Register Hazmat employees in training courses which include compulsory evaluations. Encourage and support Hazmat employee training by recognizing successful completion of training courses. Encourage Hazmat employees to share training materials and tips learned at training courses. Encourage Hazmat employees to help develop each others' skills. In the event of an emergency situation, it is critical that the primary hazards associated with a shipment be communicated to emergency response personnel and to other people in the immediate area.
Placards enable the hazards of a cargo to be identified from a distance.
Personnel who are properly trained may detect placarding procedures which do not comply with regulations and thereby avoid dangerous and costly errors at an emergency scene. Train personnel in the importance of placarding. Encourage use of specific placards when necessary. Shipping papers are the most important source of information available to identify the hazardous materials involved in an incident. The first emergency response is often determined by the information contained in the shipping papers.