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…
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Why Dangerous Goods technology alone can’t improve your performance
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The hazmat pro’s guide to the American Revolution
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Three ways we can help hazmat operations handle change and uncertainty
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DG Digest Special Notice: PHMSA extends emergency exemptions for hand sanitizer shipping and recertification training
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Our design critic picks his top 7 social distancing and sanitizing signs
Latest Posts
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 distracted with holiday plans and parties, shopping, and other preparations. Let’s all be sure to help them stay focused on safety both in the workplace and off the job. No one wants a holiday accident to…
DOT’s Check the Box making progress against undeclared Dangerous Goods
Hazardous Matt is on a roll, and the “plain brown box” is in retreat. This time last year we took a first look at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Check the Box program, a multimedia campaign that addresses the ongoing problem of undeclared Dangerous Goods—also known as the “plain brown box.” The star of the…
DG Digest: IATA releases addendum for the 61st DGR
We move fully into the month of December and its approaching holiday period with the biggest news being a brand-new Addendum for the 61st Edition of the IATA DGR; that’s the new volume that will become effective on January 1st, so change is in the air for it already. The EPA as well as our…
Why the new lithium battery test summary rules are nothing to stress out about
On January 1, 2020, a new regulation goes into effect that will impact every organization that manufactures or distributes lithium batteries and/or the equipment they power. These companies will be required to share information, known as a “test summary,” that proves their batteries meet the testing standards as defined in sub-section 38.3 of the UN…
DG Digest: PHMSA seeks comments on IRC for high-hazard flammables trains
Welcome back from the long weekend! Hopefully everyone enjoyed a nice rest and safe travels. As one might expect with the shortened week containing the Thanksgiving holiday, regulatory action over the last seven days was relatively minimal. Here’s the action to begin December: PHMSA The agency published a request for comment on a proposed revision…
This Thanksgiving, DG also stands for “Deepest Gratitude.”
We know lots of Dangerous Goods professionals are on vacation this week, but the supply chain never takes a holiday. That’s why we’d like to take a few moments to share our thanks for everyone who helps keep our highways, skies, rails and oceans safe. Thank you to the truckers, pilots, train drivers and others…
DG Digest: EPA announces public meeting on implementation of the TSCA New Chemicals program
The nation enters the Thanksgiving holiday period this week with regulatory activity remaining relatively minor. The Labelmaster family wishes you and yours a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day! Here’s the latest news: EPA On December 10, 2019, EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) will hold a public meeting to engage with interested…
Hazmat Quizmaster: How well do you know today’s Dangerous Goods industry?
MAKE COMPLIANCE A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Competitively Compliant companies use superior compliance processes to grow revenues and improve profitability. Want to know where you stand? Take the free Total Value of Compliance assessment. 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: OSHA to meet on policies to help improve worker safety in December
Mid-November found regulatory activity at minimal levels. Meanwhile, as the nation begins its transition into the holiday season, be sure that safety remains an important part of your employee population’s schedule. Here’s the latest news: OSHA The agency announced a meeting of its National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health, which, as its name…
Meet Jay Johnson: an enthusiastic proponent of hazmat compliance
The next time anyone suggests to you that Dangerous Goods regulations are dry and boring, introduce them to Jay Johnson, our new Senior Manager at Labelmaster Services. “I am really passionate about Dangerous Goods. I’ve been a shipper, a courier, a trainer and a UN specification packaging developer —I’ve worn all the hats,” he says.…
DG Digest: DOT appoints members to first Lithium Battery Advisory Committee
It’s November 11th; today the nation pauses to remember and express its gratitude to our military veterans, so many of whom have given so much for all of us. The Labelmaster family joins the rest of our country in saying, “Thank you, veterans!” Unexpectedly severe cold and snow also grips the nation as this issue…
CHEMTREC Hazmat Summit: Safety all the way to the end of the supply chain
Last week, three Labelmaster team members attended the first-ever CHEMTREC® International Hazmat Summit in Houston—a “one-of-a-kind forum for all interested parties involved in the safe transportation, handling, and use of hazardous materials, including shippers, carriers, and emergency and spill clean-up responders.” We partner with CHEMTREC as their exclusive supplier for hazmat shipping labels, markings and…
DG Digest: Inflationary pressures force U.S. DOT to adjust civil penalties for some agencies
As October becomes November, snow and cold begin to be more of a factor across much of the nation. If your company is located in a zone where this is an issue, be sure you have your winter safety plans up to date. Snowplow contractors can get busy, so be sure you have yours lined…
Shipping hazmat to (or from) China? Here are 5 things you must know
One of the most fascinating presentations at the latest Dangerous Goods Symposium was from Terry Guo, CDGP, DGSA, Regulatory Specialist and China Representative with IHMM. His presentation on “Hazardous Materials Transport Requirements in China” was an excellent primer on a very complex subject. You can download his full presentation here, but we also spoke with…
DG Digest: PHMSA to permit LNG/Methane transport in DOT-1113 rail tank cars
It’s the last week of October and everyone knows what that means: the Halloween holiday. Remind your employees to be extra careful when traveling home from work on Thursday as our nation’s streets fill with excited children, many of whom may also be wearing costumes that restrict their peripheral vision. Employees too may be less…
Labelmaster remembers Abe Samuels
The entire Dangerous Goods community lost a dear friend last week when former Labelmaster National Sales Manager Abe Samuels passed away at age 98. “Abe touched everyone who met him in a remarkable way. From the devotion he had to his family, to the collegial relationships to which he dedicated himself — and the industry…
Hazmat Quizmaster: How well do you know the Western U.S. states?
