Hopefully, everyone has had a chance to enjoy all or part of the ongoing Labelmaster Dangerous Goods Symposium. As usual, the employees creating and coordinating the event are doing their amazing best. Many thanks to them, to all of the speakers, and to everyone participating. (You can register for this week’s sessions here.) Hopefully, next year’s event can…
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2021 Dangerous Goods Symposium preview: Every can’t-miss session
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Dangerous Goods at the speed of eCommerce: 2021 DG Symposium speaker Cathy Roberson
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How to grow your hazmat shipping operation during a labor shortage
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2021 DG Symposium panelist Dave Crist on risk, reputation and leadership
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16 reasons you’ll want to attend the 2021 Dangerous Goods Symposium
Latest Posts
2021 DG Symposium recap, part 1: From the C-suite to the loading dock
The 2021 Dangerous Goods Symposium got off to a rousing start this week, with four sessions covering everything from nuts-and-bolts regulatory updates to high-level ideas from leading executives on prioritizing DG compliance in a rapidly evolving supply chain. Here’s a quick recap of those sessions, with links to watch the recordings on demand. Further down,…
DG Digest: Biden directs OSHA to develop vaccine mandate – or weekly testing – for employees in organizations with more than 100 employees
Here we are rolling around into mid-September already. The fall season brings its own joys and challenges, one of which is the earlier coming of nightfall—before too long, many workers may be heading home at day’s end in darkness. Make sure your workplace has a plan in place to keep doorways, parking lots, and walkways free of…
2021 Dangerous Goods Symposium preview: Every can’t-miss session
The 2021 Dangerous Goods Symposium starts next week—and you don’t even have to book a trip to Chicago! This year’s event is all-virtual, hosted on the DG Exchange. (You’ll need a free DG Exchange membership to participate.) And that means three big benefits for you: It’s free. You can join as many (or as few)…
DG Digest: PHMSA’s Lithium Battery Air Safety Committee to Meet September 22
The Labelmaster Family hopes everyone had a great Labor Day weekend and was able to enjoy a safe and healthy end-of-summer holiday. As we all return back to work and our children head back to school, let’s keep working together to end the COVID-19 pandemic. And remember—in many places, many more children will be out and about…
Dangerous Goods at the speed of eCommerce: 2021 DG Symposium speaker Cathy Roberson
Cathy Roberson believes more of her clients should ask her about Dangerous Goods. And she’s right. Roberson runs Logistics Trends & Insights, LLC—a research and consulting company devoted to the global logistics market. Her research helps shippers cut through the noise to understand and address their most critical issues, yet many don’t even know how…
DG Digest: IATA releases significant changes for the upcoming 63rd Edition of the DGR
It’s the end of August. Hopefully, everyone had a safe, healthy, and productive summer. Next weekend will be the long end-of-summer holiday; make sure your plans include ways to enjoy it while still being mindful of the pandemic and its attendant risks. Now is no time to let our guards down. The week was not super busy in…
How to grow your hazmat shipping operation during a labor shortage
There’s a new crisis adding to the list of challenges frustrating supply chain organizations during the worst public health crisis in generations—a labor shortage. In the U.S., manufacturers are desperate to fill hundreds of thousands of jobs, and finding the right talent to fill those jobs is 36% harder than it was in 2018. For…
DG Digest: OSHA issues ICR on respiratory protection and fitness requirements that go with them
As the nation enters the latter half of August, hot weather and the pandemic continue to dominate concerns about safety. Be sure that at your workplace, your hot weather plan remains in place, and that as a safety professional, you demonstrate good hot weather habits—plenty of liquid, rest after work in hot areas, and watching…
2021 DG Symposium panelist Dave Crist on risk, reputation and leadership
Do your company’s leaders understand what you do? Are they aware of the unique challenges of the Dangerous Goods supply chain, and do they take compliance seriously enough to do more than is minimally required? Our recent Global Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook revealed that: 31% of DG pros feel their company’s senior leaders are not…
DG Digest: PHMSA HM-215P Proposes Greater Harmonization; Comment Period Open until 10/12/21
It’s the middle of August, and hot weather and storms have been a dominant feature of the landscape so far this month in man places across America. Be sure you have your plan for safe work practices in place to help handle what Mother Nature is sending our way. The week’s biggest regulatory news by…
DG Digest: DHS amends regulations relating to the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
The first week of August concludes with the COVID-19 virus rapidly surging again, account the prevalence of the new Delta variant. As HSE professionals let’s make sure we do all we can to help our fellow employees be as safe as they can be as the country continues to deal with this challenge. At the same time,…
Infographic: Results of the 2021 Global Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook
The global supply chain has never endured a period like the last 18 months. How have Dangerous Goods organizations fared—and what are the most important factors for their future success? You’ll find the answers to those questions and many more in the below infographic. It contains the results of the 6th annual Global Dangerous Goods…
DG Digest: Agencies Publish Semi-annual Regulatory Agendas
The nation enters August with a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic driven by the Delta variant of the virus. As DG/HSE professionals committed to safe practices, let’s all work together to remain aware of any changed policies in our local jurisdictions—they may differ significantly from place to place—and be ready to help our employers with understanding and…
Will PHMSA receive Dangerous Goods research ideas that actually make DG simpler?
PHMSA wants you to get creative. As Labelmaster Senior Regulatory Specialist Nikki Burgess, CDGP, DGSA, reported in the July 12 DG Digest, “The agency has posted a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to solicit concepts and innovative ideas for leading-edge research and techniques to advance the safe transportation of hazardous materials.” The request specifically covered these…
DG Digest: CPSC asks for public comment on how hazard warnings are communicated to consumers
The “Summer Lull” continues apace in the regulatory world, with minimal action last week. Meanwhile, this new week will see a “heat dome” settle over much of the country. Be sure to help your employees cope; it’s important to remember that many employees look to HSE and other regulatory personnel for guidance and support in…
2021 DG Symposium speaker Richard Masters: What DG pros can learn from maritime incidents
Two maritime incidents in 2021 highlight a fact well-known to most Dangerous Goods professionals—that one relatively small lapse can trigger large scale negative consequences. At the 2021 Dangerous Goods Symposium, maritime Dangerous Goods veteran Richard Masters will discuss the Ever Given Suez Canal crash and the catastrophic fire aboard the X-Press Pearl. Other than these…
DG Digest: DOT publishes ‘Chart 17’ for guidance on labels, marks, and placards enforcement
Mid-July is here already, and in keeping with the idea that summer is supposed to be a little lazy, not too much went on this week in terms of the regs. So let’s all enjoy the break together! Here’s the latest: U.S. DOT The department has published ‘Chart 17.’ The DOT Chart series provides guidance…
New webinar: Is missing information hurting your hazmat shipping operation?
Say you have a building you want to repaint. You contact a distributor who says they can ship you all the paint you need by air, so you’ll have it tomorrow morning. You hire a crew and wait for the paint. And wait. And wait. And when you call to find out where the heck…
DG Digest: PHMSA Seeks Leading-edge, Innovative Ideas to Advance the Safe Transport of DG
Amazingly, it’s already almost mid-July! Crazy, how quickly the summer goes. Hopefully everyone is having a chance to enjoy a little down time; be sure that if and when you do, you remain attentive to safety, especially for big chores around the house and most especially, driving. Summer trips often mean unfamiliar territory, extra road…
2021 DG Symposium speaker Laura Denk: How trainers can be more convincing
One of the most popular presentations at the 2021 Dangerous Goods Symposium might be delivered by someone with no Dangerous Goods experience. Meet Laura Denk, of eChoice Innovations—a Chicago-based firm that solves business challenges with innovative marketing programs. “When you’re talking to someone about what training they or their organization might need, you want them…
This July 4th, what is the most patriotic hazardous material?
Here’s a question that should have American Dangerous Goods pros debating hotly as July 4th approaches: What is the most patriotic hazardous material? Okay, it’s actually kind of a silly question, but it’s worth considering—especially since so many Dangerous Goods are normal, household items that American shippers often don’t realize are regulated hazmat. So, let’s…
DG Digest: FMCSA to extend compliance date for some provisions of Medical Examiner’s Certification for three years.
Believe it or not, it’s already the lead up week to the Independence Day holiday. We all know what that means—increased use of both legal and, unfortunately, some illegal fireworks by the general public. Be sure to remind your employees that they should behave extra safely around fireworks—after all, as DG professionals, we know what these explosive…
Time to get excited about the 2021 Dangerous Goods Symposium!
