Minnesota Department of Transportation

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MnDOT Policies

Hazard Evaluation Process

MnDOT Policy #OE010
Revised: February 25, 2022
Reviewed: February 29, 2024

View/print signed policy (PDF)

Hazard Evaluation Process Procedures

Please go to the MnDOT Org Chart to find specific contact information: Org Chart.

Responsible Senior Officer: Deputy Commissioner/Chief Engineer
Policy Owner: Director, Office of Environmental Stewardship
Policy Contact: Chief Toxicologist, Office of Environmental Stewardship

Policy statement

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) must use the Hazard Evaluation Process (HEP) to perform a due diligence review on products or proposed re-use of waste materials that have a potential to release chemicals during application or long-term use that could result in contamination of the environment.

As part of the review, MnDOT must balance, on a case-by-case basis, the benefits received against criteria such as:

  • Human safety
  • Sustainability
  • Environmental performance
  • Potential future environmental liabilities

Reason for policy

Applicability

All MnDOT employees must comply with this policy.

Key stakeholders with responsibilities under this policy include:

  • Office of Environmental Stewardship - Environmental Evaluation Team
  • MnDOT APL/QPL Coordinator, Specialty Offices, Resident Construction Engineers

Definitions

Approved/Qualified Products process

The process to approve or qualify products, materials, or engineered systems for use on MnDOT property and construction and maintenance projects.

Due Diligence for Hazard Evaluation

A process to examine the environmental performance of a product or waste material for potential environmental impact and liability associated with its use on projects and roadways by MnDOT staff and contractors.

Environmental Performance

A qualitative measure of the potential environmental liability associated with use of a product or re-use of a waste material.

Waste Material

A material that is no longer suitable for its original intended purpose because of wear, damage, defect or a worthless or useless byproduct resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, or community activities and includes contaminated soil, water, solids, semisolids, sludge, gas, and solid waste.

Responsibilities

Office of Environmental Stewardship - Environmental Evaluation Team

  • Determine which materials, products, or engineered systems require an environmental evaluation.
  • Evaluate materials, products, or engineered systems for MnDOT use based on Minnesota Law and the MnDOT Hazard Evaluation Process Procedures.
  • Report findings on the expected environmental performance to the APL/QPL Review Coordinator.
  • Store, retain, and dispose of HEP data and documentation according to the agency Record Retention Schedule.

MnDOT APL/QPL Coordinator, Specialty Offices, Resident Construction Engineers

  • Be aware of the Hazard Evaluation Process Policy and provide pertinent information to the Office of Environmental Stewardship for environmental evaluation when products are being considered for use on MnDOT property and construction and maintenance projects.

Policy Owner (Director, Office of Environmental Stewardship)

  • Review the policy every two years, or sooner as necessary, to ensure the policy remains up to date.  
  • Ensure the procedures, other documents, and training associated with the policy remains current.
  • Monitor state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements that apply to the policy or procedures.
  • Consult with the Office of Chief Counsel to ensure the policy and procedures remain compliant with all state, federal, enterprise, agency, or other requirements.
  • Ensure that necessary approvals by state or federal agencies are obtained before changes to the policy or procedures are implemented.
  • Work with the Policy Coordinator to revise the policy and/or confirm its accuracy.
  • Communicate policy revisions, reviews, and retirements to stakeholders.

Resources and related information

Processes, Procedures, and Instructions

Resources

History and updates

Adopted

June 23, 2016

Revised

  • First Revision: February 25, 2022 (also renumbered as #OE010 from #OP010)

Policy Review

  • February 29, 2024: Added 3 policy owner responsibilities to match revised template.

This policy's next scheduled review is due February 2026.