HazMat Hauler Shut Down for Moving Explosives Without Regard for Safety
Inspectors found RC Stone & Farms had transported explosive materials without following safety rules or filing proper paperwork. Photos courtesy FMCSA
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has ordered Tennessee-based trucking company Rock Stone Company, also known as RC Stone & Farms, to cease all transportation of explosives and hazardous materials after it was found to pose an imminent hazard to public safety.
In March, an RC Stone & Farms truck was subjected to an unannounced roadside inspection by the Tennessee Highway Patrol where it was discovered that the pickup truck was transporting explosives in violation of federal hazardous materials regulations as well as Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations. The truck and driver were immediately placed out of service.
Haphazardly placed in the bed of the truck were a number of Class 1 explosives including ammonium nitrate-fuel oil mixture, electric detonators, blasting caps, and detonating cord. These explosive materials were stored in a bent metal toolbox and placed next to metal objects such as pipes, buckets and tools. The detonators and detonation cord were improperly stored in an unmarked cardboard box.
Regulations require detonators and explosive materials to be transported separately unless the detonators are packaged in a U.S. Department of Transportation specification container or package.
RC Stone & Farm had not prepared hazardous materials shipping papers or placed HM placards on the vehicle. It also failed to prepare emergency response information to be used in the case of an incident. On top of all of that, the driver didn’t have a commercial driver’s license, hazardous materials endorsement, or medical certificate.
<img src="http://www.automotive-fleet.com/fc_images/news/m-truck-explosive-1.jpg" border="0" alt="
Explosive materials and deontation equipment were stored haphazardly in the bed of this pickup truck driven by an unqualified driver.
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FMCSA investigators further found RC Stone & Farm in violation of HMRs and FMCSRs “so widespread as to demonstrate a continuing and …Read the rest of this story