Does DG stand for “Delirious Groupies”? Based on this new video, the answer is “yes.” Okay, maybe you’ve never been that excited about an upcoming Dangerous Good Symposium. But there are lots of good reasons to be excited about the 16th annual Symposium this year. What do you most want to see on this year’s…
DG Digest: FMCSA Posts Revisions to NHMRR and OSHA Issues Emergency Protections for Health Workers from Exposure to COVID-19
It’s now meteorological summer; time to dust off those hot weather work plans and make sure our fellow employees are acting safely under them—plenty of water, breaks when needed, limit time in closed and stuffy spaces, and most importantly, everyone looks out for each other. Let’s have a safe working summer! The regulatory news for…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of June 21st, 2021
Week of June 21st, 2021 Linking supply chain news with dangerous goods compliance As businesses around the world continue to navigate compounding supply chain challenges, some are beginning to take even more drastic steps. Let’s examine some recent industry news. SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS Brands Turn to Air Cargo as Inventory Delays Continue: Inventory delays…
The new father’s guide to Dangerous Goods shipping
“Shipping Dangerous Goods as a rookie is a lot like your first year of fatherhood,” said the old DG trainer. “There are a lot more details to worry about, and if you screw up, you’re gonna have a mess on your hands.” With apologies to all the mothers out there—whose parental sacrifices and Dangerous Goods…
DG Digest: Biden DOE Releases National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries 2021- 2030
Believe it or not it’s nearly mid-June already. The long hours of daylight and warm weather this time of year often lead workplaces to tackle those outdoor projects that may have been lagging all winter. If your site plans such work, be sure to do your homework first—secure necessary permits, plan your safety, especially fall protection…
How Labelmaster e-procurement can lower your costs of hazmat compliance
How you buy your Dangerous Goods transport resources isn’t as important as how you use them. But it can still make a difference in your operation’s compliance. For example: e-procurement. Many Labelmaster customers already take advantage of our support for e-procurement platforms including Ariba, Coupa, Hubwoo (Perfect Commerce), Smart by GEP, SAP S/4 and many…
DG Digest: PHMSA announces corrections for civil penalties introduced last month
Meteorological summer has begun; the warm season always brings extra attention to heat related illness in the workplace. Make sure your facility has a plan to help keep employees cool and safe this summer. The first week of June kicks off with busy action at PHMSA; Special Permit and other agency actions are in the news. There were…
In Dangerous Goods, every month is National Safety Month.
Since June is National Safety Month, we thought it would be a good time to reiterate the most important reason Dangerous Goods professionals do what we do. Yes, it’s safety. Why do we help shippers understand and comply with Dangerous Goods regulations? Safety. Why do we consistently point out areas where shippers may need extra…
DG Digest: Transport Canada to impose new fees for dangerous goods packaging producers
Transport Canada In action impacting Canadian producers of dangerous goods packaging, the Ministry is holding a webinar on the proposed regulations that introduce new fees for companies required to be registered under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Directorate’s Means of Containment Facilities Registration Program. The Ministry is proposing to introduce new fees and service…
How a Dangerous Goods pro enjoys the Indy 500
The 135,000 race fans attending this Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 will be the largest crowd at a U.S. sporting event since the COVID-19 pandemic started last March. Even though that’s just 40% of the capacity of the mammoth Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it’ll be exciting to see so many people in the same place celebrating the same…
DG Digest: PHMSA publishes multi-part ICR on requesting changes, exemptions in relation to the HMR
We head into May’s final full week with a holiday weekend set to happen at its end. Make sure that your holiday plans include not only the usual safe practices related to travel and work around the house, but that we all remain mindful of the ongoing issues surrounding the pandemic. Let’s all keep doing what…
Lithium batteries will be everywhere this summer! Are we worried?
Most normal people greet spring and summer with unbridled joy—and this year, with public life re-opening after a year of pandemic precautions, people are excited for warmer weather like never before. Dangerous Goods pros feel that enthusiasm, too. But we’re also prone to see summer approaching and say Holy shipment! There are lithium batteries freaking…
DG Digest: TSA published requirements to become a Certified Cargo Screening site
Mid-May already! Time does fly. The middle of the month finds us in a quiet period for the regulations, with only minimal activity. Meanwhile, the vaccine programs march on. As an HSE professional, be sure you do your part to help facilitate the efforts to inoculate the employees at your workplace who express interest in getting the vaccination. …
Poll results: How would you rate your Dangerous Goods expertise?
With the pandemic accelerating seismic shifts in the global supply chain, operations that manufacture, handle or ship Dangerous Goods have leaned on their experts like never before. In recent weeks, we at Labelmaster have been examining the topic of DG expertise pretty closely ourselves. We’ve written about finding and training internal subject matter experts, and…
DG Digest: DOT to perform ‘Regulatory Review’ in light of recent Executive Orders
The second week of May is here, and the Spring storm season is in full swing—a annual risk we all need to recall even as we continue to cope with the pandemic. If your facility is located within the broad swath of the country facing possible exposure to severe weather, be sure your emergency plans…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 10th, 2021
Week of May 10th, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Automation continues to drive the supply chain forward…and will become an increasingly important focus moving forward. What does this mean for dangerous goods companies? Let’s examine the recent supply chain technology and industry news. SUPPLY CHAIN NEWS Shifting Your Business From Manual…
8 hazmat experts share their Dangerous Goods origin stories
We’ve never yet met anyone who dreamed of being a Dangerous Goods expert when they were a kid. No one enters the work force with a DGSA in their sights. And yet, they’re out there, thousands strong. How did they discover Dangerous Goods, and how did they acquire their expertise? Were they groomed for subject…
DG Digest: Agencies Adjust Civil Penalties; DHS Delays REAL ID Enforcement Until May 2023
Happy May greetings! Hopefully this new month will bring not only the traditional “May Flowers” but also mark a turning point in our nation’s ongoing battle to control the COVID-19 pandemic. At this point the whole country is eligible to be vaccinated, so as HSE professionals, let’s make sure we’re ready to help our fellow…
9 essential Dangerous Goods pointers for returning to your workplace
Like millions of organizations worldwide, we at Labelmaster are starting to return to our offices. While our warehouse and shipping teams have been working onsite since the earliest days of the pandemic—for which we cannot even begin to thank them enough—we office types have been working from home since last March. And let’s be honest.…
DG Digest: Transport Canada updates guidance on COVID-19 related infectious substances, will conduct remote oversight for now
The third week of April found the nation still focused on vaccination efforts. Some companies are hosting vaccination events on their premises, some for employees only, and others for both employees and members of the surrounding community. If your company is holding such an event, make sure that all appropriate safety and security processes are in place…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 26th, 2021
Week of April 26th, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As more goods are being purchased online, shippers are being forced to adapt to new challenges, or finally address previously ignored gaps within their supply chains. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous…
Top 10 Dangerous Goods questions our hotline experts answer every day.
Whether you’ve been shipping Dangerous Goods for 10 days or 10 years, there’s never any shame in admitting you don’t know the answer to a question. That’s why we set up the Labelmaster Regulatory Hotline. Next time you have a question about hazmat transport, you can call 1.800.621.5808—8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central time, Monday…
DG Digest: UNECE releases corrective corrigendum to the EU ADR
Moving into the third week of April, the nation is rapidly moving into a phase where vaccines against the COVID virus are becoming much more widely available. At the same time, the virus, in its variant forms, is also surging once more. Let’s all do our part to help limit the further spread of the…
Guest post: 5 ways 3PLs can capitalize on the e-commerce boom
Our guest blogger is Robert Liva, Senior Account Executive at Pierbridge. Have you noticed that there’s a different delivery van pulling up on your block five or six times every day? Those vans are evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated several shipping trends that were already developing pretty quickly. Online spending accounted for 21.3% of…
DG Digest: TSA wants to collect biometric data for drivers, OSHA extends HCS comment period
Spring moves along as we head deeper into April, and it’s a good time to think about company emergency plans. Spring storm season is here, and several recent severe weather outbreaks across the nation remind us that as HS&E professionals, we need to keep our plans up to date to help protect our fellow employees…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 12th, 2021
Week of April 12th, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance More than ever businesses are looking to innovative strategies and technology solutions to increase supply chain efficiency and keep operations running smoothly when disruptions arise. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods…
Hazmat shippers need internal SMEs. Who are they, and how do you train them?
If your organization ships Dangerous Goods with any frequency, you probably have one person whom everyone else goes to with hazmat questions. They’re the go-to guy, the resident wise woman, the walking DG shipping manual—in other words, the internal subject matter expert. And they’re indispensable to your operation. Where did your internal hazmat transport SME…
DG Digest: US Regulatory Agencies Update Semi-annual Agendas
Welcome to April! As we pass into the heart of the Spring season, hopefully everyone is ramping up their efforts to help employees stay safe and get vaccinated if they choose to do so. Let’s all keeping working together to end this pandemic and get our nation back on track. The week featured some significant…
A Public Relations Influx Leaves Federal, Other Organizations Looking Savvy
During the last year or so of global pandemic, Dangerous Goods regulatory bodies have gone to extraordinary lengths to accommodate unforeseen challenges while keeping the hazmat supply chain safe. Now that the world’s economies may be inching their way back toward something resembling normal, these agencies are taking unprecedented measures to raise their images within…
DG Digest: Transport Canada updates COVID-19 exemptions and the Chemical Safety Board to meet virtually on April 2nd.
