CAPT. JARED FLETCHER
210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team,
10th Mountain Division (LI)
Fort Drum, New York

Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) include a wide variety of substances that can be harmful to human health, the environment and property if appropriate considerations are not taken when handling. These materials can range from nuclear to chemical or biological and be found as common household items or in industry.

HAZMAT safety is the systematic management of these dangerous substances to minimize the risk of exposure and incidents. It involves strict procedures for storage, transportation and disposal, as well as training for workers to prevent mishaps and ensure public safety. The Army, and across the Department of Defense (DOD), does an adequate job at providing the appropriate training to handle, transport and store HAZMAT safely. However, it is up to the leadership to identify the need and send the right Soldier, in the right job, to the right training to build and sustain an effective and efficient HAZMAT handling program.

One of the primary principles of HAZMAT safety is the proper identification and classification of hazardous materials. The U.S. Department of Transportation has established nine classes of hazardous materials, ranging from explosives and flammable liquids to toxic substances and corrosive materials. The type of HAZMAT will dictate the necessary precautions and protective measures required when handling the substance. The accompanying safety data sheet (SDS) is the guiding document where this information can be found. Labels, placards and shipping documents must clearly indicate the presence of hazardous substances, allowing employees and emergency responders to understand the risks involved.

Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), storage and transportation of HAZMAT (and hazardous waste, or HAZWASTE) was one of the biggest and most common obstacles throughout Syria during my deployment. PPE is an essential component of HAZMAT safety and includes items such as gloves, eye protection, respirators and full-body suits. After completing my first rotation of base camp assessments (BCA) in Syria, it was highlighted how deficient we were at having proper HAZMAT PPE on-hand in an operational environment, and it showed how difficult it was to acquire the correct PPE in austere environments. Eye-washing stations were reduced to a simple 12-pack of potable water bottles, and proper HAZMAT storage and containment was almost non-existent. When secondary containment was used, it was typically S.U.R.E.-Pak plastic lids and bases.

All service members and civilians involved in HAZMAT handling should receive thorough training in safe storage and handling requirements prior to deploying. This includes understanding the SDS, which provides detailed information about the physical and chemical properties of substances, storage requirements and PPE, as well as emergency measures in case of accidental exposure.

Transporting HAZMAT presents challenges due to the risk of accidents during transit. Even with strict safety measures, accidents involving HAZMAT can still occur. An emergency response plan is essential for minimizing the impact of incidents. Units must develop and maintain HAZMAT emergency response plans that include evacuation procedures, containment strategies and decontamination processes. It is also recommended that a plan should include contingency courses of action when standard emergency services are not available (i.e., austere and deployment environments).

HAZMAT safety is a vital component of public health and environmental protection. Aside from storage and handling, it’s important to consider the long-term effects of hazardous material spills and the impact of neglecting remedial actions and cleanup, as well as disposal. By following standard operating procedures and exercising proper safety practices, the risks associated with HAZMAT can be measurably reduced on and off the battlefield. Operational units throughout the DOD should incorporate HAZMAT and HAZWASTE considerations in their pre-planning process prior to deploying.