Surprise Inspection Blitz on Hazmat Vehicles in June Placed Nearly 600 Vehicles OOS

From June 9-13 the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducted an unannounced hazmat inspection blitz across North America. Of the 4,629 inspections conducted, inspectors found 1,169 hazmat violations and placed 598 vehicles out-of-service.

The transportation of hazmat and dangerous goods (Canada) demands rigorous training and compliance requirements. For motor carriers and drivers, safely transporting such goods is imperative to the safety of the driver and public. For inspectors, inspecting vehicles transporting such goods is a complex process that involves safely looking for leaking materials or unsecured cargo, and verifying shipping papers, placarding, marking, labeling, packaging and loading compliance.

Top violations in the U.S. included Non-bulk packaging, marking of bulk packages, not placarding of bulk packages and not having emergency response information in the vehicle.  Top Canadian violations included not having TDG Training Certificates and Large Means of Containment Placarding.

This is a lesson in making sure all hazmat drivers are trained and have proper credentials to operate placarded vehicles.