Call 800.621.5808 or visit labelmaster.com/ship-west to learn more about our great prices and lower shipping charges for shipping out West. 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 for hazardous materials and Dangerous Goods professionals, shippers, transport operators and EH&S…
DG Digest: PHMSA special permits announced and U.N. GHS 8th Revision now available for download
Mid-October finds the regulatory scene continuing to be fairly active as the season advances. The leaves are falling; be sure to keep your workplace’s sidewalks and other walkways clear to avoid leaves hiding cracks, bumps, or other imperfections that could pose a trip hazard for employees and visitors. Here’s all the latest news: PHMSA The…
At Parcel Forum 2019, Labelmaster will share a Dangerous Goods primer
If you’re in the business of delivering parcels, you might be thrilled and terrified at the same time these days. Thrilled because the rise of e-commerce has created more parcels to deliver, so business is good. Terrified because consumer demands—Tomorrow? Heck, I want it today!—make business more challenging than ever. Oh, and don’t look now,…
DG Digest: IATA updates dangerous goods acceptance checklists for the upcoming 61st DGR
The first week of October found regulatory activity rising quickly from its now-passed summer doldrums, with a variety of new actions. The FMCSA was quite busy in the US, while the issuance of the 21st Edition of the UNMR gives industry professionals a new model to consider. See all the action right here: IATA The…
Labelmaster answers battery recyclers’ questions at E-Scrap 2019
What happens to your laptop once you shut it down for the last time? That’s a central question at the E-Scrap conference and Trade Show, the biggest event of the year for the electronics recycling industry. E-Scrap attendees and their companies are the folks who strip your old laptop of its reusable parts and raw…
DG Digest: PHMSA rejects Oregon hazardous waste petition
Fall began with a roar across the country as heavy weather rolled in—a good reminder to have your workplace ready to cope. In regulatory news, the FMCSA takes the lead this week with a large technical update to its core regulations. Here’s all the latest: FMCSA The agency published an amendment making technical corrections throughout…
How “extreme” labels and placards are becoming real-world solutions
Because Mother Nature has no respect for your Dangerous Goods compliance record, we introduced hazmat labels, placards and marks for extreme conditions a few months ago…
DG Digest: PHMSA releases special permits and OHMS will hold a round table on safety and innovation
As we begin the fall season, now’s the time to review your workplace’s plan to cope with its weather. Be sure to keep drains and gutters clear of leaves so leaks and puddles don’t add to safety risks. It’s getting dark sooner—make sure your employee team focuses on safe driving and being aware pedestrians. The…
A 6-step recipe for successful lithium battery reverse logistics
Among the many complications of our new e-commerce world, reverse logistics may be the most headache-inducing. In a recent Reverse Logistics article, I wrote that, “products bought at brick-and-mortar stores are returned around 9% of the time, while the return rate for online purchases is nearly three time higher.” Most of those millions of returns…
Dangerous Goods Report | Vol. 11
Summary: Volume 11 of the Dangerous Goods Report focuses on how today’s “I want it now” e-commerce consumer has forced every supply chain organization to rethink and re-engineer how they do business. How do Dangerous Goods professionals ensure compliance in the new decentralized, omnichannel e-commerce environment? Hazmat transport in today’s “get it tomorrow” world. How top…
Postal rates may increase if U.S. departs Universal Postal Union
Although it does not have the current traction in the news that many other topics do, a technical arrangement that governs the US Postal Service’s relations to other international postal bodies may leave US-based shippers facing higher fees. A meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on September 25-26th is more or less the last chance for the…
DG Digest: IATA releases changes to the 61st edition of the DGR
Mid-September finds the regulatory world getting ready for a busy fall season, with annual revisions to the various modal regulations expected, the HM-215O 49 CFR harmonization still pending finalization, and a host of other potential actions that may or may not occur before the end of the year. Be sure and “stay tuned” to this…
DG Symposium Day 3: learning from Lithium Battery Friday
You know you’re in a conference full of Dangerous Goods pros when a panelist says, “Hey, how about that electric violin at Labelmaster Fest last night? What do you suppose the watt-hour rating on those rechargeable batteries is?” Yes, it was Lithium Battery Friday at the Dangerous Goods Symposium—a annual tradition where a panel of…
DG Symposium Day 2: A spotlight on advanced hazmat technology
Technology was one of the dominant themes of the 4th annual Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook, the results of which were revealed during Day 1 of the 2019 Dangerous Goods Symposium. Among the survey’s findings: 55% of companies rely on manual processes, at least in part, for shipping hazmat. 45% called their ability to centrally store…
DG Symposium Day 1: Three distinct levels of hazmat compliance
Lots of people in the Dangerous Goods supply chain view hazmat compliance is a black-and-white issue. You’re either compliant, or you’re not. But during Day 1 of the 2019 Dangerous Goods Symposium, nearly 300 hazmat pros from all over the globe were shown new research demonstrating that a basic level of compliance is only the…
DG Digest: PHMSA releases pair of useful guides, FMCSA may reduce State fees collected from motor carriers
Although the calendar says that summer doesn’t end until September 22nd, for all practical purposes summer ended yesterday with the Labor Day holiday. Hopefully everyone had a safe and happy long weekend! The last week of the traditional summer season was unusually busy from a regulatory standpoint, with a number of actions rolling in to…
The simple guide to 2019/2020 Dangerous Goods regulatory books
Don’t look now, but it’s almost fall, and it will be 2020 before you know it. That means new Dangerous Goods regulations will soon be coming into force—and you’ll need new regulatory publications to keep track of them. Of course, sometimes it’s hard just keeping track of the latest Dangerous Goods regulatory publications themselves. That’s…
DG Digest: FMCSA reviewing HOS rules, FAA seeks further data on drones, and the EPA wants to designate certain ‘high-priority’ chemicals
The penultimate week of the summer season was not quite as busy as last week’s heavy action; however, the federal government did have some actions of note, particularly to motor carriers, drone aircraft operators, and chemical manufacturers. See the week’s events below: FMCSA The agency proposed amendments to its hours-of-service (HOS) requirements to provide greater…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of August 26, 2019
Week of August 26, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance When selecting logistics solutions, companies must consider how they will impact every part of the supply chain. This is especially true for dangerous goods shippers. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout…
How much do new civil penalties for hazmat violations actually cost you?
