Who is responsible for preventing unauthorized access to hazardous materials during transport?

The responsibility for preventing unauthorized access to hazardous materials during transport primarily falls on the carrier or transport company. This is because they are directly involved in the handling, storage, and transfer of hazardous materials. The carrier must implement measures such as secure loading practices, proper documentation, and monitoring of the transport environment to ensure that the materials are not accessed by unauthorized individuals.

While the driver or operator plays a critical role in securing hazardous materials and safeguarding them during transportation, their responsibility is typically more focused on the vehicle operation and ensuring the safe transit rather than overseeing the entire logistics of preventing access. The manufacturer is responsible for the safe packaging and labeling of hazardous materials, while the freight forwarder is involved in arranging the transportation and logistics but does not have direct control over the transport security protocols. Therefore, the transport company ultimately bears the primary accountability for securing hazardous materials during transport.