CHAPTER 3
RECEIPT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
SECTION I. PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
3.1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to prescribe procedures that incorporate, where
appropriate, regulatory requirements as they apply to the receipt of hazardous materials. This
chapter also contains procedures for processing damaged hazardous materials, packaging
discrepancies, and it specifies actions to be taken in the event a spill or leakage is detected during
the receiving process. Compliance with the specific requirements identified in this chapter will
substantially reduce the risks to personnel, installations, and the environment while ensuring
compliance with both Federal laws and DoD policies.
3.2 Applicability. The contents of this chapter are applicable to all personnel involved in the
receipt of hazardous materials.
SECTION II. PLANNING AND COORDINATING THE RECEIVING OPERATION
3.3 Planning for Receiving Operations. Planning for receiving operations requires complete
coordination among organizational elements responsible for the different phases of the operation.
Detailed planning assumes even greater importance in the case of hazardous materials. Proper
evaluation of advance information and planning action taken prior to the actual arrival of the
material will help ensure that appropriate steps are taken to receive it as efficiently,
economically, and safely as possible. Any correspondence concerning due-in hazardous
materials should be considered in the planning process. Prepositioned Material Receipt
Documents (PMRDs), contract schedules, reshipments, advance copies of bills of lading, or other
shipping documents should be used to determine approximate arrival dates and the type and
quantity of material due in. Pertinent information on significant due-in receipts of hazardous
material must be given to personnel concerned with warehousing, transportation, preservation,
packing, and inspection.
3.4 Advance Planning and Coordination. Advance planning and coordination will promote
effective storage space utilization, efficient assignment of labor and equipment resources, and
timely identification and classification of materials requiring specialized handling due to their
hazard characteristics. While the reservation of specific storage space for due-ins is not
recommended, advance planning will permit tentative storage determinations and, in turn, will
facilitate receipt processing.
SECTION III. IMPACT OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, OTHER THAN
TRANSPORTATION, ON RECEIVING OPERATIONS
Personnel must be aware of Federal regulations and their possible impact on receiving
operations. These regulatory requirements are discussed in greater detail in chapter 4, Storage
and Care of Hazardous Materials, chapter 7, Environmental, and chapter 8, Safety and Health.
While processing receipts of hazardous material, personnel must be particularly alert to the
following:
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