If you need to ship hazardous or dangerous materials, there are specific safety protocols that you'll need to follow. Without proper safety protocol, your shipments could create serious risks for everyone involved. Before you send off the next shipment of hazardous or dangerous materials, be sure to read the information provided below. Here are four tips that will help you to avoid accidents and injuries. 

Identify Risks Involved With What You're Shipping

When it comes to shipping hazardous or dangerous items, it's important that you identify the risks involved. Unfortunately, not all business owners take the time to understand the hazardous nature of the items they're sending out into the shipping network. This is especially true for items such as batteries. Now that the holidays are here, many business owners will be shipping battery-operated products. Unfortunately, even batteries can pose a serious risk during the shipping process. To reduce the risk, be sure to understand the risks involved with every potentially hazardous or dangerous product you plan to ship. 

Understand Proper Packaging Protocol

If you need to ship dangerous or hazardous materials, be sure to follow the right packaging protocols. This is especially important if you plan to ship your materials in drums or cartons. The packages you use as shipping containers must be made from materials that can withstand damage, including leaks. If you're shipping corrosive materials, be sure to use packaging that provides maximum protection for that type of material. 

Provide Clear and Legible Package Labeling

When it comes to shipping dangerous or hazardous materials, make sure you provide clear and legible package labeling, especially if you plan to reuse shipping containers. It's not uncommon for shipping containers to include a variety of labels. Under normal circumstances, this doesn't pose much of a problem. However, when you're shipping hazardous or dangerous materials, labeling issues can cause serious problems. Before you reuse shipping containers, make sure that all the outdated labels are removed. Then, make sure that the labels you attach are clear, detailed, and easy to read. 

Don't Stop Short on Employee Training

Finally, if you need to ship dangerous or hazardous materials on a regular basis, make sure your employees have the proper training. You may think that your shipments are safe, as long as you have a specially-trained crew for the task. But, if other employees also handle the shipments, they need the same level of training as you have. After all, you never know when your trained crew will need additional help, or when an emergency will arise that requires all hands on deck. The best way to ensure maximum safety is to provide the proper training for all of your employees. 

For more information about shipping hazardous materials, contact a local shipping professional.

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