As Labelmaster Staff Regulatory Specialist Nikki Burgess reported a couple of weeks back, many federal agencies recently raised their civil penalties about 2.5% for Dangerous Goods regulatory citations. In other words, any compliance errors you make will now cost you a little more. Update! On October 29, 2019, penalties at many agencies were increased an…
DG Digest: A major new NPRM (HM-219C) from PHMSA, plus updates from FMCSA, OSHA and more.
It’s still a few weeks until Labor Day and the unofficial end of the season. However in strong contrast to the recent summer regulatory doldrums, as we head towards summer’s end the Federal Register was busy indeed this week with multiple large published actions by a number of relevant agencies. Grab your coffee and find…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of August 19, 2019
Week of August 19, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology continues to impact supply chain planning and execution. But achieving meaningful organizational change requires companies to share data and align processes with stakeholders, customers and suppliers. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous…
13 questions (and answers) about the 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook
Believe it or not, 2020 is only a few months away, and that means it’s almost time for the Dangerous Goods version of the summer Olympics—the quadrennial release of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). Since we’re already seeing heavy pre-orders for the new 2020 ERG, we wanted to take a few minutes to answer a…
DG Digest: PHMSA revisits requalification period for certain DOT 4-series cylinders, issues special permits
Summer doldrums this week as regulatory activity eases along. August is traditionally a slow month in our nation’s capital. PHMSA however stayed active and is the only player in this week’s digest. Here’s all the latest: PHMSA PHMSA is proposing to revise requirements on the requalification period for certain DOT 4-series specification cylinders in non-corrosive…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of August 12, 2019
Week of August 12, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology is transforming the way goods are moved around the world. As a result, companies are constantly introducing new innovations into their supply chains in order to stay competitive and meet growing customer demands. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends…
DG Symposium preview: Why is lithium battery recycling suddenly sexy?
Todd Coy, Vice President at KBI, will speak about “Lithium Battery Recycling and End of Life Transport” at the 14th annual Dangerous Goods Symposium, September 4–6, 2019, in Chicago. The third day of every Dangerous Goods Symposium is devoted to lithium battery issues, with an expert panel sharing the latest regulatory developments and fielding pointed…
DG Digest: Regulatory Agencies Announce Adjustments to Civil Penalties
Summer continues into its traditionally warmest month; be sure your employees remain able to cope with the heat that can afflict our workplaces. It’s also a heavy vacation month and the reduced staffing that can result can pressurize employees that are covering vacationing colleagues; be on the lookout for people who may be trying a little…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of August 5, 2019
Week of August 5, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation has led to the emergence of new delivery methods – from autonomous vehicles to aircraft systems. And these emerging technologies promise to impact the supply chain of the future, including the transport of dangerous goods. To help companies keep a pulse…
DG Symposium preview: The hazmat possibilities of unmanned aircraft systems
Mark Wuennenberg, VP of Regulatory Affairs at Drone Delivery Canada, will speak about “Innovation Taking Flight—Drones in Cargo Logistics” at the 14th annual Dangerous Goods Symposium, September 4–6, 2019, in Chicago. Will unmanned aircraft systems (commonly referred to as drones) ever have a role to play in Dangerous Goods transport? If Mark Wuennenberg has anything…
DG Digest: WA State v. Federal Government — jurisdiction at stake in dispute over crude oil volatility limits
As is often the case in the mid-summer, the regulatory news is a little sparse this week; however, PHMSA offers an interesting request for comments regarding federal primacy in interstate transport, and OSHA had reasons to publish also. See all the latest below: PHMSA Interested parties are invited to comment on an application by the…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of July 29, 2019
Week of July 29, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The push towards digital transformation can be seen in almost every industry, especially in the supply chain. But the pursuit of the supply chain of tomorrow means all critical functions – including hazmat compliance – need to be digital and connected. To help…
Infographic: Who needs Dangerous Goods training? And what kind?
