Waterways - Incident Reporting and Security

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 also complete a written Hazardous Materials Incident Report within 30 days. However, if a requirement listed in §171.15 applies, you do not need to notify the NRC or CDC by phone.

Radioactive and, or, Infectious Substances incidents must be reported to the National Response Center (NRC) as soon as possible in the event of a fire, breakage, spillage, or suspected radioactive contamination from a radioactive material. The NRC is also the sole federal point of contact for reporting oil and chemical oil spills.

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.

You must notify the NRC or Centers for Disease Control (CDC 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.

Other 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

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

Note that previously, PHMSA allowed the use of alphanumeric emergency contact numbers, which are telephone numbers that substitute numeric digits with their corresponding letters on the telephone dial pad. In 2016, PHMSA has issued a new ruling requiring the use of only numerals in emergency contact phone numbers on shipping papers.

To learn more about Waterways HAZMAT visit our DOT Waterways HAZMAT Online Training web page.