I remember when I first started in the industry and saw CANUTEC and CHEMTREC emergency response numbers on bills of lading I really didn’t understand what they were for. I knew there was a requirement to have a 24-hour emergency response number, but I wasn’t really sure what it was all about. I’m sure there must be others who wonder what exactly these services do. It thought it would be a good idea to put together a summary for all of my Chemical Transportation readers.
First, you should register with them, they can be of more help that way. They should have info on all of your chemical transportation shipments on file. However, they are still a resource for first responders regardless. From the CHEMTREC website, here’s how they define what they do:
What is CHEMTREC’s Role?
Registration with CHEMTREC® helps to enable shippers of hazardous materials to comply with the US Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulation 49 CFR § 172.604, which requires hazmat shippers to provide a 24-hour emergency telephone number on shipping documents for use in the event of an emergency involving hazardous materials.
When do the Hazardous Materials Regulations apply?
It is the shipper’s responsibility to determine whether the product being shipped is subject to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). The Hazardous Materials Table contained in the HMR (49 CFR 172.101) is a listing of proper shipping names. If the product to be shipped is identified in the table, then it is usually regulated by the HMR. If the product is not listed in the Hazardous Materials Table, it is incumbent upon the shipper to determine if the product meets one of DOT’s hazard classes (49 CFR §173.2) and is therefore subject to the regulations.
CANUTEC is the Canadian version. Here’s what their website has to say:
CANUTEC is the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre operated by Transport Canada to assist emergency response personnel in handling dangerous goods emergencies. This national bilingual advisory centre was established in 1979 and is part of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate. CANUTEC is one of the major programs instituted by Transport Canada to promote public safety during movement of people and goods in Canada
CANUTEC has set up a scientific data bank on chemicals manufactured, stored and transported in Canada and is staffed by professional scientists specialized in emergency response and experienced in interpreting technical information and providing advice.
CANUTEC also offers a 24-hour emergency telephone service. Shippers who wish to use CANUTEC’s emergency telephone number on their dangerous goods shipping documents, must first register with CANUTEC at (613) 992-4624. In Canada, registration with CANUTEC is free of charge.
Link to CHEMTREC: http://www.chemtrec.com/Chemtrec/
Link to CANUTEC: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/canutec/menu.htm