Who needs Dangerous Goods training? That’s easy. Training is mandated by law for anyone involved in the transport of Dangerous Goods. There are very few exceptions to the rule. But who needs what kind of training? That’s a more complicated question. Employers are responsible for making sure every employee is trained for every DG function…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of July 22, 2019
Week of July 22, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Effectively shipping products is challenging enough in today’s dynamic supply chain environment, but the complexity and risk is significantly increased when shipping dangerous goods – especially when managing returns and product recalls. This makes having in place the right technology, packaging and processes…
DG Digest: EPA to limit some feedback under Toxic Substances Control Act
It’s hot, right? Mid-summer is here with tremendous heat and we all have to protect our employees. Remember the basics: provide plenty of water, make sure employees take more frequent breaks in a cool area, caution them against overexertion in the heat, and keep an extra eye open for people struggling in the weather. Let’s all do our…
How to get strategic about hazmat packaging efficiency
If you’re an e-commerce customer—and who isn’t these days?—you’ve probably had the experience of receiving a small item in a large package and wondering, Was this really the most efficient way to ship this thing? As a supply chain professional, however, you know the answer probably isn’t that simple. Packaging efficiency in today’s decentralized omnichannel…
DG Digest: Should training providers be able to administer CDL skills testing?
The summer doldrums continue in the regulatory sector, with minimal activity underway. The FMCSA is the big player this week, with a significant proposal to modify CDL driver testing standards. Here’s all the latest: FMCSA The agency proposes to allow States to permit a third party skills test examiner to administer the Commercial Driver’s License…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of July 15, 2019
Week of July 15, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance In today’s omnichannel shipping world, companies are faced with the challenge of meeting customer demands fast, free shipping while keeping costs down. This is especially challenging for those shipping dangerous goods. That’s why more shippers are looking to technologies to further enable this…
Omnichannel, decentralized and hazmat-compliant: A brave new world
How much more complex and challenging can shipping get? You’re doing everything you can to satisfy customers’ demands for fast, free delivery. You aim to be omnichannel, decentralized, parcel-optimized and cost-conscious. You keep inventories as tight and fluid as possible without ever having to say, “Sorry, we’re out.” Oh, and every shipment is fully compliant…
DG Digest: FAA may ease fire protection rules for transport aircraft
Last week included a holiday period and as such regulatory activity was at rather low ebb. However, the FMCSA stayed fairly busy with several issuances, and the FAA announced an interesting new NPRM related to fire protection standards for transport aircraft. See the week’s action below: FMCSA The agency amended its Hazardous Materials Safety Permit…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of July 8, 2019
Week of July 8, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology is changing the way we do business. And soon, the old way of doing things will be replaced– whether it’s how we prepare documents, train employees or interact with customers and devices. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting…
Explosives aren’t the only e-commerce hazmat you might ship for July 4th
July 4th is the day we celebrate being American, and what’s more American than getting what you want, when you want it? E-commerce delivers on that dream for millions of Americans every day, and that can be a beautiful thing. It can also be a dangerous thing, because many e-commerce shippers still don’t realize when…
DG Digest: DoD updates its Dangerous Goods regulations, and a hazardous chemicals ICR from OSHA
The nation moves into the 4th of July holiday period as summer takes hold; it’s time to be extra careful as people hit the road for that summer vacation they’ve been planning, and most especially this week, to be extra careful around fireworks. The 4th of July always produces a stream of injuries from the…
DG Symposium preview: IATA’s Nicolas Carlone on automation and virtual reality
Nicolas Carlone, Assistant Director of DGR and Cargo Publications at IATA, will speak on Dangerous Goods acceptance automation—and give a live demo of IATA’s new virtual reality training tool—at the 14th annual Dangerous Goods Symposium, September 4–6, 2019, in Chicago. During last year’s Dangerous Goods Symposium, we wrote, “Sometime in the not-too-distant future, someone will…
DG Digest: USPS testing use of smaller Limited and Excepted Quantity labels
The end of June finds the nation’s schoolchildren mostly finishing their tenures for the year; that means a lot more potential danger on the roads for drivers and equipment operators. If your company operates on the roads, make sure your employees are aware of the increased risk. Here’s the period’s regulatory news: FMCSA The agency published…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of June 24, 2019
Week of June 24, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Purchasing solutions primarily (or solely) based on price puts your organization at risk, especially dangerous good companies. After all, not all solutions – from software to batteries and packaging – are created equality. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting…
5 questions you should ask about lithium battery packaging testing
When it comes to shipping lithium batteries compliantly, labels and marks grab all the headlines, but the real story is in packaging. After all, while labels and marks are critical for proper identification of a package’s contents, the package itself is what keeps those contents from causing damage. In the case of lithium batteries and…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of June 17, 2019
Week of June 17, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Companies today are investing heavily in technology. But how those investment decisions are made can vary based on cost, ROI and more. Organizations shipping dangerous goods need to make compliance and risk mitigation key considerations. To help companies keep a pulse on technology…
Why your in-house legal department should understand hazmat shipping
Used to be, when Dangerous Goods pros heard from a lawyer, it could only mean one thing: bad news. Something went seriously wrong with a hazmat shipment. That mindset is changing. Will Troutman and Jim Shimko are trying to change it even faster. Troutman is a Partner with the Los Angeles office of the law…
DG Digest: TSA issues ICR to stakeholders engaged in surface transportation
The week found the United States and her allies marking the 75th Anniversary of the World War 2 invasion of Normandy in France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi rule. The Labelmaster family joins with our fellow citizens in expressing gratitude for the bravery and sadness at the sacrifice of those who took…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of June 10, 2019
Week of June 10, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The growth of e-commerce has led to more dangerous goods being shipped – both by large enterprises and individuals – making compliance more challenging and important than ever. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of…
5 situations where you might need “extreme” hazmat labels and placards
Say you ship drums of UN 1263 paint every single day. You know the applicable regulations for shipping 1263 like you know your kids’ middle names. You could wallpaper your entire facility with the shipper’s declarations for 1263 you’ve printed over the years. Your phone passcode is 1263. You’re as likely to ship UN 1263…
DG Digest: FRA withdraws 2016 NPRM on train crew staffing
It’s the first week of June, and stormy weather has been an issue for much of the country. Be sure your workplace pays proper attention to safety response and evacuation plans for such events; storm water runoff may also be an issue for certain businesses. Don’t be caught unprepared! It was a quiet week on…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of June 3, 2019
Week of June 3, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Advancements in technology are enabling a more digital supply chain – helping dangerous goods companies improve performance, enhance customer service, lower operating costs and mitigate risk. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods…
CEOs! Want supply chain to be a competitive weapon? Start with hazmat.
