Heading towards the Independence Day holiday, the regulatory news is mostly about reporting requirements. The recent large train derailment in Ohio has definitely energized Congress and regulators to take a harder look at what kind of information should be available to emergency response personnel from subject carriers. Here’s the latest: PHMSA In an early notice…
PHMSA terminates Explosive (EX) classification approvals for holders who can’t prove successful tests.
Here’s the latest news from what was a quiet regulatory week: PHMSA The agency announced that it has terminated the Explosive (EX) classification approvals listed in the linked-to notice. PHMSA published a Federal Register Notice on May 4, 2021, notifying the approval holders listed that PHMSA intended to terminate their approvals for failure to provide…
DG Digest: FMCSA Renewing ICR titled, ‘‘Hazardous Materials Safety Permits.’’
Even as many workplaces begin to see open docks and other work areas for the summer, wildfire smoke has become a prevalent concern. Be sure that if your site is located in an area that is affected by such smoke, that you have a safety plan in place to minimize the impacts and protect your…
The EPA has published new guidance related to the characterization of waste related to lithium batteries.
It’s the first week of June and here comes summer! If you haven’t yet implemented your workplace’s summer heat illness and injury prevention program, now’s the time! Heat stress and heat stroke are among the most common workplace illnesses and the summertime is the biggest period of the year where they tend to occur. Help…
PHMSA publishes its newest international harmonization proposal. The NPRM is HM-215Q
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…