteries, battery recycling collection boxes, loading and unloading of hazardous battery material from client locations and delivery to recycling centers through their reverse logistics team. The battery recycling containers, with UN approved containers, are extremely popular with clients for easy office collection and comes with pre-paid shipping, pre-paid recycling, and a FREE Confirmation of Reclamation (COR) Request card.
The team at Battery Solutions has a specialized logistical group with DOT, IMDG, HAZWOPER and HazMat certified drivers who assure reliable on-time pickups and provide on-site support for packaging, regulatory compliances, as well as other emergency services. With its coast-to-coast coverage, expertise in handling hazardous materials and a specialized fleet to contain hazardous materials, we can easily handle any type of load.
Battery Solutions’ end-to-end battery management solutions and has been helps businesses and households to safely dispose their damaged batteries and reduce carbon footprint.