For years now, we’ve been helping supply chain professionals see hazmat compliance as a competitive advantage, not a cost center. Show your bosses real visibility into the true costs and value of improved compliance, we’ve said, and you’ll secure the resources to drive new revenue and boost profitability. Turns out we’re not the only ones…
DG Digest: ADR to go Global, Could Drop “European Union (EU)” from Title
Monday the 27th marked our nation’s Memorial Day honoring fallen military veterans. The Labelmaster family joins our fellow Americans in expressing gratitude for their sacrifice. It was a middling busy week on the regulatory front; here’s the latest: OSHA The agency announced that on Thursday, June 20, 2019, OSHA will conduct a public meeting to…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 27, 2019
Week of May 27, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Selecting the right supply chain technology for your organization is critical and can have a significant impact on your operational and financial performance – both today and in the future. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the…
Last chance to take the 2019 Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook survey!
Labelmaster, Hazardous Cargo Bulletin (HCB) and IATA invite you to participate in the world’s most comprehensive survey of hazmat professionals. The last day for responses is Friday, May 31. Usually, when you see a “last chance” email or blog headline, it’s to entice you into some sort of offer you’ll regret missing. Maybe it’s a…
DG Digest: PHMSA seeks nominees for first ever lithium battery committee
We begin the final month of the spring with a fairly busy week. Before too long the summer vacation and holiday season will begin; it’s easy for some employees to become a little preoccupied. Let’s make sure we all keep focused on the safety of our workplace! It’s been a busy week in the regulatory…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 20, 2019
Week of May 20, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The supply chain can have a significant impact on an organization’s operational and financial performance. That’s why forward-thinking companies continue to invest in their infrastructure in order to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and mitigate risk. To help companies keep a pulse on technology…
A top 3PL offers e-commerce tips on shipping lithium batteries by USPS
Many Labelmaster customers are more than just customers—they’re our true partners in making the Dangerous Goods supply chain safer and more efficient. One recent example is our new page on shipping lithium batteries via the U.S. Postal Service, which we developed following a suggestion from our longtime friends at third-party logistics provider GEODIS, Erin Gaul…
DG Digest: PHMSA to hold public meeting on 2020 ERG
Sunday was Mothers’ Day; here’s hoping all the Moms out there got the “royal treatment.” Thank you for all you do! The week was a little busy in the regulatory sense; here’s all the latest: FAA The agency published a proposed new ICR that will affect the manufacturers of small unmanned aircraft (drones) and that…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 13, 2019
Week of May 13, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Enterprise systems continue to evolve to further drive automation and optimization for businesses. But maximizing the value of these systems requires dangerous goods companies to take a strategic approach to how they are used within the organization. To help companies keep a pulse…
Shipping lithium batteries by mail: 3 things you must know
If you’re in the hazmat business, you’re no stranger to Publication 52 from the United States Postal Service. Affectionately referred to as “Pub 52,” this public document (a.k.a. “Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail“) outlines the do’s and don’ts for the safe transport of Dangerous Goods via the U.S. mail. One of the thorniest topics in…
DG Digest: OSHA announces 2019 funding for underserved workplace programs
Spring is well underway now; many businesses will be attending to outdoor maintenance and grounds upkeep that may have been off the schedule in the winter months. It’s easy to get hurt on roofs or with power tools; be sure your team remembers and abides by the rules for engaging in those tasks to everyone…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of May 06, 2019
Week of May 06, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance As the supply chain becomes faster and more complex, companies, especially those shipping dangerous goods, must rely on technology to keep pace. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout the supply chain,…
Can one compliance gap ruin your bottom line? Ask the Night King.
We all know Game of Thrones, the hit series currently in its final season on HBO, is really about hazmat transport. Fittingly, Sunday night’s episode 3 supplied a metaphor that every supply chain organization should take to heart. Spoiler alert: If you aren’t current on Game of Thrones, skip the next two paragraphs! The episode…
DG Digest: EPA proposes to amend TSCA reporting for small manufacturers
The last two weeks of April featured improving weather across the United States, and then a late season snow storm hit east of the Mississippi! Make sure your workplace’s cold weather and snow removal plans are still effective and protect those employees. Regulatory action was varied across the time period, with EPA action in reference…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 29, 2019
Week of April 29, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Advancements in technology leads to more complex supply chains, especially for companies shipping dangerous goods. It’s important for organizations to understand the impact new technologies have on their operations, and then leverage other technology solutions to effectively manage the process. To help companies…
How is hazmat shipping like your favorite sport (and how do you win)?
