Hazmat Phone Number Guide: Essential Contacts
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Before a Hazmat Incident: Prevention & Compliance
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the DOT agency responsible for regulating and enforcing hazardous materials transportation and pipeline safety in the United States.
PHMSA has Hazmat Information Center provides live, one-on-one assistance pertaining to the federal regulations for the transportation of hazardous materials, 49 CFR.
DOT/PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Information Center: 1-800-467-4922 (Mon–Fri, 9 AM–5 PM EST)
PHMSA also provides a help desk for companies that must complete the annual Hazardous Materials Registration required under 49 CFR.
HAZMAT Registration Help Desk: 202-366-4109
PHMSA has a direct line to report pipeline safety concerns, unsafe conditions, or regulatory issues involving natural gas or hazardous-liquid pipelines.
Office of Pipeline Safety Hotline: 202-366-4595
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA provides guidance on workplace safety, employee training, and hazmat compliance programs. Companies can consult OSHA Area Office for compliance questions, safety program guidance, training requirements, hazard communication (HazCom) rules, and general workplace safety support.
OSHA Area Office contact: check your area office, for example (312) 353-2220 for Chicago Regional Office
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Provides assistance with federal motor carrier safety regulations, including DOT registration, operating authority, safety ratings, driver qualification requirements, hours-of-service rules, and hazardous materials transportation compliance.
FMCSA Contact Center: 1-800-832-5660
FMCSA has also a Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse that supports employers and carriers with compliance under the DOT drug and alcohol testing program for CDL drivers. Assists with driver queries, reporting violations, account setup issues, and regulatory requirements that help prevent safety incidents.
FMCA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: 1-844-955-0207
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA provides guidance on hazardous waste management, extremely hazardous substances, and community right-to-know rules to help companies stay compliant and prevent environmental incidents. They also offer dedicated support for small-quantity hazardous waste generators who need help with regulatory challenges or waste-handling requirements.
EPA Emergency Management / Superfund Information Line (not an emergency hotline): 1-800-424-9346
EPA Small Business & Asbestos Information Line: 1-800-368-5888
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
The NFPA publishes widely used safety standards for hazardous materials, including NFPA 704, the NFPA Hazard Identification Diamond. NFPA resources support safe storage, labeling, and incident-prevention practices.
NFPA Contact: 1‑800‑344‑3555
The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
This organization provides objective, science-based information about a wide variety of pesticide-related subjects, including pesticide products, pesticide poisonings, toxicology, and environmental chemistry.
NPIC Hotline: 1-800-858-7378
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Planning & Reference Tools
While not hotlines, the following tools are widely used in hazmat preparedness and incident prevention:
- DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG): First-responder guidance for initial isolation, evacuation, and protective actions
- CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA): Chemical identification and hazard information database
- NIOSH Pocket Guide: Occupational exposure and chemical safety reference
These tools support planning and preparedness before an incident occurs.
During a Hazmat Incident: Immediate Response
911 (Local Emergency Services)
For life-threatening situations such as fires, explosions, serious injuries, or immediate danger from hazardous chemicals. Emergency services dispatch fire, EMS, and police to the scene.
Emergency hotline: 911
Emergency Response Phone Service Providers
These services provide real-time technical guidance during chemical incidents, helping responders identify the hazards, advise on containment and protective measures, and contact the chemical manufacturer or shipper if needed. Examples include:
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Hazmat Line (Customers only, you can sign up here) – 24-hour telephone global service providing immediate guidance on chemical emergencies, toxic exposures, and spill response.
- CHEM-TREC (Registered Customers only) – American Chemistry Council (ACC)’s emergency response phone service company.
Poison Control Center
Provides medical guidance for chemical ingestion, inhalation, or exposure. Can advise whether a patient needs immediate medical attention.
Poison Control Center: 1‑800‑222‑1222
Animal Poison Control Center ASPCA
Provides information on exposure to chemicals, poisons or drugs. (Animals only.)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center:1-800-426-4435
National Response Center (NRC)
The NRC is the federal reporting center for oil, chemical, and hazardous substance spills. Notifications go to federal agencies like EPA, PHMSA and U.S. Coast Guard for coordination of cleanup and environmental monitoring.
NRC Emergency Hotline: 1‑800‑424‑8802
State Environmental or Emergency Management Agencies
State-level authorities provide coordination and oversight for chemical releases, including guidance for containment and reporting requirements.
Contact: Check your local/state directory
Public Health Escalation
For large-scale, unusual, or public-health-impacting chemical incidents:
CDC / ATSDR Emergency Operations Center
Supports national public health coordination and toxicological expertise during significant chemical events.
CDC EOC: 770-488-7100
Intentional or Criminal Releases
If there is suspicion of intentional contamination, sabotage, or terrorism involving hazardous materials:
FBI (Local Field Office or Headquarters)
Supports investigation and coordination for criminal or intentional chemical releases.
Contact: Local FBI Field Office
After a Hazmat Incident: Reporting & Recovery
Hazmat Cleanup Companies
Cleanup contractors should not be contacted as the first call during an active, uncontrolled emergency. Once the release is contained and the scene is safe, certified cleanup companies handle decontamination, waste removal, and environmental remediation to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
Emergency response phone service providers (such as Hazmat Line) can assist in identifying and coordinating with qualified cleanup contractors during the event.
