Ever since the Lac Megantic derailment disaster in 2013, North American rail carriers have been engaged in a running administrative battle with assorted local municipalities that have tried, so far without success, to impose local taxes or fees on the carriage of dangerous goods over the railroads that pass through their communities. This is an…
DG Digest: Lloyd’s of London Reports on Maritime Cargo Incidents, PHMSA to Align with International Regs, and RSC’s Next Meeting Announced
Perhaps understandably given that it’s the last week of the summer season as traditionally end-bracketed by the upcoming Labor Day holiday, this edition of the DG Digest is a bit threadbare in terms of its scope of fresh news this morning. Nevertheless, here we go: Maritime The US Coast Guard published a notice correcting an…
DG Digest: Chemical Safety Board Issues Alert, EPA Settles with Harley-Davidson, and FAA OK’s Special Conditions for the Boeing 737-8
Ready for another week? Although August can be a slow month in the regulatory world as much of Washington, DC takes time to avoid the sticky heat and humidity in the nation’s capitol, this week was nevertheless quite busy. Here’s all the latest and greatest: Chemical Safety The US Chemical Safety Board has issued a…
DG Digest: Final Rules on FRA Safety Plans and FAST Act
To a certain degree, the “dog days” of summer do seem to be here; action in the regulatory sector last week was limited, the exception being two major rules implemented to impact the nation’s rail infrastructure, affecting both safety of operation and the carriage of flammable liquids. Here’s the week’s breakdown: FRA FRA announces…
Changes to 58th Edition of the IATA DGR – A Synopsis
In late July, the International Aviation Transport Association (IATA) released a summary document in reference to the changes that will appear in the 58th edition of their Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR). This edition will become effective on January 1st, 2017. While many changes are of a minor or administrative nature, a number of significant…
DG Digest: Special Permit Delays, USPS Updates Pub 52, and the EPA’s New Tool
August is now in full swing, and the summer doldrums have, at least to a degree, struck the regulatory scene. It was a quiet week, in so far as it goes. However, here are the highlights, which do contain several items of interest: PHMSA: There was an announcement in reference to delayed applications in the…
DG Digest: PHMSA v. Pittsburgh, FAA Backs Off a Bit, & DOT Being “Spooky”
Here it is mid-July already! We here at Labelmaster hope your plans for a summer break are on your schedule, but the regulatory world seems to be seeing little change of pace—those agencies are out there and staying busy with new information and requirements. Here’s the latest: PHMSA Pre-empts Pittsburgh, PA In an interesting turn…
DG Digest: FMCSA on Driver Qualifications, FRA Pushes Crossing Safety, and EPA to Allow Emissions Override for Emergency Generators
Believe it or not, the Independence Day holiday is over already! Hopefully, your summer is going well—and not too quickly to miss enjoying. And here at Labelmaster, so far the summer season has yet to slow down the pace of regulatory news, so let’s dive right in: FMCSA Corrects an error in its June 7,…
DG Digest: FRA, PHMSA, TSA, FMCSA and OSHA Fines Increasing
Last week’s DG Digest was pre-empted by an otherwise very busy schedule here at Labelmaster; so, this week, we’ll be covering the last two weeks instead of just one. Gosh it’s been busy! Whatever happened to the “lazy crazy hazy days of summer?” Gone with the song, apparently. Herewith, the action on the DG/EH&S front…
Okay, Fine! PHMSA to Increase Penalties on August 1st
The USDOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) took a big step forward yesterday in upping the ante for shippers who knowingly violate the regulation contained in the US 49 CFR Parts 100 – 185 Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). Increases in penalties had been bandied about the industry for some time, and have now…