Undeclared Hazardous Materials And Incident Reporting

The US DOT is in the process of re-writing the Hazardous Materials Incident Report, DOT Form F 5800.1. If a hazardous material incident occurs while a package is in transport (CFR 49, 171.16(a)), then it is required that the incident must be logged using the DOT F 5800.1 as stipulated. One outcome of recording this information is that it gives DOT the ability to determine if the current performance test requirements on packagings are responsive to the rigors of in-field transport. In fact, most shippers underestimate or have little knowledge about the significant forces to which packages are exposed to in air, sea, road and rail transport. If not already familiar, you can learn more about the Incident Reporting Procedure at hazmat.dot.gov.