Every day, individuals at companies and warehouses across America make operational decisions on how to transport hazardous materials from the manufacturing or warehouse floor, into the hands of their customers, efficiently and safely.
Failure to adhere to the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and the Hazardous Materials Regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”), as well as other applicable hazardous material transportation regulations, can lead to significant penalties and fines. While some products are clearly hazardous materials, others are less obviously so. The host of regulatory requirements pertaining to their classification, packaging, labeling, shipping documentation, training requirements, and emergency response procedures required to transport such products can leave many companies uncertain or unprepared.
Clients including product manufacturers, large retailers and utilities, trucking companies, freight forwarders, and brokers turn to us to clarify the issues surrounding the transport of hazardous materials and help keep them in compliance. Our experienced transportation team guides clients through air, rail, truck and maritime HAZMAT compliance issues involving all U.S. federal regulations as well as international requirements under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air; the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations; and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
for issues that arise, a calm correction
Even with best intentions and efforts, mistakes relating to hazardous material transport can still happen, leaving companies on the receiving end of a letter of investigation or other action. Through our decades of experience, we understand what the relevant agencies are looking for in terms of responsibility and remediation of HAZMAT violations. We work with the company and its HAZMAT employees to craft a practical corrective action plan that includes refresher training, shows management’s commitment to HAZMAT compliance, and the additional steps that the client plans to take to ensure that such violations are not likely to occur again.
continuing coverage if HAZMAT issues expand into other areas
Our HAZMAT-related legal services are just one component of our full-service transportation industry practice, which covers all four modes of transportation and their relevant agencies. If a hazardous material incident occurs, during transport on a truck or a plane, for example, we don’t simply part ways with you at the DOT, PHMSA, or FAA. Rather, our firm also has EPA litigators in place to step in seamlessly and collaboratively, to help resolve your matter from start to finish.
Potential HAZMAT risks only continue to rise, with the rapid advancement and adoption of technologies such as lithium batteries.
We help clients get their hazardous material shipments properly classified, packaged, labeled, and documented in compliance with all federal regulations and applicable international codes, instructions, and regulations.
Clients’ most urgent HAZMAT needs and emergencies are handled by our dedicated team with the highest degree of responsiveness.
We have decades of experience with the relevant agencies, and we fully understand what they are looking for in responses from their industry partners.