The end of March finds the regulatory world continuing a fairly quiet spell. Meanwhile, with the return of spring weather, the threat of severe weather is appearing on the radar screen for many areas of the country. If your business is in a place impacted by spring storm season, be sure you and your employees have and…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 29th, 2021
Week of March 29th, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As organizations continue to adapt to changes in the supply chain due to the global pandemic and plan for the “new normal,” technology will no doubt be a big part of it. This is especially true when it comes to managing dangerous…
The 6th Annual DG Confidence Outlook gives your opinion real power.
How often do you get to influence the direction of your entire industry? If you’re a Dangerous Goods professional, now’s your chance. Participate in the 6th annual DG Confidence Outlook, and your voice can resonate throughout the hazmat supply chain. “By participating in this survey, you get a voice to possibly make changes in the…
DG Digest: UN ADR Wraps Up 15th Meeting of the Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Spring arrived Saturday. With it comes not only flowers but the hope of a looming end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many workplaces are assisting interested, eligible employees with finding vaccination availability. Eligibility criteria varies across the country on a state-by-state basis; if your workplace has an assistance program, be sure you’re ready to answer questions…
Guest post: Why your product data must be intelligently stored and organized
Our guest blogger is Clint Boaz, Senior Sales Engineer at ProShip, Inc. If you spend a lot of time cooking, you’re a lot more efficient with an organized spice rack. If you like to grow beautiful things in your yard and garden, you can save a lot of time by getting your shed straightened up.…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 15th, 2021
Week of March 15th, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation can also bring with additional risk, especially when shipping goods classified as hazardous around the world. That’s why it’s critical for organizations to understand how regulations impact their supply chains, and ensure their teams are properly trained to safely and…
These 4 words can be a key to Dangerous Goods terminology
Your typical Dangerous Goods regulatory manual is more than a thousand pages long and may contain close to one million words. How is it possible that four of them could be so important? According to Labelmaster Senior Manager Jim Shimko, “There are four words that can help you interpret the regulations. And they can work…
DG Digest: PHMSA updates ‘org chart’ and ICAO issues 2nd addendum to the TI
The first week in March found the nation increasing its rate of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus. Let’s all keep working together to keep ourselves, our families, and our fellow employees as safe as possible as we push forward to finally end the pandemic. Regulatory activity was relatively minimal during the last week, although PHMSA…
Why smart e-bike retailers consider lithium battery training a growth strategy
E-bikes started as a trend, quickly became a mainstream movement, and are well on their way to becoming a revolution. They’re also a major story for the Dangerous Goods community, because e-bikes are powered by large format lithium batteries. These rechargeable batteries are fully regulated hazmat, since they carry a small but significant risk of…
DG Digest: IATA issues second addendum to the 62nd DGR, PHMSA to hold Lithium Battery Air Safety meeting this week
Today’s digest covers the two weeks just past. The first week of the period was quiet; the second week, quite busy. IATA published a new addendum and PHMSA was quite active. All in all, a busy period. Meanwhile, the vaccination effort against the ongoing pandemic continues. Let’s all keep working and living safe and do our part to battle this…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 1st, 2021
Week of March 1st, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As global commerce continues to evolve, traditional supply chain processes – from shipping documentation and training to capacity pricing and order fulfillment – must also change in order to keep pace. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business…
Next-level hazmat training: An immersive, game-inspired experience
Regulations require training for anyone involved in the transport of Dangerous Goods, but forward-thinking organizations know training can also boost efficiency, reduce errors and improve overall performance. One thing hazmat training has never really been? Fun. But now we’re changing that. Several of our most popular industry-leading online training courses (see below for a complete…
Want to raise your Dangerous Goods game? Study chess!
Like millions of others, we were inspired by The Queen’s Gambit to dig out the chessboard from the back of the closet behind the kids’ games. Unlike millions of others, we’re Dangerous Goods pros, and we sometimes mingle our personal and professional obsessions. So lately we’ve gotten to thinking about intriguing parallels between the world…
DG Digest: OSHA proposes bringing the U.S. inline with U.N.’s 7th revision of GHS.
It’s mid-February, and hopefully everyone had a chance to enjoy the spirit of the Valentine’s Day Holiday. We can all be grateful for loved ones. Keep doing your part to help keep them safe. The week’s biggest news was easily the late in the week publication of a proposed revision to the nation’s Hazard Communication Standard or…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 15th, 2021
Week of February 15th, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Although 2021 is already in full swing, organizations still continue to examine the supply chain and logistics trends that will impact their business moving forward. And for many, the focus revolves around the increasingly important role of technology. To help companies keep…
Everything you need to know about MSDS-SDS conversions
Sometimes, we overlook the obvious. I was working with a client just last week and was asked to evaluate a pair of materials for further handling at a new site they are developing. “Will you please send me the Safety Data Sheets? I’ll take a look and run the numbers,” I said. A few minutes…
DG Digest: Buttigieg confirmed to run DOT, new IATA portal offers guidance for vaccine shippers.
The nation enters the second week of February with vaccination efforts against the COVID-19 virus still accelerating. It’s going to be a long slog to the end of this massive project, but we’re on the road. If your workplace is planning on engaging with health authorities in terms of assisting your workforce, now’s the time to get…
Curious about “extreme” hazmat labels and placards? Try them yourself!
When we introduced hazmat labels, placards and marks for extreme conditions back in 2019, we had no idea that 2020 would introduce a whole new meaning to the words “extreme conditions.” No, our new line of labels, placards and marks was not designed to help Dangerous Goods organizations handle a global pandemic. (The hazmat supply…
DG Digest: OSHA updates workplace Covid-19 guidance and the FAA updates its ‘DRS’ database
Today marks the first day of February—already! As veterans of the election transition process may have expected, the last week of the month featured a fairly quiet regulatory scene as one result of the new administration taking over in Washington, DC. It’s common after a change in administrations for things to get a little slow…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 1st, 2021
Week of February 1st, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As companies continue to adapt to the changing supply chain landscape, many are turning to innovative technologies, new processes and other value-added services to help keep pace. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of…
Two upcoming webinars focus on essential Dangerous Goods issues.
In the Dangerous Goods galaxy, you never run out of new subjects to master. That’s why we try to connect you with industry experts whenever possible. Sometimes a topic—such as cold chain packaging—takes on new importance due to global events. And we’ve got an upcoming webinar for that. Sometimes a regulatory agency such as IATA…
DG Digest: See the significant changes to Amendment 40 of the Covid-19-delayed IMDG Code.
The last full week of the month begins with a new administration in place in Washington. On the DG front, PHMSA will continue business as usual for now. What impact (or not) the new political environment may have on our industry community’s specific interests remain to be seen. The Senate is currently working on the…
A late-life career change strengthens the hazmat supply chain.
One thing that didn’t change amidst all the turmoil in 2020: Truck drivers stayed in high demand. The industry has been talking about a shortage of drivers for years, and that situation is still in evidence. While many industries were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, however, our supply chains remained robust and reliable. In fact,…
DG Digest: PHMSA releases special permit applications, FMCSA gives more leeway for use of corrective eyeware
The nation moves into Inaugural Week with the ongoing struggle against the pandemic still very much front and center. Let’s all be sure we keep our noses to the grindstone and keep doing everything we can to help limit the continuing spread of the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, we’re now in the heart of the winter…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of January 18th, 2021
Week of January 18th, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As organizations look to address gaps within their supply chains over the next year (and beyond), they must recognize how the global landscape is changing and the role technology will play in any new strategies they want to implement. To help companies…
Hazmat Quizmaster: An unforgettable year in Dangerous Goods
STAY SAFE, STAY SANE AND STAY COMPLIANT! Labelmaster has the resources you need to keep your operation efficient and compliant. Questions? Get the answers you need from the Labelmaster Regulatory Hotline. Make sure your shipments are safe and in complete compliance with a full line of solutions from Labelmaster—a full-service provider of goods and services…
DG Digest: US DOT & Sub-agencies Publish Civil Penalties for 2021
Despite our hopes for a smoother start, the second week of the new year found the nation facing not only the ongoing pandemic but also unprecedented political turmoil in Washington, DC. However as Dangerous Goods/EHS Professionals, it’s our job to keep looking forward to better times and to make sure we all do our part…
South American hazmat rules are newly harmonized. Are you trained up?
