I know many of you transport fuel. This is a hair pulling experience when the DOT or the State Police pull you over. I am no expert in this area, but I have learned that trying to comply and asking questions is a lot better than ignoring or fighting the regulations.

For starters if you're hauling over 119 gallons of fuel, you must have a DOT approved transport vessel. You should also be carrying a DOT handbook, shipping papers and be properly placarded.

Our emergency response company is PERS, at P.O. Box 1560, Ogden UT, 84402-1560. For a minimal fee, they can help you come into compliance with transportation regulations of hazardous materials. They can also provide you with laminated shipping papers, 24-hour emergency phone numbers and HAZMAT training for your employees. Their job is to help you through the anxiety of compliance. Their phone number is 1-800-728-2482 and their fax number is 1-801-629-0680.

Another great source is online at the State Police website. Once at their site you want to go to the hazardous materials section. www.michigan.gov/msp, specialized division, hazardous materials. There is a wealth of information available there.

If you need other specific information, please contact me and I will do my best to help you out.