1.3 Shipping Papers and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

1.3 Shipping Papers and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

In the event of a hazardous materials transportation incident, obtaining immediate, accurate information about the cargo is paramount. Shipping papers serve as the primary written record of the hazardous materials being transported. They provide essential details including the proper shipping name of the chemical, its hazard class, the four-digit UN/NA identification number, the packaging group, and the quantity of the material. For an Awareness-level responder, locating these papers without entering the hazard zone is a critical initial action. Because different modes of transportation have unique naming conventions and storage locations for shipping papers, responders must know exactly where to look and who to contact.

Transportation Modes and Shipping Paper Details

The terminology, storage locations, and responsible personnel for shipping papers are standardized by federal law across four distinct transport modes.

• Highway (Roadways):
  • Document Name: Bill of Lading or shipping paper.
  • Location: Must be kept within arm's reach of the driver, typically in a pocket on the driver's door or on the driver's seat. If the driver leaves the vehicle, the papers must be left on the seat or in the door pocket.
  • Custodian: The driver (operator) of the vehicle.
• Rail (Railroads):
  • Document Name: Waybill or consist (a list of all cars in the train and their contents, in order).
  • Location: Kept in the possession of the train crew, usually in the lead locomotive or engine cab.
  • Custodian: The conductor (or engineer).
• Air (Aviation):
  • Document Name: Air Bill or air waybill.
  • Location: Kept in the flight deck (cockpit) or attached to the outside of the cargo container.
  • Custodian: The pilot (captain/crew).
• Water (Maritime):
  • Document Name: Dangerous Cargo Manifest.
  • Location: Kept in the wheelhouse (bridge) of the vessel or in a designated custody box on the deck or barge.
  • Custodian: The captain (master) of the vessel or the barge operator.

Summary of Shipping Paper Regulations by Transport Mode

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and the GHS Standard

While shipping papers are specific to materials in transit, the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is the definitive hazard communication document for chemicals in both fixed facilities and workplace environments. Formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), these documents were standardized globally under the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), which was adopted by OSHA in the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). An SDS is a highly detailed, 16-section document provided by chemical manufacturers and distributors. It details a substance's physical properties, hazards, safe handling, and emergency response measures.

Key Sections of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

For the NFPA 470 exam, responders must know where to find specific information within the 16-section SDS format. The exam focuses heavily on five specific sections:

• Section 1: Identification: Identifies the chemical name, manufacturer, and recommended uses. Crucially, it lists the manufacturer's emergency telephone number (e.g., CHEMTREC) for immediate assistance during an incident.
• Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification: Details the hazards of the chemical, including GHS classification, signal words (such as "DANGER" or "WARNING"), hazard statements, and precautionary statements. It also displays GHS pictograms (such as a flame for flammability or a corroding tube for corrosives).
• Section 4: First-Aid Measures: Describes the initial care that untrained responders can give to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical. It outlines actions based on the route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact) and details immediate medical attention requirements.
• Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection: Lists exposure limits, such as OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). Most importantly for responders, it specifies the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including the type of respiratory protection and chemical-resistant clothing needed to safely handle the material.
• Section 14: Transport Information: Provides regulatory classifications for shipping, including the proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and packaging group. This section connects the workplace safety document directly to the DOT transportation codes.

Incident Scene Procedures for Awareness Responders

Awareness-level responders do not perform offensive operations, but they are responsible for gathering information. When arriving at a hazmat incident:

1. Maintain a safe distance: Use binoculars to look for placards or containers.
2. Retrieve shipping papers: If it is safe to do so, obtain the shipping papers from the driver, conductor, pilot, or captain.
3. Reference the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): Use the four-digit UN number from the shipping papers to find the appropriate guide page.
4. Initiate notifications: Contact the local dispatch, CHEMTREC, or the National Response Center (NRC) with the exact chemical names, quantities, and UN numbers obtained from the shipping papers.