Search

When Shipping Fireworks Goes Wrong

Posted on 7/1/2022 by Roger Marks

This year’s Independence Day celebration started one week early in New Jersey, when a truck carrying a reported 10,000 pounds of fireworks caught fire on Route 287. No injuries were reported, and motorists stuck behind the incident were treated to an impromptu pyrotechnic display, shown in the video below from News 12 NJ.

According to reports, the fire started when a piece of equipment on the truck caught fire. Before the driver could put it out, the flames spread to the hazardous cargo.

All lanes of traffic were closed for several hours as a local task force and volunteer firefighters worked to subdue the blaze.
 

Fireworks As Hazardous Materials

Most commercial fireworks are regulated as Division 1.4G explosive materials in transportation. Like nearly all hazardous materials, Division 1.4G explosives are subject to extensive US DOT requirements for packaging, markings and labels, and documentation. Employees who prepare and handle shipments must complete required hazmat training (see 49 CFR 172.704).

Based on hazmat incident reporting data available from DOT/PHMSA, transportation incidents involving fireworks are relatively rare. Since 2010, common causes of incidents that included a release of a 1.4G material include:
  • Failure to block and brace cargo
  • Dropped packages and containers
  • Packages punctured with forklifts or sharp objects
More frequently, reported incidents involve undeclared fireworks—in other words, packages or containers that are not marked or labeled to indicate the presence of hazardous materials. These packages were often discovered at freight sorting facilities, by air carriers, or during transportation.

When Shipping Fireworks Goes Wrong

Upcoming Hazmat Training Workshops 

Develop a step-by-step process to ship hazardous materials/dangerous goods by ground and air, in full compliance with US DOT and international regulations. These upcoming workshops are built to help satisfy 49 CFR (DOT) and IATA DGR training mandates for shippers and "hazmat employees."  
 
Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT)
Hazmat Air Shipper Certification (IATA) 

  Ground Shipper (DOT)  Air Shipper (IATA)
Nashville July 13–14 July 15
Dallas July 25–26 July 27
Orlando Aug. 3–4 Aug. 5
Houston Aug. 16–17 Aug. 18
Los Angeles    Sept. 14–15 Sept. 16
Chicago Oct. 5–6 Oct. 7
 

Later this year: Hazmat training workshops come to St. Louis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Hartford in Fall/Winter 2022. Find upcoming training at Lion.com/Hazmat

US DOT requires training once every 3 years for all hazmat employees (49 CFR 172.704).
For air shippers, the IATA DGR requires training once every 2 years (IATA DGR 1.5)

Tags: DOT compliance, hazmat shipping, hazmat training, shipping fireworks

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

One of the best trainings I have ever received!

Brandon Morfin

EH&S Manager

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

Lion does a great job summarizing and communicating complicated EH&S-related regulations.

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

What to do before, during, and after a RCRA hazardous waste inspection to defend your site from rising State and Federal penalties.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.