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FEATURE HIGHLIGHT: HAZMAT Management with ViewPoint Logistics™

Managing and tracking hazardous materials (HAZMAT) is a specialized service provided by some multi-client 3PL partners in today’s supply chain environment. Managing HAZMAT inventories not only means the usual inventory accounting required of the 3PL but also tracking the additional inventory attributes that support:

  • Product segregation within the facility as required
  • Generation of proper shipping documentation including special labeling and placarding
  • Generation and submission of legislation driven reporting such as Community Right-to-Know and SARA Title III.

ViewPoint Logistics™ offers a very flexible HAZMAT module that supports these and related requirements and allows use of as few or as many control features as required by the HAZMAT products being handled.

Inventory Profile

On top of the usual Inventory profile set ups, flagging a product as HAZMAT opens access to additional set up routines for tracking the HAZMAT attributes. For the protection of the local 3PL, the process of flagging a HAZMAT product prevents handling of the designated goods in or out of the facility if basic HAZMAT attributes are not in place. These minimum requirements include:

  • UN/NA number
  • Hazard Class
  • Packing Group
  • Material Safety Data Sheet has been received and date of issue

Once these minimum requirements are entered, the HAZMAT system is ready for use for low hazard materials.

Set-up Options

The additional set up and attribute tracking for HAZMAT products (including the minimum requirements listed above) include the following. The choice to use these additional attributes is driven by operational and reporting requirements.

1. Common Master Information

Much of the attribute information used for the setup of HAZMAT products is generic and can be used with any applicable products.

Identification OF Manufacturers

For purposes related to emergency response, the manufacturer of a HAZMAT product must be identified along with their address and contact information. As well, the name and contact information of the organization designated for emergency response must be indicated. The emergency response information is required in the product compliant shipping documentation.

UN/NA Numbers and Related Attributes

UN/NA numbers are industry standard. The key attributes of a UN/NA number are also standard and include:

  • Proper shipping name(s)
  • Hazard classification
  • Packing group
  • Packing authorizations
  • Label requirements
  • Placarding requirements
  • Supplemental UN/NA number(s)
Label and Placard Definitions

Label and Placard definitions are also industry standard. The label information is key for proper identification of the product both for storage and shipping. The Placard information relates to shipping only. The Placard set ups allow for definition of Placard requirements based on shipment weight of the commodity to which the Placard is related.

Chemical Abstract Service (C.A.S.) Numbers

C.A.S. numbers are industry standard chemical identification numbers. They are used to identify the chemical components of any HAZMAT compound or solution.

Container Types

The container type information is essential if a HAZMAT product is subject to SARA Title III reporting. Definition of container type includes:

  • Storage type (e.g. drum)
  • Pressure condition
  • Temperature condition

The allowed values for these attributes are usually found on the MSDS sheet and correlate to the SARA Title III reporting requirements for a 3PL’s facility location.

2. HAZMAT Product Attributes

Based on the necessary Master file information being in place and the provision of an MSDS sheet, the HAZMAT product attributes can be entered on a product by product basis. As already stated, low hazard commodities have minimal requirements for tracking of additional attributes whereas high hazard products require setup and tracking of extensive additional attributes as well as SARA Title III reporting in most cases.

Operational Processes

The actual floor processing of HAZMAT materials from a system standpoint is similar to floor operations for non-HAZMAT products with a few exceptions including:

  • Validation of proper product identification including proper labeling.
  • Validation of current MSDS sheet on file.
  • Adherence to required product segregation. This can be done manually or the system’s put-away logic can be configured to enforce the appropriate segregation.
  • Preparation of proper shipping documentation including:
    • HAZMAT compliant BOL
    • Appropriate placarding
    • Appropriate Emergency Response documentation

ViewPoint Logistics™ supports or provides operator prompting for the above.

Special Reporting

The handling and storage of HAZMAT products by a local 3PL introduces the requirement to comply with legislated additional special reporting. ViewPoint Logistics™ includes the following general support of these requirements:

  • Community Right-to-Know: an inventory stock balances by HAZMAT product including quantities by location with Hazard Class and Class totals.
  • SARA Title III Reporting
Flexibility

As is the case with many services provided by multi-client 3PLs, there are various ways that HAZMAT Management might be implemented on behalf of a client including across some or all products for that client. ViewPoint Logistics™ allows the flexibility to choose the strategy that meets the requirement of a specific client.

If HAZMAT Management is a feature you require or wish to implement, ask your MAVES representative to show you how ViewPoint Logistics™ can help or email us at sales@maves.com for further details.