Those of us in the North American Dangerous Goods supply chain may complain about the complexity of hazmat regulations, but lots of us don’t know how good we have it. After all, we only have to worry about one set of UN Model Regulations. Sure, there may be slight, unharmonized differences between Europe and North…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of January 4th, 2021
Week of January 4th, 2021 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As we enter 2021, it’s important for organizations to apply the lessons learned in 2020 and invest in the necessary technology, processes and training to create the supply chain of today and tomorrow. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends…
DG Digest: IATA publishes addendum to the 62nd DGR
Happy New Year! Hopefully everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and is ready to dive in to what we all fervently hope will be a much better 2021. Although the pandemic continues to “suck all the air from the room” safety wise, don’t forget that the nation is now in its coldest stretch…
If the year 2020 were Dangerous Goods, how would we classify it?
ICAO defines Dangerous Goods as “articles or substances which are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the environment.” By that definition, this year certainly qualifies. If you could somehow ship the year 2020 in a box, you’d have to slap a hazmat label on it. But which label? In which hazard…
The last week of 2020 (hooray!) sees important relief from FMCSA and the end of the ORM-D mark
What has been one of the most difficult years in our nation’s modern history finally comes to an end later this week. It is likely none of us will be unhappy to see 2020 in our rearview mirrors. Meanwhile, although the vaccines currently being distributed will eventually help put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic,…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of December 21st, 2020
Week of December 21st, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As supply chain challenges continue to mount, companies are looking to technology solutions to help them navigate these uncertain times – whether it’s responding to rapid e-commerce growth or preparing to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine around the world. To help companies keep…
DG Digest: IATA issues guidance for vaccines and other pharmaceuticals
The week finds the nation now in the middle of the very heart of the holiday season, but the usual “regulatory slowdown” we often see at this time of year is definitely not in effect. Several actions of note appear this week. Meanwhile, the pandemic continues to rage, although vaccine shipments are now underway and give…
Dangerous Goods in 2020: Remarkable responses to an unprecedented year
January may seem like seven years ago, but 2020 actually began like any other year in the Dangerous Goods galaxy. We all know what’s happened since then. The COVID-19 pandemic has, of course, impacted every sector of the global economy. From a hazmat transport perspective, three major trends emerged: Regulatory bodies overseeing Dangerous Goods transport…
DG Digest: PHMSA extends relief for rules on some hand sanitizer, FRA will require 40 states to develop plans that mitigate crossing risks
Mid-Month December saw PHMSA act to bring back part of the hand sanitizer exemptions that had expired on Halloween; details are below, but it’s important to note that the “new” (reinstated) exemption applies only to subject sanitizers manufactured PRIOR to the original expiration date. Many shippers have moved on from there and are simply shipping…
Why smaller lithium battery marks are actually big news.
In the Dangerous Goods galaxy, regulators often say they work to find the ideal balance between supply chain safety and the needs of industry. Finding that balance is an ongoing process. Regulations aren’t carved in stone—they’re updated continually. Every year, regulatory bodies such as the United Nations Sub-Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and…
DG Digest: FMCSA extends emergency compliance relief related to the pandemic
December has come, bringing our nation into the final month of what has been a very difficult year. As the month opens, the pandemic is rapidly growing in extent again. As workplaces and families both try to prepare for the end of year holidays, be sure to do so as safely as possible. Let’s all…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of December 7th, 2020
Week of December 7th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As supply chain challenges continue to mount, companies are looking to technology solutions to help them navigate these uncertain times – whether it’s responding to rapid e-commerce growth or preparing to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine around the world. To help companies keep…
The quick e-commerce guide to compliant Dangerous Goods returns
There has never been a bigger holiday season for e-commerce. And that means this will also be the biggest holiday season ever for e-commerce returns. Here are the startling stats: In Q3 2020, consumers spent nearly $200 billion online with U.S. retailers, up 37.1% from the same quarter in 2019. 1 in 4 e-commerce purchases…
DG Digest: PHMSA publishes HM-219C and IMO delays enforcement of Amendment 40-20
The week just finished saw the nation celebrate Thanksgiving and roll into the major stretch of the December holidays. As we all await the end of what has been an enormously trying year, let’s focus on helping employees and the transport chain stay safe and in doing our part to help improve the nation’s continued…
For Thanksgiving 2020: a toast to our safe and essential supply chains
This week, a lot of Americans will sit down to much smaller Thanksgiving dinners than usual. It’s been a challenging year on so many levels. Nevertheless, they will raise their glasses and say a toast to the things they’re grateful for. If Labelmaster were hosting Thanksgiving, here’s how our toast might go: Here’s to the…
DG Digest: OSHA publishes ICR on fire extinguishers and the TSA issues ICR on cargo screening.
The coming week finds the nation preparing to celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday it is fair to say is going to be unlike any other that any of us have ever faced before. Be careful, take every necessary precaution to cope with the pandemic, and from the Labelmaster family to yours, we wish each of you…
How cold, for how long? The role of temperature in hazmat shipping.
The prospect of COVID-19 vaccines being approved in the near future has a lot of people suddenly thinking about cold chain shipping. But keeping vaccine doses extremely cold is only the, er, tip of the iceberg when it comes to temperature-controlled shipping. This time of year, with another brutal northern winter on its way, shippers…
DG Digest: PHMSA proposes new ICR on transporting LNG on the Nation’s railways
The week just ended featured both post-election political turmoil as well as the continuing rapid climb in the infection rate of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, our work as DG professionals goes on. Be sure to stay focused on the things that help keep our transport chain and you, your family, and our fellow workers safe. …
Hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses. What do DG shippers need to know?
Sometime in the next few weeks or months, a COVID-19 vaccine will likely be approved by the FDA (and similar bodies in other nations). That will be very, very good news. The bad news is that those vaccines won’t just magically appear at your nearest pharmacy. In fact, safely transporting hundreds of millions of vaccine…
DG Digest: Transport Canada extends temporary COVID-related certifications through January 2021.
As may have been expected with the nation focused so heavily on the national election last week, regulatory activity was at a minimum. Sadly however, the pandemic took no break, with infections rising sharply across our nation. As HS&E professionals, let’s all do what we can to help protect our workplaces and model effective mitigation measures. Only…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of November 9th, 2020
Week of November 9th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance With the surge of e-commerce orders expected to continue through the holiday season and into 2021, manufacturers, retailers, carriers and logistics providers are all looking to technology to help keep pace. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business…
How to ship large format lithium batteries: 13 things every e-commerce shipper must know.
The e-commerce industry has been one of the few beneficiaries of this year’s COVID-19 pandemic. In the second quarter of 2020, e-commerce sales were up 44.4% over the same quarter in 2019. All signs indicate that this year’s holiday season will see another giant surge in e-commerce deliveries. And some of the fastest-growing, most popular…
DG Digest: PHMSA relief exemptions for hand sanitizer expire & the EPA published the thirty-eighth update of Federal Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket.
The nation moves into November facing both a national election as well as, unfortunately, a resurgent pandemic. Let’s all stay calm, act responsibly, and do what we can to contribute to the safety and well being of our country. No matter how things go this Tuesday, in the end, we’re all in this together. The week just…
The ORM-D hazmat mark is being phased out. Here’s its retirement speech.
Starting January 1, 2021, the ORM-D mark will no longer be accepted for Dangerous Goods shipments. Here’s what the mark had to say on the occasion of its retirement from public service. Hello, hazmat shippers and Dangerous Goods professionals everywhere. I’m here to announce my retirement from public service, as my last day on the…
DG Digest: OSHA proposing GHS ICR that could impact five million private employers
As the nation slides towards Halloween at the end of this coming week, it’s good to remember that even though this year will be different because of the ongoing pandemic, in many places children and families will be out celebrating the holiday. Kids get extra excited and many costumes may restrict vision, so let’s all…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of October 26th, 2020
Week of October 26th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The supply chain continues to evolve to keep pace with changing business and commerce landscapes. For many organizations, this requires further investment in technology and innovation. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous…
How hazmat shipping automation helps you find hidden demand (and revenue).
Can you really grow your operation’s revenue by simply automating with hazmat software? That’s the basis of our new DGIS Challenge page, where you can feed numbers from your operation into our simple calculator to see how our Dangerous Goods Information System can help you execute more hazmat shipments every day. And more shipments equals…
DG Digest: DoD publishes AFMAN regulations on military transport of dangerous goods
Mid-October finds the nation confronting a renewed surge in the coronavirus pandemic. As people move indoors from their summertime activities, more frequent chances to pass along infection become a greater possibility. As HSE professionals, let’s do our part to help our workplace limit spread. The week was a relatively quiet one in regulatory terms; here’s the…
11 unforgettable sessions from the 2020 Dangerous Goods Symposium
As much as we love getting together with hazmat pros from around the world at the Dangerous Goods Symposium every September, we have to admit there were several advantages to this year’s all-virtual event: You could attend sessions in your pajamas You could mutter objections to the speaker’s opinion without having everyone at your table…
DG Digest: IATA releases download of Appendix H on competency-based training in advance of 2023 mandate
It’s the second full week of October—time flies! Now’s a great time to review and if need be update your workplace’s cold weather plans. It won’t be too long in many places before snow and ice make a potential early season comeback, so a safety plan for your employees always makes sense. Meanwhile, it’s Thanksgiving…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of October 12th, 2020
Week of October 12th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology is already a key part of having a smooth, efficient and resilient supply chain, and this will become even more true as supply chains continue to evolve and organizations become more forward-thinking. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends…
Chinese hazmat regulations explained! More notes from the 2020 DG Symposium.
