Driving Lesson : Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Material is any material prescribed as such by any written law and includes explosives, petroleum products and any material involving high risk.

Hazardous materials are solids, liquids, or gases that are harmful to people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. They are often subject to chemical regulations.

Characteristics of Hazardous Goods

• Flammable; something that can burn easily

• Corrosive, something that rusts or decomposes

• Reactive; something that can explode

• Toxic; something that is poisonous

Before handling hazardous material, the driver is required to get legal approval that requires special equipment and different alterations to the vehicle to make it suitable for transporting any of these materials.

Hazmat Endorsement Framework is an assessment process for any driver seeking to obtain, renew and transfer a hazardous materials endorsement on a commercial driver’s license.

Classification of Hazardous Materials

• Gases

• Flammable Liquids

• Flammable Solids

• Oxidizing Substances

• Toxic & Infectious Substances

• Radioactive Material

• Corrosives

• Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

Each class of hazardous material has a prescribed procedure for loading and offloading that the driver should adhere to.

In Kenya, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS), National Environmental Management Agency (NEMA) and NTSA coordinate licencing for transportation of hazardous goods.

Do not handle hazardous material unless you have the appropriate licencing to do so.