It’s a great time of year to be a sports fan. The NBA and NHL playoffs (WOW! What a first round…) are at full throttle, Major League Baseball is back and the NFL draft is right around the corner. The athletes who play those sports are the best in the world at what they do.…
Client ID Database has DG Stakeholders North of the Border Facing a New Registration Requirement
Formal consultation (the equivalent in Canada to the familiar US “Comment period” for proposed rulemakings) has ended in Canada on a new proposal which, according to Transport Canada, will require stakeholders who will: import, offer for transport, handle or transports dangerous goods in Canada To register with Transport Canada under the identification database requirement. The…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 22, 2019
Week of April 22, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Supply chain compliance is challenging, especially as increasingly strict rules and requirements are being played on organizations by their customers, including the adoption of technology. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout…
Add your voice to the 4th annual Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook
Labelmaster, Hazardous Cargo Bulletin (HCB) and IATA invite you to participate in the world’s most comprehensive survey of hazmat professionals. The revealed results of the annual Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook have become a tradition at the Dangerous Goods Symposium. A few insights usually take the crowd by surprise, and you hear reactions like: I’ve always…
DG Digest: PHMSA issues Emergency Waiver No. 13 for areas affected by severe flooding
Mid-April snow snarled much of the nation over the weekend, but it’s also now the culmination of tax season. Transport regulations may not be topping everyone’s list of things to think about this week; however, plenty of action took place all the same. Here’s the latest: PHMSA The agency published Emergency Waiver No. 13. This waiver…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 15, 2019
Week of April 15, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Moving goods across the supply chain can be complex, especially when transporting dangerous goods. Technology is key to helping companies more effectively manage their shipping processes. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods…
The hazmat pro’s guide to Game of Thrones, Season 8
At last, the moment for which hazmat pros have waited untold winters! The final season of Game of Thrones starts Sunday. Everyone in the Dangerous Goods galaxy knows Game of Thrones is really about hazmat transport. For all its swordplay, palace intrigue and dragons, the show addresses the same issues hazmat pros deal with every…
DG Digest: EPA eliminating requirement for mercury-based sensing devices for ignitability tests
The first week of April has ended—is your site experiencing “April showers that bring May flowers?” If so, make sure that your storm drains and other runoff devices aren’t clogged and that any regulated discharge doesn’t get into those storm drains. That tends to be a serious non-compliance issue for local municipal authorities who have…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 8, 2019
Week of April 8, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Today’s businesses want to make decisions based on facts, not guesses. That’s why more and more companies (including those shipping dangerous goods) are leveraging technology to access and analyze key operational data and apply predictive analytics. To help companies keep a pulse on…
Obexion’s “Excellence in Transit Packaging” award: our acceptance speech
Creating resources for safe and compliant Dangerous Goods transport isn’t generally considered a creative business. Unlike practitioners of film, music, television and literature, we don’t dream about winning awards. And yet, we have. Last week, at Industrial Pack 2019, our Obexion lithium battery packaging won the Industrial Packaging Award for Excellence in Transit Packaging. There…
DG Digest: U.S. DOT Seeks Stakeholder Input On Service Improvements
It’s April 1st, no fooling! The last week of March found regulatory activity fairly slow, with the biggest news being PHMSA’s announcement of its meeting schedule for pre-conferences to discuss upcoming international modal regulation meetings. See all the latest below: PHMSA The agency announced four meetings that will prepare the US delegations to the major…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of April 1, 2019
Week of April 1, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology continues to transform every industry sector. To successfully navigate the changing landscape, companies – especially those shipping dangerous goods – must understand how these shifts impact their supply chain operations. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and…
New survey will get pilots’ thoughts on Dangerous Goods training
We’ve written plenty about the importance of training for people who prepare Dangerous Goods shipments for air transport. But what about the people who actually fly the planes? James Wyatt, Senior Vice President Aviation Solutions at Avialytics GmbH, believes the training needs of pilots and flight crews aren’t adequately addressed by currently available resources. And…
DG Digest: EPA opens comment period on chemicals prioritization
As spring formally kicked off, it was a quiet week for regulatory activity. One item of note; after a lengthy genesis, the EPA is moving on the “designation “ phase for high and low priority substances under the revised Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA. See below for details, as well as the rest of…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 25, 2019
Week of March 25, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance The adoption of new and innovative technologies are helping enable a digital supply chain and improve operations for global companies, especially those shipping dangerous goods. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout…
19 reasons to sign up for the 2019 Dangerous Goods Symposium now
It’s barely spring. Too soon to think about September? Not when we’re talking about the 2019 Dangerous Goods Symposium—slated for September 4–6 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The Symposium is the world’s premier event for hazmat professionals from all over the world—and anyone else who works hard every day to keep our supply chain safe.…
DG Digest: USPS to require triple packaging for most liquids
The St. Patrick’s Day holiday found regulatory activity at moderate pace. Perhaps the biggest news? The US Post Office released its long awaited updated to the rules for shipping liquids in the mail. See that, and all the latest news, right here: PHMSA The agency published three sets of special permit actions. As is typically…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 18, 2019
Week of March 18, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance New technologies have a ripple effect across the supply chain, especially when these technologies are classified as “dangerous.” To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement of dangerous goods throughout the supply chain, Labelmaster has launched “Supply…
Industrial Pack 2019: More networking, more experts, more hazmat
Ever see kids have more fun with the box than the toy that came inside it? That’s us. To most people, a shipping package is just a container, something to open so they can use whatever’s inside. But to Dangerous Goods pros, a package is a critical compliance tool. We respect the science, engineering and…
DG Digest: PHMSA harmonizes with ICAO on lithium battery transport
The second full week in March finds PHMSA having published its lithium battery by air revisions, and, just to make things interesting, the agency threw in a twist. See the details below. Meanwhile, Spring Break season is here. Make sure your employees don’t get distracted from their need to be safe—a looming vacation can often…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 11, 2019
Week of March 11, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation has crept into every part of our personal and professional lives. For companies shipping and handling dangerous goods (DG), these new technologies have a significant impact on the supply chains – including how they must approach compliance. To help companies keep…
DOT PHMSA Lithium Battery Interim Final Rule (IFR) Effective Immediately
The long-awaited DOT PHMSA Interim Final Rule (IFR) enhancing the safety provisions for lithium batteries transported by aircraft appeared in the Federal Register this week on March 6th. This IFR generally harmonizes the 49 CFR with the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (regulations effective in the ICAO TI…
Hazmat pros—with HM-215O coming, how do you spell “harmonization?”