Two recent sessions at the all-virtual 2020 Dangerous Goods Symposium explored two of the more complex issues faced by global hazmat transport operations: Chinese regulations and effective training. Not only are Chinese Dangerous Goods regulations often more restrictive than those in Europe or the U.S.—their regulatory structure can be baffling, too. Yet the continued growth…
DG Digest: PHMSA issues enforcement notice regarding ICAO Technical Instructions and IMDG Code
As we move into the first full week of October, it’s good to note that across much of the country, this week is Fire Prevention Week. While all of us are concerned with the ongoing pandemic and responses to it, we should all bear in mind that all of the other, and more typical hazards…
What we can learn from regulatory updates at the DG Symposium
On one level, regulatory update sessions at the 2020 Dangerous Goods Symposium are for true DG diehards—the trainers and shipping managers who have to know hazmat regulations in detail to keep their clients and operations compliant. But even if your job only occasionally touches the Dangerous Goods supply chain, you can still gain valuable insight.…
DG Digest: OSHA to submit ICR on handling of Ethylene Oxide
Welcome to fall! Let’s all hope the new season brings progress on our nation’s efforts to cope with the pandemic, and that the cooler weather helps with the wildfires on our West Coast and brings an end to what has been a very active Atlantic hurricane season. 2020 has just kept coming! We hope you…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of September 28th, 2020
Week of September 28th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation continues to impact the hazmat supply chain in a wide range of ways. Whether it’s leveraging new solutions to improve operations or having to adopt new processes to keep pace with emerging shipping challenges that come as a result of…
An explosive finish to Lithium Battery Week at the 2020 DG Symposium
The final two sessions of Lithium Battery Week at the 2020 Dangerous Goods Symposium were explosive, in different ways. One session featured carriers, regulators, industry reps and top trainers squaring off on the hottest topic in hazmat transport, and other featured video of batteries actually blowing up. Here’s a brief recap. Let’s watch lithium batteries…
DG Digest: Transport Canada releases extensions to COVID-19-related exemptions
The last full week of the summer was a quiet one in the regulatory world, with the action centered on a set of Transport Canada extensions of COVID related regulatory exemptions. See below for those details. Meanwhile, let’s all keep working to help keep our employees and families safe by continuing to follow the recommendations…
Who’s charged up? It’s Lithium Battery Week at the 2020 DG Symposium!
Over the years, the most popular day of the Dangerous Goods Symposium has been Lithium Battery Day. Everyone’s favorite Class 9 Miscellaneous material always seems to make the most news, stir up the most controversy and inspire the most teeth-gnashing. This year, with the Symposium taking place virtually at the new DG Exchange, we were…
DG Digest: IATA releases ‘list of significant changes’ to the 62nd DGR
The week just ended featured a federal holiday. As is often the case at such times, it was extremely quiet in a regulatory sense. However there was one important exception to that from our international partners; the IATA released its “List of Significant Changes” to the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) in the coming 62nd Edition. That edition becomes…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of September 14th, 2020
Week of September 14th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Advancements in technology continue to change the way supply chains operate. But when it comes to transporting dangerous goods, there’s a greater number of risks and compliance factors that must be considered. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting…
Want regulatory updates? The 2020 Dangerous Goods Symposium is underway!
With a pastry and a cup of coffee on your desk, the first session of the 2020 Dangerous Goods Symposium felt a lot like previous years. Two regulatory experts were speaking, and trying to take in all the information they shared was like drinking from a firehose. Of course, this year’s Symposium isn’t like other…
DG Digest: FMCSA proposes pilot program on Hours Of Service for drivers
PHMSA The agency issued its latest group of Special Permit Actions. The actions cover subjects as diverse as cylinder qualifications to the securement of fireworks within transport vehicles. See the actions here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-09-04/pdf/2020-19646.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-09-04/pdf/2020-19641.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-09-04/pdf/2020-19643.pdf FMCSA The agency proposed a pilot program to allow temporary regulatory relief from the Agency’s hours-of-service (HOS) requirement that all…
Lithium Battery Week is coming! Dangerous Goods Symposium preview, part 2
Finally, Dangerous Goods professionals get their own Shark Week. September 14–18 is Lithium Battery Week at the Dangerous Goods Symposium. Unlike previous years when most of the lithium battery sessions were crammed into a single day, this year’s virtual format gives you a full week of updates, insights and controversial opinions about everyone’s favorite Class…
DG Digest: U.S. Agencies Publish Semi-annual Agendas & We Preview the 2021 Early 49 CFR
The end of August brings us to the transition to the autumn and in particular the coming Labor Day holiday. With this year’s pandemic still weighing so heavily on our nation, let’s all remember to enjoy that holiday in accordance with the recommendations of our health experts. Employees may be planning their weekends too, and can…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of August 31 2020
Week of August 31th 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Supply chain risk and challenges continue to increase, especially in the dangerous goods industry. This makes understanding how recent regulatory changes, supply chain trends and technology innovations impact your business and what steps are needed moving forward. To help companies keep a…
Dangerous Goods Symposium preview: Competence, compliance and explosives
This year’s Dangerous Goods Symposium, for obvious reasons, won’t assemble the world’s leading trainers, shippers and regulators together for three days in the same physical space. But it will still bring the world’s hazmat shipping community together. This year, you can experience the Symposium at the new DG Exchange—the Dangerous Goods industry’s first digital community.…
DG Digest: Transport Canada to allow some COVID-19 DG-related transport exemptions to expire
As we roll towards the end of the summer period, the nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s all remember to social distance, wear masks when needed, and wash our hands. 2020 has turned into a long haul for everyone, but together we can beat this thing. Keep working at it! It was…
Changes you’ll see in the 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is essential for all frontline Dangerous Goods personnel, and the 2020 version is finally almost here! We expect to ship our first deliveries in four to five weeks. As expected, this year’s ERG has a multitude of changes from the 2016 version, as PHMSA has assembled an international group of…
Shouldn’t you have more confidence in your hazmat supply chain partners?
Very few organizations maintain their own end-to-end supply chains—we all depend on partners to some extent. That’s why it was disheartening to learn, in the 2019 Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook, that so many hazmat pros had so little confidence in their supply chain partners: 71% of respondents wished their supply chain partners were as compliant…
DG Digest: PHMSA published three sets of Special Permits, EPA released final TSCA evaluation of 1-BP
It’s mid-August and although the pandemic continues to dominate the news cycle, it’s a great time to remember to help protect the safety of employees during the heat of the summer. It’s the hottest time of the year in most of the country; make sure that workers remain mindful of their safety, and keep your…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of August 17 2020
Week of August 17th 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The dangerous goods supply chain complex, high risk and constantly evolving. That’s driving more companies to leverage innovative technologies throughout their operations. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout the supply…
What are operator variations, and how do they impact your hazmat shipments?
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations manual—known throughout the supply chain as the “IATA DGR”—is universally acknowledged as the world’s single authority on the compliant transport of hazardous materials by air. It’s more than 1,000 pages thick. Surely IATA has issued every rule any shipper would need to know, right? Not quite. There’s a whole chapter…
DG Digest: USPS Offers Two Pub. 52 Change Proposals
The nation enters the second week of August with most of the country still struggling to contain the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Be sure you, your family, and your workplace colleagues do the best you can to help stop the spread and protect everyone’s health. There was a variety of news this week. The Postal Service…
The new DG Exchange: Your connection to the Dangerous Goods supply chain community
Not long ago, a longtime friend and colleague told us, “I wish the Dangerous Goods Symposium could somehow happen all year long.” That idea – a year-round place where supply chain and business professionals can connect and share their questions, insights and experience about Dangerous Goods—was the inspiration for the DG Exchange. Launching August 10,…
Beirut explosion reinforces need for hazmat storage safety
On August 4th, 2020, a massive explosion destroyed the port and devastated much of the city of Beirut, Lebanon, located on the Mediterranean Sea. While only preliminary reports exist as of press time, indications are that the blast may have been the result of the detonation for causes yet to be determined of up to…
DG Digest: PHMSA issues ICR on safety of last week’s ruling allowing LNG on railways
The nation enters August still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic; so far at least it shows little signs of abating in most of the country. We can all help control this outbreak by following appropriate CDC guidelines, being mindful of our neighbors, and doing our best to help. We can win this fight, but we…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of August 03 2020
Week of August 3rd, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the critical role technology plays within the supply chain. And for some, it has placed a spotlight on the need for greater investment in technology moving forward. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting…
Results of the 5th Annual DG Confidence Outlook: strengths, weaknesses and tremendous resilience
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the global dangerous goods supply chain. Yet even as the industry has shown tremendous resilience, this crisis has shed light on weaknesses related to DG organizations’ ability to keep shipments safe and compliant, and the need for further investment in DG training, technology and infrastructure. The 5th annual DG…
DG Digest: PHMSA and FRA to allow LNG (UN 1972) on railways in enhanced tankers
As we approach the end of July, response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate the nation’s attention and effort. Accelerating infection rates in many regions are causing renewed shutdowns at some employers. What we can do as an industry is to work to help keep our employees as safe as possible, and ensure that…
How to evaluate and evolve your Dangerous Goods training program—part 2
Last week, we shared strategies from leading Dangerous Goods trainers for evaluating hazmat training programs to determine when they need updating. Here are some powerful tips for evolving your training program to match your current operation—and preparing it for future growth. If 2020 has proved anything, it’s that businesses must always be ready to adapt…
DG Digest: Transport Canada provides regulatory relief for heath care workers and ICAO offers guidance for “iPACKS” amid pandemic.
