If you work for a company that handles and ships haz-mat, then making sure you are familliar with the DOT regulations for LTL shipping is very important. Here are some quick tips to help:

1) Each BOL is required to have the UN#, proper DOT product description, (chemical name in paranthesis) hazard class #, and finally packing group.

2) Shippers are asked to provide the driver with placards to mark their vehicle of the hazardous product type they are carrying. This assists crews who might be responding to an accident or incident and drivers loading freight of various product types. For example: drivers wouldn't load poison and food in the same trailer.

3) Itemizing your BOL(s) that include multiple hazmat products is important - if you are shipping a drum, pails, and totes of different material, then your BOL should have each hazardous item listed on its own line.

4) What if your freight experiences a spill or contamination incident? An emergency contact needs to be listed that the carrier can reach 24/7 on the BOL.

5) Not sure if your freight/paperwork is up to par? Always reach out to your local carrier directly. Drivers are also trained on proper shipping, and what they need to get your freight loaded and moving.