Advertisement

Transport Emergency Card

By Tabitha Mishra
Last updated: November 8, 2018

What Does Transport Emergency Card Mean?

Transport Emergency Cards (TREM Cards) are cards that workers must carry with them at all times when transporting dangerous goods or hazardous substances. These cards are provided by the occupier or operator of a facility and are then kept in the cab of the vehicle.

TREM Cards are usually A4 sized and contain information about the goods being transported and how to handle them in the event of an emergency.

Safeopedia Explains Transport Emergency Card

Transport Emergency Cards contain important information about the materials that are being transported and must be visible in the vehicle at all times. Upon delivery, TREM Cards are removed from view.

The consignor is required to either supply the cards or give enough information for the operator to obtain the correct ones. However, the carrier also has a legal obligation to ensure that cards are appropriate to the load.

What Is Listed on a TREM Card?

A TREM card contains important safety information about the hazardous goods being transported. It contains information like:

  • The type of cargo being transported
  • National and International numbers (e.g. United Nations number)
  • Potential hazards associated with the transported materials
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) required for safe handling of the cargo
  • Actions to be taken in the event of a leakage or a fire
  • Emergency contact information and information relevant to first responders
  • First aid measures
  • Instructions for the driver

Safe Transportation of Hazardous Cargo

Hazardous materials goods must be properly classified, marked, labeled, and packed before being transported by road or by rail. Since these materials can cause harm to humans or the natural environment, their packaging must be secure to prevent the cargo from leaking or escaping from containers.

The TREM Card comes into play if any of these preventative measures fail. In the event of an emergency, responders or emergency personnel can refer to the TREM Card to quickly determine which substances are being transported and how it must be handled. If a vehicle is transporting more than one type of hazardous material, TREM Cards are required for each one. The TREM card is usually A4 sized and located in the cab of the vehicle carrying the dangerous good.

In addition to having the TREM Card in the right location, the follow steps should be followed in the event of an accident involving a vehicle transporting dangerous goods:

  • If possible to do so safely, limit the spread of the material
  • Keep the Emergency Response Guidebook, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and shipping papers readily available
  • Place warning signs such as road reflectors or traffic cones to warn drivers of an obstruction
  • For incidents that occur at night, place the opened reflector triangle between the affected vehicle and oncoming traffic

In the United States, the Department of Transportation’s Emergency Response Guidebook contains all necessary emergency response information for the products being transported. All information in the guidebook must be properly understood and any missing information or forms must be replaced. The incident must be reported immediately to the company contact person and relevant emergency responders.

Advertisement

Share This Term

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • X

Related Reading

Trending Articles

Go back to top