Search

Derailed Train Spills Hazmat Near D.C.

Posted on 5/4/2016 by Roger Marks

A tanker carrying more than 15,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide derailed along with several other cars near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station in Washington D.C. over the weekend. About half of the sodium hydroxide is thought to have been released onto the rail bed and the ground.

No injuries were reported, and crews are working to contain and clean up the spilled chemicals. 
Sodium hydroxide is a Class 8 (corrosive) hazardous material shipped under UN number 1823. The chemical can cause burning and irritation to eyes, skin, and mucous membranes in humans and, if inhaled, can irritate the respiratory system as well.

Hazmat spill incident response

Who Responds to a Hazmat Spill?

Sodium hydroxide is one of many hazardous materials covered under US DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) at 49 CFR Parts 100–181. Hazardous materials listed in the hazmat table in the 49 CFR regulations are one of many kinds of hazardous substances covered under OSHA’s HAZWOPER Standard.

HAZWOPER, short for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, is an OSHA safety standard designed to protect personnel who respond to releases of hazardous substances (including DOT regulated hazmat), clean up uncontrolled hazardous waste sites, and work at Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs).

To help fire, EMS, and other first responders act quickly and effectively in a hazmat spill situation, US DOT PHMSA publishes the Emergency Response Guidebook, or ERG, to provide critical information at the site of a transportation incident. Recently, PHMSA released a new, 2016 ERG in English and Spanish.

Hazmat Workshops for Ground, Air, and Vessel Shippers

Be confident you know the US and international regulations to keep your hazmat shipments moving safely and on time. At the Complete Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Workshops, you’ll get up to speed with new and changing 49 CFR, IATA, and IMDG Code rules for ground air, and vessel shipments.
Don’t let a new rule you don’t know slow down your supply chain. Sign up now for expert training and get a full year of Lion Membership for fast answers to your questions, rule updates and exclusive content, easy-to-use regulations updated throughout the year, discounts on select Lion products, and more.   

Tags: 49, CFR, hazmat shipping, HAZWOPER

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

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

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

I have attended other training providers, but Lion is best. Lion is king of the hazmat jungle!!!

Henry Watkins

Hazardous Waste Technician

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

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

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

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.