In Perspective: Handling and Shipping Hazardous Chemicals, Featuring CHEMTREC CEO John Modine

In Perspective: Handling & Shipping Hazardous Chemicals

Workplace Material Handling and Safety recently sat down with John Modine, CEO, CHEMTREC, to talk about how companies can stay up to date with their hazardous materials training and much more. Read on for this exclusive, in-depth interview.

CHEMTREC PROVIDES INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR SHIPPERS OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. WHAT TYPES OF SUPPORT DO YOU OFFER?

The U.S. Department of Transportation, along with au­thorities in many other countries, requires all shippers of hazardous materials to include a 24-hour emergency phone number on all hazardous material shipping papers (49 CFR § 172.604). By registering with CHEMTREC, customers will receive access to our emergency response phone number for shipping hazardous materials. We also offer Safety Data Sheet (SDS) services, online hazmat training and regulatory information on shipping hazmat.

WHY SHOULD BUSINESSES REGISTER WITH CHEMTREC?

CHEMTREC is trusted by companies worldwide. Wewere established in 1971 as the world's first emergency call center and have become the leader in hazmat emer­gency response. We establish a critical link between shippers, carriers, emergency response and medical per­ sonnel, chemical experts and law enforcement agencies during incidents involving hazardous materials. Our emergency response phone number helps you stay com­pliant with U.S. DOT and international shipping reg­ulations and helps keep your employees safe during a hazardous material spill, leak or exposure.

HOW DOES WORKING WITH CHEMTREC PROMOTE OVERALL SAFETY FOR EMPLOYEES?

CHEMTREC is more than just a call center; we're an ex­perienced partner who can help reduce risk and internal burdens, so your organization can succeed and grow. Our emergency call center is here around the clock to offer peace of mind and immediate assistance from a team of fully-trained and experienced hazardous materials emer­gency response service specialists.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINING?

Shipping hazardous  materials is highly dangerous for employees and the environment, so it is important for workers to complete required training and stay up to date on any changes that may occur. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires employees involved in any part of hazardous materials transportation to complete hazmat training and to renew their certification every three years.

I UNDERSTAND YOU LAUNCHED TWO NEW ONLINE TRAINING COURSES. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THESE COURSES?

The courses provide training for employees involved in the handling, packaging and transport of hazardous mate­rials. Employees will learn what hazardous materials are and how they are classified; how to pack, mark and label hazmat items; how to prepare shipping papers; safety and security awareness; and emergency response guidance. The courses meet the training requirements for DOT's 49 CFR, 172.

WHAT CAN ATTENDEES EXPECT FROM THE HAZMAT SUMMIT IN OCTOBER? WHAT WILL THEY GET OUT  OF ATTENDING?

CHEMTREC's International Hazmat Summit is an event for all interested parties involved in the safe transpor ­tation, handling and use of hazardous materials. The Summit will showcase country-by-country differences and regional challenges of shipping hazardous materials, as well as emerging developments in emergency response. Attendees will learn about using incident data to identify trends and how to take proactive steps to improve safe shipping. The Summit will also feature training and com­petency assessments for personnel involved with ship­ ping and handling dangerous goods.

WHAT' S YOUR LAST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR COMPANIES WHO AREN'T REGISTERED WITH CHEMTREC?

Having an emergency telephone number on your ship­ping documents is only the first step. To protect yourself in the event of a hazmat incident, like a spill, you also need a chemical emergency response partner in place. When you register with CHEMTREC, you gain access to an extensive array of services, including 24-hour emer­gency response and medical specialists, language inter­pretation services, regulatory information and incident reporting. Many of our customers  also  take advantage of our incident prevention services. We can walk your employees through hazmat handling procedures, so that your company is less likely to have an incident. WMHS