Last week we shared transatlantic viewpoints on confidence in Dangerous Goods compliance. This week, our experts talk about harmonization between Europe and North America. The supply chain is more global than it’s ever been. Yet Dangerous Goods regulations still vary from country to country. The differences in hazmat regulations between Europe and North America are—thankfully—nowhere…
DG Digest: PHMSA releases draft rule: lithium battery harmonization may be upon us
PHMSA The agency, in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration and pursuant to the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) of 2015, issued a final rule to revise and clarify requirements for comprehensive oil spill response plans (COSRPs) and to expand their applicability based on petroleum oil thresholds that apply to an entire train…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of March 4, 2019
Week of March 4, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology is helping create a digital supply chain that enables more intelligent and forward-thinking operations. For companies shipping and handling dangerous goods (DG), this modern approach must include compliance. To help companies keep a pulse on technology trends impacting business and the movement…
Why are American hazmat pros less confident? Two experts weigh in.
Remember, back when you were in school, the feeling of walking out of a final exam knowing you absolutely nailed it? That’s how we want Dangerous Goods pros to feel about their operations every day—like they got every last detail right, and that all their outcomes will be positive. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality. Year…
DG Digest: PHMSA seeks renewal of ICRs for transport of radioactive materials in commerce
The last weekend of February finds the nation still coping with heavy winter weather. Perhaps March will see things get better, but don’t let up on your efforts to keep employees safe from snow and ice, and keep hoping for an early spring! Meanwhile, regulatory activity was somewhat lighter this week. Here’s the latest: PHMSA…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 25, 2019
Week of February 25, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology is a necessity in today’s complex, fast-paced supply chain. This is especially true for companies shipping and handling dangerous goods (DG) – as they look for ways to effectively and efficiently comply with ever-changing regulations while meeting increasing customer demands. To help…
DG Digest: OSHA issues guidance aiming to protect workers from lithium batteries worn as personal equipment
Mid-February finds a variety of action taking place on the regulatory front as everyone waits for winter to run its course. With the shutdown now receding, agencies have ramped back up to normal operations, and are busy with their schedules. Here’s all the latest: FAA The agency published the renewal of an ICR affecting Part…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 18, 2019
Week of February 18, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation continues to change how we do business. For companies that handle dangerous goods, technology adoption and integration is critical in order to effectively and efficiently comply with complex regulations and maintain a smooth, safe and secure supply chain. To help companies…
The Labelmaster guide to Valentine’s Day hazmat shipping
Today is the day when people all over the world celebrate love. This celebration is often manifested by the sending of cherished missives and objects from lover to lover. While the standard Valentine’s card or box of chocolates requires no special measures, it’s important to realize that many romantic notions have Dangerous Goods implications. We…
Supply Chain Moves: Week of February 11, 2019
Week of February 11, 2019 Linking technology news with Dangerous Goods compliance Technology innovation is a key driver in taking the supply chain forward and changing how you do business. Best-in-class companies that handle Dangerous Goods (DG) understand that technology adoption and integration is critical to effectively and efficiently complying with complex, constantly changing regulations…
DG Digest: FRA publishes emergency relief docket and DOT reviewing need for some external guidance documents
The last two weeks found federal agencies slowly returning to their normal schedules following the recent shutdown. The result? A much busier DG Digest! Meanwhile, much of the country is experiencing the grip of the depth of winter. Is your workplace safe for employees? Remember to keep your walkways clear and dry, watch inside flooring…
Total value of compliance, Part 3: Creating new revenue from DG compliance
Managing a Dangerous Goods shipping operation is a lot like running a farm. It may seem like all you do is spend money, while the potential profits are hard to imagine—and a long way off. But if a farmer makes every decision with that long term in mind, the operation is much more likely to…
Total value of compliance, Part 2: What do compliance gaps actually cost you?
