The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has certain labeling requirements for businesses and drivers who transport hazardous materials. These requirements help ensure the safety of everyone involved, from the manufacturer to the driver to the receiver. Today, Label Solutions explains more about D.O.T. labels, when you might need them, and why they are important.
Related Post: Regulatory Compliance for Different Industries
What Are DOT Labels?
Nobody wants a surprise, especially if it involves hazardous materials. D.O.T. hazmat labels give you forewarning of the hazards that are contained inside each package. The labels are diamond-shaped, color-matched, and have pictograms of the hazard and the class that the material belongs in. They also include special handling instructions. Some examples are “flammable gas” labels, “explosive” labels, and “poison” labels, which are all required to meet certain label design specifications.
When You Might Need DOT Labels
D.O.T. labels must also be durable and weather-resistant since they are exposed to harsh outdoor conditions during transportation. Here is when you might need D.O.T. labels:
You Are Shipping Hazardous Materials
Safety is the highest priority in the shipping and receiving industries. If you are shipping a package that includes hazardous materials, you will need to comply with D.O.T. label regulations. When labeling a package for hazmat, apply labels for both the primary and subsidiary hazard.
The D.O.T. labels can help you communicate hazards to your employees before the item ships, so they know what they are handling before it gets placed on a truck. This is just one example of how D.O.T. labels identify hazards and make shipping a safer process at every point of transit.
Related Post: How Do Compliant and Non-Compliant Labels Differ?
You Are Transporting Hazardous Materials Over the Road
Whether you are dispatcher, or you have your own company drivers, everyone who is involved should understand D.O.T. requirements. Sometimes carriers need to place hazmat in specific locations on a vehicle, and D.O.T. labels help clarify the separation.
Placing D.O.T. labels on hazardous materials will ensure your products arrive safely at their destination without hefty fines or rejections. If you are scheduling the transportation of hazardous materials, D.O.T. labels can prevent delays and keep your drivers safe on the road.
Related Post: Label Solutions Explains More About Regulatory Compliance
Contact Label Solutions to Learn More
Label Solutions offers in-house regulatory compliance services relating to DOT, OSHA, and other governing bodies. Our proactive communication, precise knowledge, and attention to detail enable us to help our customers stay in compliance. We encourage you to continue browsing our website or contact a label expert today to learn more!