Safely Transporting Hazardous Materials
BNSF works hard to safely move and deliver products essential to everyday life. Some of the products we carry are hazardous materials, and we give those even greater attention. At BNSF, we focus on preparedness, strict procedures to minimize risk and intense employee, contractor and first-responder training. We have continuously strengthened our hazmat safety program; an average of 99.999 percent shipments arrive without incident. Our ultimate goal is to prevent any incidents on our network and to be even better prepared in case an incident does occur.
What follows is a list of the hazmat cargo our customers ship with us and their common uses.
- PETROLEUM CRUDE OIL
Gasoline, Jet Fuel, Diesel Fuel - ALCOHOLS
Clean Burning Gasoline Additive, Solvent - LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS
Heating, Barbecuing, Fuel for Trucks and Cars - ELEVATED TEMPERATURE LIQUID
Asphalt for Roads - ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
Nitrogen Fertilizer for Agriculture
- SULPHURIC ACID
Drain Cleaner, Fertilizer, Batteries, Pharmaceuticals - HYDROCHLORIC ACID SOLUTION
Food Additives, Water Treatment - SULPHUR
Pharmaceuticals, Fertilizers and Matches - SODIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION
Paper and Pollution Control Devices - DIESEL FUEL
Fuel for Trucks, Cars and Trains
Hazmat Safety is a Team Effort
At BNSF, the safe transport of hazardous materials always begins with a plan. Our employees and contractors cooperate with our customers, community partners, elected officials, emergency management and thousands of local first responders across the country. This partnership focuses on prevention, mitigation, and response. We communicate with federal regulators on issues, such as train routing, to optimize security and emergency response preparation. We promote that same spirit of cooperation and safety leadership with members of every community along our network.
Supporting Our Customers
BNSF has made significant investments in our equipment, network, infrastructure and maintenance programs to ensure our assets are in the best possible condition. Our customers tell us that an important aspect of that service is the support and advice we offer as they load, secure and manage their cargo.
Community First Responders
BNSF has helped strengthen the effectiveness of first responders by offering them extensive training. We believe we are making an important investment key to reducing the impact of incidents.
If you are a first responder and want to learn more about BNSF and hazmat safety, click below to access additional resources.
More Facts about First Responders
- We provide hazmat first responder training annually at no cost.
- Equipment to support hazmat responders is staged, maintained and ready for rapid deployment at more than 70 locations on our network.
- We foster cooperative relationships with an extensive network of professional hazmat contractors and industrial firefighting crews.
- BNSF computer-based training modules and educational videos add convenience and immediacy to hazmat emergency training.
Hazmat and your Community
If you are a local responder, emergency management personnel or an elected official and need BNSF hazmat flow reports for your emergency response planning, click below to request information about shipments in your community. These are available on a confidential basis and for security reasons are not offered to the general public.
Our Hazmat Response Contractor Partners
Our professional hazmat contractor partners are essential in the mitigation of potential dangers associated with a hazardous materials release. With multiple locations along our network, BNSF contractor partners are able to respond quickly to the needs of first responders and the BNSF safety team, should a hazmat incident occur in the field.
Communities can be assured that if there is a hazmat emergency along a BNSF line, the team responding for BNSF will be well-trained and will work collectively for the safety of the community and the environment.
If you are a member of a professional hazmat emergency response organization, click below to learn more about working with BNSF.