PHMSA As just noted above, in a major action the agency has published its newest international harmonization proposal. The NPRM is HM-215Q and will align current US 49 CFR HMR regulations more closely with the current UN structure found in the ICA/IATA, IMDG, and UNMR texts. Highlights include: • Incorporation by Reference: PHMSA proposes to…
PHMSA announces ICR renewal for IBC’s and Portable Tanks
Rolling into the third week of May finds the regulatory world relatively quiet. If you haven’t had a chance yet to get your summer heat safety program set up, maybe use the break to finish it! Here’s the latest: PHMSA The agency published a request for comment on its plan to request renewal of six…
Transport Canada Publishes a Revised Tank Car Construction Standard
Mid-May is here and with it both some serious stormy weather as well as some rapidly warming temperatures in various parts of the country. If your workplace hasn’t yet shifted into its “summer safety season” programs, now’s the time to make it happen. Storm damage and heat related illnesses can both be trouble for your…
DOT’s drug and alcohol testing program, now allowing the use of oral sampling
The end of the first week of May finished up with some changes coming to DOT required drug and alcohol testing programs that can affect many carriers, and an important safety advisory in reference to rail transport. So, let’s have a look at the news: DOT The agency published a rule that amends the DOT’s…
DG Digest: On this May Day, NACOSH announces public meeting for May 31st, and PHMSA announces rule making for HM-219D
This edition of the DG Digest publishes on May Day. The first day of May is traditionally a day that celebrates workers and their rights. One big right? The right to work safely. As HSE and DG professionals, one of our primary reasons for being is to help ensure that safety is always top of…
DG Digest: USPS updates Pub 52, will start collecting electronic data to ensure safe DG handling on July 9, 2023
The weekend just concluded featured the annual Earth Day commemoration. While opinions may differ on the direction of environmental policies, every company can usually benefit from ideas that help to reduce waste streams and that allow for the more effective use of consumable resources like energy and water. Both these things can help to reduce…
DG Digest: PHMSA announces meeting regarding input to the upcoming 2024 ERG.
Mid-April finds PHMSA a little busy; the agency published a pair of notices that will help shape future policy, with one pertaining to the popular and widely used ERG. Meanwhile, spring weather continues across the country with its attendant potential for severe conditions, so be sure your workplace is ready to cope. Safety first and…
DG Digest: PHMSA Lithium Battery Air Safety Committee to meet April 20th; OSHA submitted an ICR for its Highly Hazardous Chemical Safety Program
The first full week of April featured several significant religious holidays that many people observe, and as such, things were just a little quieter on the regulatory news scene. Here’s the latest: PHMSA The agency announced a meeting of the Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee for April 20th. This group is a stakeholder committee…
DG Digest: PHMSA publishes a safety advisory related to the recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Here we are in April! Spring Break time is here, so let’s all be sure that we have planned how we will help employees stay safe during a period when many workplaces may be shorthanded or have employees daydreaming of the beach (don’t we all!). Hopefully, warmer weather will soon give all of us a…
DG Digest: PHMSA Publishes a Renewal of Its ICR Package Covering Hazardous Materials Incident Reporting Requirements.
Welcome to the first full week of spring! As we put winter behind us, let’s all start turning our focus to the safety concerns of warmer weather – things like severe storm readiness planning, keeping gutters and drains clear for heavy rain run-off, and planning for the coming summer and safeguarding our fellow employees from…