OSHA
OSHA’s should be contacted during/short after an incident for reporting work-related fatalities (within 8 hrs), severe injuries (hospitalizations, amputations, eye loss within 24 hrs), or to file complaints about imminent danger (like high toxin levels, explosion risks, or oxygen deficiency) where immediate employer action isn't enough and workers' lives are at serious risk.
OSHA Incident & Fatality Reporting hotline: (1-800-321-6742)
DOT / PHMSA
For incidents involving hazardous material transportation, DOT/PHMSA provides guidance on reporting, documentation, and compliance investigations. PHMSA requires DOT Form 5800.1 for certain transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.
DOT/PHMSA's Hazardous Materials Information Center: 1-800-467-4922
Behavioral Health & Recovery
For responders or employees impacted by a significant hazmat incident:
Disaster Distress Helpline
Provides crisis counseling for emotional distress related to disasters and emergencies.
Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Emergency Response Phone Service Providers (Post-Incident Support)
Some providers, like Hazmat Line, can provide guidance for documentation, risk map analysis and regulatory compliance after a hazmat incident.
Hazmat Line Customer Service: +1 (813) 742-5152
Sign up here
Shipping on Road outside the US but in North America?
Canada
CANUTEC – Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (Transport Canada / Dangerous Goods)
Provides 24/7 emergency advisory services for transportation incidents involving dangerous goods (road, rail, marine, air), including chemicals, hazardous materials, and radioactive shipments for Canadian companies. The centre can help assess incidents, interpret SDS data, and coordinate with relevant responders.
Emergency Hotline: 1-888-226-8832 (North America) or +1-613-996-6666 (collect calls accepted); or “*666” from a Canadian cellular phone
Information Line: +1-613-992-4624
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) – National Environmental Emergencies Centre (NEEC)
For environmental emergencies or pollution incidents (chemical spills, environmental contamination, etc.) across provinces/territories. Provides coordination for environmental spill response.
ECC Environmental Emergencies Hotline (Nationwide): 1-866-283-2333 (Canada)
Regional Contacts: ↳ Example: Pacific & Yukon – 604-666-6496
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
Responsible for incidents involving nuclear facilities or radioactive materials — lost/damaged radioactive material, leaks, smuggling/theft, or any threat/vandalism involving nuclear sites.
Emergency Duty Officer (24/7): +1-613-995-0479 (or toll-free +1-844-879-0805)
Emergency Response Assistance Canada (ERAC)
Private / contracted emergency response organization — provides on-site response, technical support, and clean-up for dangerous goods incidents when called. Useful when a dispatched response is required beyond advisory services.
ERAC Emergency Hotline (24/7): 1-800-265-0212
Mexico
CENACOM – Centro Nacional de Comunicaciones
Provides immediate emergency notification and coordination support for incidents involving hazardous materials throughout Mexico.
CENACOM Emergency hotline: 01-800-00-41-300
Mexico City: (55) 55-50-15-52, (55) 55-50-14-96
SETIQ – Sistema de Emergencia para la Atención de Incidentes con Materiales Químicos
National emergency response service specialized in chemical and hazardous materials incidents. In Mexico, the regulations state that the consignee shares the shipment incident responsibility. So, if a company ships its products to Mexico, the consignee is responsible for registering with SETIQ and ensuring that the carrier to be used—whether at the port, terminal, or border—is also registered. Only Mexican companies can be SETIQ members. SETIQ works in coordination with CENACOM, COATEA, and CONASENUSA.
SETIQ Emergency hotline: 01-800-00-214-00 (in Mexico)
Mexico City: (55) 55-59-15-88
COATEA – Centro de Operaciones de Atención de Emergencias Ambientales
Provides support and coordination in environmental emergencies, including hazardous materials releases.
COATEA Emergency hotline: 01-800-710-49-43 (in Mexico)
Mexico City: (55) 26-15-20-45, (55) 54-49-63-91
CONASENUSA – Comité Nacional de Seguridad Nuclear y Salvaguardias
Emergency contact for incidents involving radioactive materials.
CONASENUSA Emergency hotline: 01-800-11-131-68 (in Mexico)
Mexico City: (55) 50-95-32-00 ext. 210
Shipping internationally by sea or air?
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code – Maritime Shipments
The IMDG Code establishes the international standard for the classification, packaging, marking, labeling, documentation, stowage, handling, and emergency response for dangerous goods transported by sea. Compliance is mandatory for all international maritime shipments under the SOLAS Convention.
IMDG – doesn’t have a hotline or information number
International Air Transport Association (IATA) – Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)
The IATA DGR provides classification criteria, packaging instructions, operator variations, and detailed acceptance procedures used by airlines and air cargo handlers worldwide.
DGR is the primary reference for preventing incidents, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting proper emergency procedures for air shipments – information on their website.
IATA – doesn’t have a hotline or information number
Labelmaster
This company provides products, software, training, and consulting for the safe and compliant transportation of hazmat. Labelmaster offers a free Regulatory Hotline that connects you with their experts for compliance help with shipping regulations and can clarify questions about IATA and IMDG regulations.
Labelmaster Regulatory Hotline (Free): 1-800-621-5808 (Mon-Fri 8-5PM CT)