Mid-July is here and the U.S. continues to struggle against a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important for everyone to take all the actions they can to help protect themselves, their families, and their fellow employees as we all continue to work towards a resolution of this extraordinary circumstance. It was a moderately active week on…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of July 20 2020
Week of July 20th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology can impact every part of the supply chain. But in order to achieve real business value from it, organizations must select the right solutions and have the right processes in place. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting…
How to evaluate and evolve your Dangerous Goods training program—part 1
There are two reasons every organization that handles Dangerous Goods must conduct DG training: Regulations require that hazmat employees receive function-specific hazmat training. Training helps employees do their jobs better, which makes hazmat shipping safer and more efficient. Most businesses in the hazmat supply chain recognize that #2 is even more important than #1, and…
DG Digest: PHMSA extends relaxation of enforcement for COVID-19 specific rules
The new week brings with it renewed concerns over the pace of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak continues to accelerate at present, so it’s more important than ever for us to make sure that our workplaces follow all applicable guidelines to keep employees as safe as possible under the present circumstances. The week also brought…
Why Dangerous Goods technology alone can’t improve your performance
Think about the early 1900s, when engine-powered trucks started to replace horse-drawn wagons. Now that was a supply chain revolution! But buying a truck didn’t automatically vault a business into a new level of productivity. Operators had to train their teams on new skills such as truck driving and engine repair. They had to overhaul…
DG Digest: EU notifies of proposed amendments to the ADR
The week that ended with the Independence Day holiday finds the US continuing its battle with the novel coronavirus outbreak. Let’s all keep moving forward and doing our best to help mitigate the outbreak. The week was very quiet in a regulatory sense, perhaps typical of summer holiday periods. Our friends in the EU kept…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of July 6 2020
Week of July 6th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The right technology can drive improvements throughout every part of the supply chain – both in the short-term (as companies continue to navigate the effects of the pandemic) and the long-term. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business…
The hazmat pro’s guide to the American Revolution
It’s been a challenging year, but the 4th of July is right around the corner, and we intend to celebrate! How? By sharing the true story of American independence as only fellow Dangerous Goods professionals can understand it. Every American schoolchild learns the classic version of the American Revolution, from the Boston Tea Party to…
DG Digest: PHMSA extends COVID-19 exceptions, EPA publishes final Methylene Chloride risk evaluation
As we wrap up June, the nation is unfortunately experiencing a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic in many states. It’s important to be mindful of the necessary precautions to help keep your workplace as safe as possible for your level of operations. It’s also important to stay safe at home and while in your community.…
Three ways we can help hazmat operations handle change and uncertainty
Raise your hand if you love change and uncertainty! Yeah, that’s what we thought. Unfortunately, the first half of 2020 has brought about more change and uncertainty than any organization in the Dangerous Goods supply chain ever wants to deal with. It can be overwhelming. Are you facing challenges you never imagined a few weeks…
DG Digest Special Notice: PHMSA extends emergency exemptions for hand sanitizer shipping and recertification training
In breaking news, today PHMSA published deadline extensions to its currently in force emergency exemptions allowing for both non-standard domestic ground shipment of some alcohol based hand sanitizers as well as a continuation of the extension of training recertification requirements under the 49 CFR 172.704(c)(2) past their normal expiration dates. The extensions will now run…
DG Digest: OSHA renews ICR on safety of scissor lifts
The last full week of June and the official beginning of the summer season find regulatory activity at a quiet minimum. One big question as we begin to approach July: the status of PHMSA’s emergency exemptions surrounding both training re-certifications and the domestic ground shipment of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. These exemptions have allowed for the non-standard treatment…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of June 22 2020
Week of June 22nd, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The need to create an agile and resilient supply chain has become evident over the past few months. Now, organizations are looking to implement the technology and processes that will enable them to succeed in today’s marketplace while also preparing for the…
Our design critic picks his top 7 social distancing and sanitizing signs
It’s been a while since we heard from design critic Stewart D.O. North, but he recently reached out to share his opinions on our new line of social distancing and hand sanitizing safety signs. North, of course, is no ordinary critic. He’s also a hazmat aficionado who’s written detailed critiques of hazmat labels and floor…
DG Digest: PHMSA announces development of U.S. policy on safety devices in transport
Mid-June finds the nation enduring another week forward in our “summer like no other.” As areas reopen from pandemic related lockdowns, be sure to be safe yourself, follow health guidelines and do all you can to help your fellow employees be safe too. Concurrently be aware of civil actions that may encompass the location of…
New hazmat shippers: This webinar is your ideal introduction to DG.
On June 24, 2020, Labelmaster Vice President–Software & Customer Success Mario Sagastume and ProShip Senior Sales Engineer Clint Boaz presented “Living Dangerously: Demystifying Hazmat Shipping.” Watch the complete recorded webinar here. When you’re a shipper who is new to Dangerous Goods, where do you start? That’s a question Mario Sagastume deals with all the time—and…
DG Digest: FMCSA publishes revised Hazardous Materials Route Registry
The week just ended found us all seemingly stuck on “repeat,” which has become an enduring facet of one of the most difficult years the United States has faced in the modern era. Efforts to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and deal with our nation’s civil crisis continued. In the meantime, regulatory action continues, although…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of June 8th 2020
Week of June 8th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The last few months have put tremendous pressure on many supply chains. It has also put a spotlight on the importance of having the right technology, processes and human capital in place to create (and maintain) a resilient and flexible supply chain.…
The 5th Annual DG Confidence Outlook will explore hazmat pros’ new challenges.
The last few months have demonstrated that we have an extraordinarily robust and resilient supply chain. Despite the greatest global disruption in generations, most consumer goods are still available and most industries have been able to maintain production. Dangerous Goods organizations and their workers have more than done their part to keep the global supply…
DG Digest: FMCSA revised HOS rules and OSHA to hold virtual public meetings in advance of International sessions on GHS
The nation completed another very difficult of week coping with the coronavirus pandemic as well as emerging civic strife engendered by very unfortunate current events. Here’s hoping that along with health, that peace and justice make a quick return for all the people of our nation. There were several items of interest in the regulatory world,…
Labelmaster hazmat packaging innovations banish “Paint Can Hell,” make shipping bigger lithium batteries easier.
Who thought it was a good idea to ship volatile hazmat items in paint cans? Certainly no one who’s ever painted their living room. First you need a screwdriver or a special “key” to pry the lid off the can, and it takes so much effort you end up sloshing some out onto the floor.…
DG Digest: PHMSA withdraws proposed vapor limits for unrefined petroleum and class 3 materials on the nation’s railways
The nation paused over the weekend just concluded to honor its fallen military veterans and also, this year, to mark the unimaginable toll taken of our fellow citizens by the COVID-19 pandemic. Surely it was a Memorial Day unlike any of us now living has experienced. The Labelmaster family joins our country in honoring those…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 25th 2020
Week of May 25th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The supply chain has become increasingly reliant on technology – both to gather the data and insights needed to develop an optimal strategy and then to be able to effectively execute that strategy. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends…
Want to show supply chain workers real gratitude? Make hazmat compliance more important.
