**Compliance Alert**                                                                                                                                              **Compliance Alert**

DOT "Turns Up The Heat" On Hazmat Permit Holders

 

According to an article posted in USA Today, over the last 10 years, The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) failed to conduct required background and safety checks for some 20-30,000 carriers who were issued Hazmat Permits over the last decade.

Before a Hazmat Permit can be issued, the DOT performs carrier evaluations which include background, training and safety checks to insure the carrier is an acceptable risk. According to DOT records, permits were issued to industry trade groups who in turn allowed their member companies to use the permits. In doing so, none of the individual carriers were subjected to evaluations the DOT normally performs.

 

Compounding the problem is the fact that the DOT, because of the nature of the permits and the way they were issued, admits they don't know the extent of the problem or exactly which carriers are or operating under these permits.

Because of this major oversight, the DOT has announced that beginning immediately, they will require all companies to file new permit applications AND undergo "fitness reviews" which include safety assessments, reviews of training documentation and certification and general carrier fitness to ship hazardous materials.

"DOT's responsibility is to police motor carriers and keep the public safe in the process".  "Because thousands of companies are operating under these "blanket" permits, the DOT really has no choice but to be extremely aggressive". said Jeff Kline, President of Compliance Solutions in Denver, CO. he added "Over the next few years, companies that ship hazmat should pay particularly close attention to all aspects of their hazmat operations. Companies that do not, can expect to see substantial fines". Mr. Kline added, "I can pretty much guarantee that a hazmat carrier will be paid a visit from the DOT. I would suggest they take a close look at training records and the shipping process now. You don't want to be backpedaling when you renew your Hazmat Permit".

DOT fines can be steep for hazmat violations. Shipping Hazmat without training personnel carries a fine of $32,000 per occurrence, per day. Even carriers with small staffs of 2-5 people, shipping one to two hazmat  loads per day, can result in fines exceeding $1 million dollars in a very short time.

Information on Instructor Led training courses, online training (web-based) and on-site training for groups can be found by clicking the links below. Please contact a Compliance Specialist at 800-711-2706 Ext 1 if you have questions on certification or need additional information.

Instructor-Led (Seminar) Hazmat Transportation Courses

Online (Web-Based) Hazmat Transportation Courses

On-Site Training Quote Request-Hazmat Transportation