No one likes getting fined!
If you haul freight with hazardous materials, there’re special rules you need to follow. Things like being registered and having your load properly classed, described, packaged, marked, and labeled are requirements for hazmat carriers.
You also need to follow the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) hazardous material regulations. To help you avoid fines and learn your requirements, here’s a list of the top 10 hazmat violations in 2015.
| Violation Code | Violation Description | # of Violations |
| 1. 177.834A | Package not secure in vehicle-Make sure your load is secure when you haul a hazmat load. This helps reduce damage | 1,207 |
| 2. 107.620B | No copy of U.S. DOT Hazardous materials registration number-Have your registration number posted on your truck and trailer. | 1,197 |
| 3. 172.516C6 | Placard damaged, deteriorated or obscured-Be sure your placard is readable and not damaged. | 998 |
| 4. 177.817A | No shipping papers (carrier)-Make sure your drivers have the right hazmat shipping papers before they take any hazmat food. | 770 |
| 5. 172.504A | Vehicle not placarded as required-Placards must be on each side and each end of your truck. | 770 |
| 6. 177.817E | Shipping paper accessibility-Have your shipping papers ready to give to authorities in case of an accident or inspection. | 761 |
| 7. 172.602A | Emergency response information missing-Emergency response papers must have all the right hazmat information. | 606 |
| 8. 172.202A | Failure to enter basic description of hazardous materials in the right order-Your shipping papers must have the right shipping description. | 604 |
| 9. 172.502A1 | Not having carrier-required placards-As a carrier, it’s your responsibility to make sure your trucks have hazardous materials placards. | 571 |
| 10. 177.823A | No placards or markings when required-Hazmat trucks must be properly marked and placarded. | 459 |
For more information on these violations, visit the FMCSA’s website. Thanks to our friends at Higginbotham for the great tips!
Call 855-369-APEX (2739) to see how our Startup, freight factoring and fuel programs can help you keep more money in your trucking company where it belongs.