---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 5106"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "5106"
heading: "Handling criteria"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/5106"
units:
  - "Subtitle III — General and Intermodal Programs"
  - "Chapter 51 — Transportation of Hazardous Material"
---

# §5106. Handling criteria


The [Secretary](/usc/49/5102.md?p=11) may prescribe criteria for handling [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2), including—

- (1) a minimum number of personnel;
- (2) minimum levels of training and qualifications for personnel;
- (3) the kind and frequency of inspections;
- (4) equipment for detecting, warning of, and controlling risks posed by the [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2);
- (5) specifications for the use of equipment and facilities used in handling and transporting the [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2); and
- (6) a system of monitoring safety procedures for transporting the [hazardous material](/usc/49/5102.md?p=2).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 763; Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, § 7126, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1909.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 5106 | 49 App.:1805(a). | Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, § 106(a), 88 Stat. 2157. |

Before clause (1), the text of 49 App.:1805(a) (last sentence) is omitted as being included in “prescribe”. In clause (4), the words “to be used” are omitted as surplus. In clause (6), the word “assurance” is omitted as surplus.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–59 substituted “Secretary” for “Secretary of Transportation” in introductory provisions.