For workers in the Dangerous Goods supply chain, the first quarter of 2020 was extraordinary—for two reasons. The first reason? That’s obvious. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered seismic shifts in what we ship, how much we ship and how we ship it, and the global supply chain met the challenge. Despite a steep drop in overall…
DG Digest: FAA issues further guidance to carriers and crews; PHMSA in battles with two states over jurisdictional authority
In what we may all welcome as a hopeful sign of progress, mid-May finds, for the first time in several weeks, a relatively quiet regulatory world, with only a few actions in the news. Given the heavy load of notices that have characterized the blog in the last six weeks or so, perhaps we’re all…
This crisis highlights the importance of our extraordinary supply chain
No matter how well you appreciated the value of a well-functioning supply chain a few months ago, you probably have a far greater appreciation now. Two months after most of the world’s largest economies started slowing down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, most consumer goods are still available. (Well, except maybe for hand sanitizer.)…
DG Digest: ICAO publishes COVID-19 safety handbook for the aviation industry and PHMSA issues HM-215O final rule
May continues under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, in what we may all perhaps hope represents a step towards recovery, the big news this week is far more focused towards what we all might call “normal” regulatory activity, rather than the specific, focused actions related to the outbreak which have had primacy over…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 11th 2020
Week of May 11th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Business has become increasingly decentralized and organizations are having to adjust processes and supply chain operations to keep pace with this new normal. At times like these, your technical infrastructure can make all the difference. To help companies keep a pulse on…
DG industry data: PHMSA’s incident report highlights greatest supply chain safety risks in Q1
Hazmat incidents may be more common than you realize. Despite the great work by Hazmat/DG Professionals — those making sure that compliance to transport regulations are strictly followed for each shipment — incidents of all manner happen regularly. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) gathers all U.S. DG/Hazmat incident…
Our new HazMatters Podcast: Great Dangerous Goods advice, no reading glasses required.
One of the true pleasures of the Dangerous Goods Symposium is hearing experienced hazmat professionals explain complicated issues so clearly everyone can understand them. New shippers in the audience have often been heard to say, “Okay, now I get it. Now I know how to make this happen in my operation.” Now you can have…
DG Digest: USPS releases major revisions to Pub 52 in support of rapid transport of COVID-19 samples
The beginning of the first week in May finds the nation collectively grateful to say goodbye to a COVID-19 dominated April that must certainly rank as one of the worst and certainly tragic such months in living memory. As May begins, various locations around the nation are starting to grapple with how to begin to…
Shipping hazmat from a home office? Here’s how to make it work.
Admit it: You used to take hallway conversations for granted. As a supply chain professional, how many times have you had a question about something and just walked down the hall and gotten an answer within minutes? These days, getting that same answer might require a chat, an email or a dreaded video call that…
DG Digest: PHMSA eases enforcement of pandemic-related transport, and FMCSA offers hours-of-service relief for those transporting needed supplies
The week just concluded retained COVID-19 related regulatory activity as its primary focus as the nation began, at least in a few geographic areas, to show slight signs of improvement with decreases in the rate of rise of transmission being tentatively reported. However, all of us have a long way to go together to get…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 27th 2020
Week of April 27th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology helps organizations create flexible and agile operations that supports growth and enables them to adapt when disruptions arise. That’s why it’s important for companies to be forward-thinking in their technology investment. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business…
Webinar: Keeping hazmat air shipments compliant during a pandemic
In urgent times like these, air cargo is more essential than ever to the global supply chain.
DG Digest: HHS updates requirements for new class of respirators, PHMSA provides guidance for handling shipping papers
The week just concluded finds the COVID-19 outbreak continuing to dominate regulatory activity, though there is a strong leavening of other news. Meanwhile, all of us continue to work towards moving the nation into a recovery phase, whenever that may become safe. For now, stay the course! Continue social distancing, wash those hands, protect your…
PHMSA Issues Hazmat Shipping Paper Guidance During COVID-19 Social Distancing
On April 10, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a guidance document addressing the transfer of hazardous material shipping papers during the current COVID-19 pandemic. PHMSA has received many questions related to the transfer of shipping papers between shippers and carriers, and the difficulties with maintaining…
Supply chain heroes of the pandemic: Two stories we have to share
If we were to write about all the supply chain heroes of the COVID-19 crisis, this post would be hundreds of pages long. The people who keep our stores full of food, our plants supplied with parts and our hospitals stocked with critical supplies? They can’t shelter at home—and we can’t function without them. (Let’s…
DG Digest: PHMSA releases interpretive guide and USPS issues special exemption for hand sanitizer transport
The holiday weekend just concluded finds the nation still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic as the overriding priority in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. This applies to the logistics sector as well, with several new items of interest related to the subject. Life does go on in the meantime too of course, and this is…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 13 2020
Week of April 13th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The supply chain is becoming faster and increasingly more complex. As a result, dangerous goods companies must have the necessary technologies and processes in place in order to make strategic, data-driven decisions, and then effectively execute those strategies. To help companies keep a…
Hazmat Quizmaster: An easy 2-minute quiz for Dangerous Goods newbies.
STAY SAFE, STAY SANE AND STAY COMPLIANT! Whether you’re shipping hazmat for the first time or it’s been part of your operation for years, Labelmaster has the resources you need to keep your operation efficient and compliant. Questions? Get the answers you need from the Labelmaster Regulatory Hotline. Make sure your shipments are safe and…
DG Digest: PHMSA & Transport Canada ease transport rules on hand sanitizer
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis continues to dominate regulatory activity. Several new actions dealing with it were promulgated during the last week and we’ll cover them below. Labelmaster continues to serve the DG logistics chain during this time when it’s become even more important. We’re working safe and doing everything we can to be a positive…
The danger counterfeit lithium batteries pose requires a global response
Geoff Leach is a consulting partner and was the former Head of the UK CAA Dangerous Goods Office and Chairman of the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel. After 32 years at the CAA, in 2014, he set up The Dangerous Goods Office Limited offering training and consultancy around the world. By Geoff Leach One of the…
Distilleries making hand sanitizer? Hooray! Here’s how to ship it safely.
Among all the dire news surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, there’s one story that’s lightened a lot of people’s moods: distillers of alcoholic beverages (including several in the Chicago area) switching over some of their production to make desperately needed hand sanitizer. We love this story because: Supplies of hand sanitizer have been running low at…
DG Digest: PHMSA temporarily relaxing recurrent training certificate requirement, HHS announces list of scarce materials threatened by hoarding
The COVID-19 crisis commands most of the week’s regulatory news. As the world continues to work through its response, the weekly DG Digest will continue in its present format during the crisis: one section devoted specifically to news related to the pandemic, with other news in a separate section. Labelmaster remains fully operational and serving…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 30 2020
Week of March 30th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain has put a spotlight on the importance of having adequate technology, infrastructure and processes to adapt to unexpected changes, ensure safety and comply with the latest regulations – a reality dangerous goods shippers face every…
What COVID-19 test sites must know about shipping infectious substances
For complete guidelines and resources for transporting COVID-19 test samples, please visit our coronavirus shipping guidelines page. With new COVID-19 test sites setting up all over the United States and the world, many businesses and their employees will be transporting infectious substances for the first time. These shippers must be aware of two important topics:…
DG Digest: vital transport, extra hand sanitizer, critical infrastructure workforce — agencies respond to the global pandemic
As readers have no doubt already guessed, the global response to the COVID-19 outbreak dominates this week’s regulatory news, with a widening variety of actions now being promulgated to assist the transport industry in coping with the unprecedented situation. Labelmaster has been designated as an essential business in this circumstance and will continue to operate. …
Virtual hazmat training: interactive, customized and ideal for these times
While you’re coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many things you can put off until life gets back to normal. Hazmat training, however, is probably not one of them. If your—or your team’s—certifications are coming due, you have to renew your training, or you risk fines for non-compliance. (Expired or incomplete training certifications are…
DG Digest: ICAO/IATA and ADR react to the pandemic, FRA seeks comments on quarterly PTC form
As all of our readers know, the COVID-19 pandemic is now dominating the news and is affecting transport worldwide and well beyond impacts to private travelers. Its overall impact to industry and trade remains to be seen, but as dangerous goods professionals it’s our responsibility to keep things moving safely during this unsettled time. Let’s…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 16 2020
Week of March 16th, 2020 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Growing customer demands, increasing order volumes, stricter regulations and a host of other factors continue to put pressure on the supply chain – especially for companies shipping dangerous goods. This makes having the right technology solutions in place more important than ever. To…
Spring Psychosis! It’s our 2020 Dangerous Goods tournament bracket!
Welp, it’s supposed to be that time of year when high school and college basketball teams start playing each other in single-elimination tournaments, and people everywhere had planned to put up brackets on cubicle walls. Unfortunately, Covid-19 virus concerns have caused the cancellation of many large gatherings and sports tournaments as folks here in the…
DG Digest: U.S. DOT and PHMSA each outline revised guidance on regulatory roles
The second week in March finds the nation continuing to cope with the growing COVID-19 viral outbreak. Help your employees stay safe by emphasizing the basics: hand washing, covering one’s mouth for sneezes and coughs, stay home if ill, and don’t panic. We can do this! In other news, on Sunday we all “sprang forward.” …
Undeclared hazmat? The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is on the case.
