After a few weeks of delays, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) submitted its revised hazard communication standard, which implements the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), to the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for final review on Oct. 25. The OIRA…
Newest Edition of Emergency Response Guidebook Coming in 2012
2012 marks the release of the latest Emergency Response Guidebook, a critical resource for emergency services personnel and hazardous materials shippers. The Emergency Response Guidebook, commonly referred to as the “ERG,” was developed jointly by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico for use by firefighters,…
OSHA GHS Implementation Remains in Regulatory Limbo
September has come and gone without the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) unveiling its revised Hazard Communication Standard. As mentioned in our previous post, OSHA is in the final stages of a rule-making process that will modify the current hazard communication standard to incorporate elements of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling…
Recent Changes to US Hazard Communication Requirements for Labels, Placards and IBCs
On July 20, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published final rule HM-218F, which adopted various amendments to the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations in order to update and clarify certain regulatory requirements. By implementing these amendments, PHMSA hopes to: promote safer transportation practices; eliminate unnecessary regulatory requirements; finalize outstanding petitions for rulemaking; facilitate…
The Dangerous Goods Instructors’ Symposium: A Premier Gathering for the Hazmat Industry
Only a few weeks remain until Labelmaster’s 6th Annual Dangerous Goods Instructors’ Symposium (DGIS VI), a key industry event for hazmat/DG professionals. Through three days of valuable learning, work-shopping and networking, DGIS VI aims to hone instructors’ skills and methods while providing detailed analyses of important hazmat regulatory changes and updates. A host of beneficial…
New A.I.R. Shipper Incorporates Recent Major Revisions to Air Transport Regulations for Dangerous Goods
I just finished sending the 2012 edition of A.I.R. Shipper™ to the printer! Can’t believe this is our 8th edition of the “Apple” of dangerous goods regulations manuals! Have you gotten used to the new packing instructions yet? Sure hope so! The old ones became obsolete back in March! Practically a new dangerous goods list…
An Overview of the New U.S. Requirements for Shipping Limited Quantities of Dangerous Goods
On January 19, 2011, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published final rule HM-215K, which harmonized the requirements of the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) with international transport regulations. Among the most significant changes in the rule involved the introduction of the internationally harmonized requirements for shipping limited quantities of dangerous goods (hazardous…
OSHA’s Implementation of the GHS Expected Soon
As soon as late August or early September, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expects to publish a long-awaited final rule that modifies the current hazard communication standard to incorporate elements of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, also known as the GHS. The GHS was developed in 1992 to standardize…
New FedEx Ground Hazardous Materials Shipping Requirement Takes Effect Next Month
Beginning Aug. 1, 2011, FedEx Ground is implementing a new hazardous materials shipping rule that requires hazardous materials documentation be completed and submitted electronically. The new requirement is intended to reduce data entry errors and provide accurate information to emergency responders in the event of an incident. FedEx Ground will require all shippers to complete…
Implementation of Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations Still in a Holding Pattern
More than a year-and-a-half after the publication of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s HM-224F Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the path to a published rule remains elusive. At this current juncture, it appears PHMSA has yet to receive any direction on how to proceed in relation to the many controversial proposed requirements in…