The third week of April means the spring storm season is in full swing, so make sure your workplace and home are both ready to cope with potential heavy weather. In the regulatory world, Transport Canada was a busy player last week, with several actions of note. Here’s the latest news: Transport Canada The ministry…
DG Digest: New PHMSA Rule Makes Multi-Modal Hazmat Shipping Easier, Aligns with International Standards
As we publish, it’s Tax Day! Are you ready? Hopefully everyone has things under control for the year. It’s always an adventure. Meanwhile, it was an eventful regulatory week as PHMSA published its long awaited HM-215Q harmonization rule. Let’s dive right in: PHMSA As just noted, the final rule updating international harmonization was published. The…
DG Digest: Shipping Accident in Baltimore: A Reminder of Safe Cargo Practices
Shipping accident in Baltimore As most people already know, last week the Singapore flagged container ship MS Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key road bridge at the mouth of the harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. The bridge subsequently collapsed, tragically killing six maintenance workers on the span. Casualties may have been far greater but for…
DG Digest: EPA Eyes Safer Disposal of Explosives, OSHA Updates Fire Extinguisher and Cadmium Rules
For many younger folks, spring break season has arrived, so if you live and work in an area that sees spring break tourism, be sure that your employees are aware of the potential for increased traffic and crowded streets. Delivery drivers and those who work out of the office or plant can be particularly affected.…
DG Digest: PHMSA Clarifies Special Permit Process, Adds Hazmat Training FAQs, and Issues Monkeypox Guidance
It’s mid-March, and the formal beginning of Spring is just a day or two away. Hopefully, every will have a chance to enjoy the improving weather and perhaps a spring break holiday. Be sure to include appropriate safety planning in your spring events! Here’s the last week’s extremely busy regulatory news: PHMSA The agency published…
Gear Up for Change: The 2024 ERG Arrives in May
One of the most popular and certainly among the most useful and used of the USDOT’s family of publications is almost due for its revised issuance. The Emergency Response Guide, typically referred to simply as the “ERG,” will make its every-fourth-year reappearance in late May. The 2024 edition will supersede the current 2020 edition. The…
DG Digest: Public Comment Period Opens on International Rules for Safe Radioactive Material Transport
Today’s blog publishes right after the “Spring Forward” event—did you remember to reset your clocks? This is the one Monday of the year when perhaps everyone might be just a little off-kilter, so remember: take your time today and don’t let the change impair your attention to health and safety. We’ll also encounter the St.…
DG Digest: PHMSA amends the HMR in HM-219D final rule, effective April 3, 2024
Today’s blog finds us in the very first week of “meteorological spring.” Just a few weeks to the equinox! Hopefully, this means warmer weather will start to make its way across the country. Of course, it also means that in many places, severe weather will be starting to make its seasonal comeback, so be sure…
DG Digest: EPA updates fees for the Toxic Substances Control Act
The last full week of February found things just a touch slow in the regulatory world; this coming week features “Leap Day,” which happens just once every four years. So, do something special to enjoy it! Here’s the latest news: EPA The agency finalized amendments to the rule that established fees for the administration of…
DG Digest: NEW IMDG and ADR Corrigenda Released
It’s Presidents Day this Monday, honoring all the men who have thus far served as our nation’s chief executive. Most people have a favorite president from history; do you? Given the holiday, most federal and state agencies are closed today. However, last week did feature some new regulatory action. Here’s the latest: IMDG Code The…