Driver (CDL) - Incident Reporting

Despite all the precautions laid out in the HMR, incidents do happen. When HAZMAT is released, it can damage property and the environment, and it can cause injuries and fatalities. If a HAZMAT incident occurs, it must be reported in accordance with the HMR.

Reporting requirements are the responsibility of the carrier. These incidents must be reported as soon as possible, but no later than 12 hours after the incident occurs. For any HAZMAT incident, you must complete a written Hazardous Materials Incident Report after a telephone notification within 30 days.

Radioactive and Infectious Substances incidents must be reported to the National Response Center (NRC) at (800) 424-8802 or (202) 267-2675 as soon as possible in the event of a fire, breakage, spillage, or suspected radioactive contamination from a radioactive material. You must also notify the shipper as soon as possible. You must notify the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at (800) 232-0124 as soon as possible in the event of a fire, breakage, spillage, or suspected contamination involving an infectious substance other than a diagnostic medicine or regulated medical waste.

Marine Pollutants incidents must be reported to the NRC as soon as possible but no later than 12 hours after discovering the event. Reportable quantities apply to amounts greater than 450 L (119 gallons) for a liquid or 400 kg (882 pounds) for a solid.

HAZMAT incidents that result in any of the following also require notification to the NRC or CDC as soon as possible:

• A person is killed
• An individual requires hospitalization for an injury
• Evacuation of the general public lasts for one hour or more
• A major transportation artery or facility is closed or shut down for one hour or more
• A situation exists that the person in possession of the hazardous material deems to be a continuing danger to life

Any person in physical possession of a hazardous material at the time of an incident that occurs during transportation, including loading, unloading, and temporary storage, must submit a Hazardous Materials Incident Report. The report must be submitted on DOT Form F 5800.1 within 30 days of the incident.

Incident reporting is described in §171.15 and §171.16 of the HMR.

To learn more about CDL HAZMAT Transportation visit our DOT Driver (CDL) HAZMAT Transportation Online Training web page.