Every hazmat pro knows a Dangerous Goods shipment that doesn’t comply with current regulations could end up costing their company money. In fact, 28% of hazmat pros surveyed in our 2018 Global Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook said their companies comply with regulations only because the regulations mandate it. In other words, all they want to…
DG Digest: OSHA rescinds rule for some employers to efile injury and illness rates
After a hiatus tied to the government shutdown, the DG Digest returns along with the reopening Monday morning of the federal agencies we cover. What will the now-ended shutdown’s impact be? It’s difficult to say for certain. The biggest item on PHMSA’s agenda is the HM-215O international harmonization NPRM; comments on that are scheduled to…
Total value of compliance, Part 1: Assessing your hazmat processes and procurement
Trick question: Do you spend too much on Dangerous Goods compliance? Most hazmat professionals would probably answer “yes.” Whenever we have to spend money on something that doesn’t show an immediate benefit, it always feels like we’re spending too much. And there’s no getting around it—Dangerous Goods compliance requires a financial outlay. But the real…
DOT Departments Limit Services During Continued Government Shutdown
Have you been curious how the partial Government shutdown has affected the Department of Transportation (DOT) offices? DOT recently issued a plan document outlining how each office is operating during the current funding freeze. It includes a summary of personnel affected (working vs. furloughed), as well as summaries of continuing operations and suspended activities. Hazardous…
How a free Total Value of Compliance Assessment can make your hazmat operation more profitable
Late last year, we introduced a new concept to the Dangerous Goods galaxy: total value of compliance. It’s a new way of thinking about supply chain operations that views hazmat compliance as not just a cost of doing business, but also as a value-added component that contributes to profitability. Maybe you read that post, and…
Hazmat hopes 2019: Top Dangerous Goods professionals share their wishes
Work in Dangerous Goods long enough, and you may find yourself wishing things were different. Couldn’t that new IATA regulation be worded more clearly? Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to explain Limited Quantities to your customer—for the third time? And how exactly does a 2mm-thick label border make a hazmat shipment safer?…
DG Digest: 2019 ADR eFile and Corrigenda & UPS DG Tables and Variations Now Available
Happy New Year! The first blog post of the year for the DG Digest finds the ongoing government shutdown still in effect. As such, US regulatory activity is minimal. As of press time, there was no new information on the impact the shutdown may have on federal regulatory schedules or other activity moving forward. The…
11 must-have items for hazmat shipping when your eyelashes freeze
Happy New Year! For those of us in northern climes, we’re well past the isn’t-winter-wonderful? phase and well into the enough-already-with-the-freezing-rain phase. Yet Dangerous Goods shipments don’t care if your eyelashes freeze together or your fingertips go numb. Your customers and supply chain partners still expect your shipments to be safe, compliant and on time,…
DG Digest: Regulatory news from PHMSA, FMCSA, EPA and more as 2018 ends with partial government shutdown.
The end of the year finds portions of the federal government shut down, including the Department of Transportation. At press time, there was no specific information or guidance on either the DOT or PHMSA websites as to the exact impact that this shutdown will have on regulatory schedules or other departmental activity. This column will…
From hazmat hopes to new paradigms: Our top 12 posts of 2018
If you only have time to read one blog about the Dangerous Goods supply chain, we’re glad you make it ours. And if you don’t even get the time to read our blog every week, here are our top 12 posts from the last year, in chronological order: Hazmat hopes: A 2018 wish list from…
2018: The year in Dangerous Goods regulations
2018 was a relatively quiet year in the Dangerous Goods galaxy, with few major new regulatory changes and no unexpected surprises from domestic or international regulatory bodies. Still, as Labelmaster’s Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Responsibility, I hear all the questions from our customers and partners about how best to comply with regulations. This…
Total value of compliance, as explained by Chicago Bears fans
Lots of us at Labelmaster are excited about our hometown Chicago Bears, who are poised to make the National Football League playoffs for the first time in eight years. As one of the league’s biggest turnaround stories, the Bears have made sharp improvements in several statistical categories. One improvement that gets very little attention? Penalty…
How CEVA’s Rusty McMains makes the C-Suite pay attention to hazmat
In today’s supply chain, the way people think about Dangerous Goods transport is evolving. It used to be common for organizations to view hazmat compliance as a necessary evil—just a cost of doing business. They cared about safety, and they cared about avoiding delays and civil penalties, but that was the extent of their concern.…
How Your Systems Can Simplify Hazmat and Multi-Carrier Shipping Compliance to Fuel Growth
Businesses today are in a constant struggle to grow revenues, control costs, and (for shippers of dangerous goods) reduce business risks. Thanks to advancing technology, managing your hazmat shipping processes is easier than ever, but it takes proactive planning and thought to apply the right technology to the right points in your enterprise, especially in…
DG Digest: IATA updates lithium battery handling guidance and the FAA posts 2019 drug and alcohol testing rates
Our entry into December and the full-on holiday season finds regulatory activity back to a slightly lower level after last week’s big HM-215O release. Don’t let the holiday rush impact your workplace’s safety plan; many people have busy schedules and lots to do away from the job for the next month or so. Be sure…
Why “total value of compliance” is a new paradigm for hazmat shippers
Why do you pursue Dangerous Goods compliance? Take a moment before you answer, because the real reason may not be as obvious as you think. We’ve been asking hazmat professionals that question for years, and the answers have evolved. Today, nearly a quarter of companies in the DG supply chain pursue compliance because it’s a…
DG Digest: PHMSA issues emergency HMR relief for areas hit by Hurricane Michael, and IATA issues new guidance for personal mobility devices on passenger aircraft
The last week of October finds the nation grappling with the midterm election cycle and, again, the shadow of public violence. Certainly we here at Labelmaster offer our deepest condolences to those affected by what has happened in Pittsburgh and elsewhere. The last two weeks featured a busy surge in regulatory activity as many of…
