What Are the Most Common Hazmat Transportation Mistakes? The DOT has identified human error as a contributing cause for most hazmat transportation incidents. (U.S. Department of Transportation. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.) As outlined by the DOT, these human errors may result from a variety of factors:

1. Lack of knowledge leading to the mishandling of hazmat
2. Lack of knowledge leading to undeclared shipments
3. Lack of awareness that hazmat is present
4. Failure to follow established safety procedures
5. Lack of understanding of one’s role during an incident should one occur
6. Lack of knowledge on how to respond to an incident if one occurs