Say you need a replacement 420 Wh battery for your electric snowblower. Instead of ordering a new one from the manufacturer, you find an online retailer offering a used battery at a discount. When the battery arrives, you—being somewhat knowledgeable about the rules governing transport of lithium batteries—are surprised to see it’s in a plain,…
DG Digest: DOT announces $1 billion in infrastructure grants
The first week in March finds the nation confronting a potentially serious health threat in the form of the new COVD-19 coronavirus. The biggest positive actions we as regulatory and EHS professionals can take to help our fellow employees is to encourage everyone to not panic, and to employ common sense precautions like thorough hand…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 2, 2020
Week of March 2nd, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology is helping improve supply chain performance and deliver greater business value. But not every aspect of the supply chain is getting the attention (and investment) it deserves. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of…
What is master data, and why is it so important for hazmat transport?
What exactly are you shipping? Simple question, right? Not at all. It turns out a lot of shippers don’t know exactly what they’re shipping, and that lack of knowledge has a profound ripple effect on the entire supply chain. I’m talking here about master data—complete, detailed information about a product’s components, makeup, dimensions and origins.…
DG Digest: while not changing regulations, Transport Canada to reform the language of TDGR
Winter slogs on as we approach the end of February and look forward to March, which, according to tradition, “comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” Let’s all hope so! Meanwhile, the week just concluded saw a number of actions of interest, with both national and international actions taking place that…
7 misconceptions about attending the Dangerous Goods Symposium
Have you ever attended Labelmaster’s Dangerous Goods Symposium? If so, here’s what you need to know right now: The 2020 Dangerous Goods Symposium will be held September 9-11 in Chicago You’ll save $50 by registering by April 30, 2020. Now, if you’ve never attended the DG Symposium, you might have a reason or two why…
DG Digest: FRA publishes regulation on risk reduction programs and FMCSA announces reduced fees for states
The week just ended found regulatory activity about normal—several actions of interest including several Special Permit actions from PHMSA and a big new final rule from the FRA. In another story that is not currently receiving heavy US media coverage, our Canadian neighbors are experiencing an environmental and political dispute that has had a significant impact…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 17, 2020
Week of February 17, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The supply chain greatly impacts an organization’s overall performance, and managing dangerous goods safely and compliantly as part of its operations adds a greater level of complexity. That’s why it’s more important than ever for companies to have the right technology and processes…
DG Digest: In response to derailments, Transport Canada orders ‘Key Trains’ to limit speed to 25 mph
We begin the second week of February with Transport Canada taking center stage on the regulatory scene in a major action directed at addressing train operating safety following a pair of recent oil train derailments. Find the details on that below. A variety of other and somewhat less minor—but still interesting–actions rounded out the week’s…
How to ship lithium batteries by air—in 2020 and beyond
Since 2016, when the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) implemented drastically more restrictive global regulations on shipping lithium batteries by air, shippers have adapted and done their best to comply. Yet many still find the regulations confusing and have questions about what they can and cannot do. In March 2019, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials…
DG Digest: OSHA seeks renewal of HAZWOPER program and UNECE published a Corrigendum to the EU ADR
It’s the first week of February and regardless of whether the trusty groundhog did or didn’t see his shadow where you live on Sunday, it’s likely that you and your employees are still facing a considerable stretch of winter weather before things start to brighten up and get warmer. Be sure your team stays focused…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 03, 2020
Week of February 03, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology helps drive business forward – that’s why companies continue to invest in the cutting-edge tech innovations that will shape the supply chain of the future. But dangerous goods shippers cannot afford to overlook the solutions that impact their operation today. To help…
DOT PHMSA Hosts First Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee Meeting
Last week DOT PHMSA hosted the first Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee meeting at DOT Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and I had the pleasure of the attending the meeting alongside Labelmaster Services V.P. of Consulting, Pia Jala. Lithium cell and battery production throughout the world continues to grow at an astonishing rate due to…
DG Digest: FMCSA extends IRC on highway routing of hazmat, FRA sets drug & alcohol test rates for 2020
Last Saturday marked the Chinese New Year; the year 4718 in the Chinese calendar and the Year of the Rat, which renews the twelve year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. In Chinese culture, rats represent the positive traits of quickness, cleverness, and the ability to thrive even under difficult circumstances. The Labelmaster family wishes all…
Have a hazmat question? Have a phone? Call our DG Regulations Hotline!
Wouldn’t it be great if, the next time you had a question about Dangerous Goods transport—any question at all—you could just pick up the phone and ask an expert? You can. And it’s free. Just call the Labelmaster Regulatory Hotline. Call 1.800.621.5808—8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central time, Monday through Friday—and ask to speak to…
DG Digest: PHMSA issues IRC on portable tanks and IBCs; FRA is proposing changes to train brake inspections
Mid-January finds the regulatory world getting busy again as the nation weathers fierce winter weather. The UNECE has a pair of very interesting published revisions to important documents; we cover that below, along with a variety of other actions. Meanwhile it’s the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday; the Labelmaster family wishes…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of January 20, 2020
Week of January 20, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Collaboration is becoming an increasingly integral part of the supply chain as companies look to further improve operational efficiency, increase transparency and gain a competitive advantage. Fortunately, the ability for companies to better collaborate with their supply chain partners have been enabled by…
Why it’s absolutely essential to choose the right hazmat placard
True fact: No one ever got promoted for choosing the right hazmat placard. Choosing the wrong placard, however, could have negative consequences for anyone’s job prospects. Think about it. Every Dangerous Goods shipment represents a significant investment in time and materials, and it could be part of a supply chain impacting several organizations. Yet one…
DG Digest: IMO releases corrigendum for the 39th IMDG Code
It’s the end of the first full week of the New Year and as far as such things go, it was relatively quiet, although the IMO released a newsworthy corrigendum for the IMDG Code. We’ll discuss that in a bit more detail below. An FRA notice rounded out the week’s news. The country is entering…
8 Dangerous Goods myths and misconceptions—busted!
Remember Mythbusters? A couple of former Hollywood effects pros created one of the top shows on cable TV by debunking popular myths and misconceptions. They proved—over and over—that just because “everyone knows” something doesn’t make it true. If there were a supply chain TV network, Dangerous Goods professionals could probably run their own version of…
DG Digest: EPA continues to refine TCSA and FRA proposes new truck safety standards
Welcome to 2020! It’s the first DG Digest of the New Year and new decade; here’s to a safe and successful year for you and yours. We’ll continue to bring our readers all the latest regulatory news of interest right here, so let’s get started. The last week of 2019 was typical of a holiday…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of January 6, 2020
Week of January 6, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance 2020 is here and technology is poised to continue transforming the supply chain. This is especially true for dangerous goods shippers as they much adapt to the continued growth of e-commerce, evolving consumer demands, increasing regulations and much more. To help companies keep…
Hazmat hopes 2020: If Dangerous Goods professionals ran the world
Every fall, we invite everyone who attends the Dangerous Goods Symposium (and lots of other hazmat pros) to answer one simple question: If you could wish for one thing in the entire Dangerous Goods galaxy, what would it be? Now, for the third straight year, we’ve compiled those answers to kick off our year with…
DG Digest: Semi-annual regulatory agendas & the new PHMSA Lithium Battery Committee
The final DG Digest of 2019 finds regulatory activity at a surprisingly high and extensive level for the holiday period; it’s usually a slow time, but not this year! 2019 is over; what will 2020 bring to the regulatory scene? Perhaps the biggest unresolved question in the United States remains the final status of the…
8 minor miracles in honor of the first-ever hazmat Hanukkah
It’s the holiday season, so naturally it’s time for a holiday post. And this time we’re doing something different. We’ve done holiday gift guides. We’ve also done Valentine’s Day, Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, Independence Day and, of course, Halloween. But as far as we know, no one’s ever done a Hanukkah-themed post about Dangerous Goods…
DG Digest: PHMSA extends comment period for its Liquefied Natural Gas by rail NPRM
The penultimate digest week of the year finds regulatory activity much busier than one might have otherwise expected it to be, with several actions of interest. Meanwhile, this week begins the heart of the holiday season. The Labelmaster family wishes you and yours a safe and joyous holiday! Here’s all the latest: PHMSA The agency…
Revisiting the most important 2019 hazmat regulations—and previewing 2020
The biggest regulatory news in 2019 may have been something that didn’t happen—PHMSA’s HM-215O International Harmonization rule, which would have aligned U.S. regulations with the most recent UN Model Regulations, ICAO Technical Instructions and IMDG Code. HM-215O will almost certainly be formalized in 2020. Meanwhile, here’s a look back at the significant regulatory developments that…
DG Digest: PHMSA special permit to allow liquified natural gas on railways
Mid-December finds regulatory activity about average, with several actions. At this time of year, our employees can feel very distra