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 created a great learning environment.

Avinash Thummadi

CAD & Environmental Manager

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This report details major changes for hazardous waste generators from US EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule, as well as the latest updates from states that are still working to adopt new, stricter Federal requirements.

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.