The Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued a revised list of regulations that are being changed in its portfolio. The “Surf Board” helps govern US railroad operations hand in hand with the better known FRA. An Amtrak Cascade Service train led by the Seattle Seahawks Commemorative unit flies over the Nisqually River near Lacey, Washington on April 22nd, 2018. Photo © 4/2018 by Nikki Burgess; all rights reserved.

Spring is finally springing over the nation; the last few days have brought warmer weather and a slackening of the late snowfall that has plagued so many places around the country.  Let’s hope it sticks; the spring, not the snow!  It was a relatively quiet week in the regulatory world; here the latest happenings:

PHMSA

The agency issued three sets of publications related to Special Permits. As is typical, most of them deal with cylinders, batteries, and aerosols, the “Big 3” of the SP world.  See the new action here

• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/04/23/2018-08373/hazardous-materials-notice-of-applications-for-special-permits
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/04/23/2018-08375/hazardous-materials-notice-of-applications-for-special-permits
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/04/23/2018-08374/hazardous-materials-notice-of-applications-for-special-permits

OSHA

• The agency issued a revised ICR related to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard; this rule is designed to help protect workers against accidental exposure to harmful organisms through contact with human blood and other products in the workplace.  See the revision here
• A second ICR related to reporting injuries to employees caused during the operation of mechanical power presses.  Such injuries form a large percentage of amputation incidents in workplaces, often through poor energy-control procedures.  See the ICR here
• A final ICR issuance covers blasting and the use of explosives.  While not a typical workplace activity, as its name suggests, it is an area of large concern to OSHA.  See the ICR right here

STB

The Surface Transportation Board, which governs the administrative aspects of American railroads, issued a list of revised regulations affecting those companies.  The “Surf Board” and the FRA work hand in hand to govern this important sector of American transport and commerce.  See the revision list here

EU ADR

If your company ships to the UK, you may be interested in the ADR derogation that that government just became party to.  Multilateral Agreement M312 of the ADR governs changes in treatment to “Articles containing Dangerous Goods” which may allow for easier handling.  See the new derogation here

IATA Lithium Battery Guidance for Passengers

About a month after issuing the initial version, IATA has revised its guidance document for the carriage of Lithium Batteries aboard passenger aircraft by passengers.  See the revised document here

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