DG Digest: FRA Minimum Crews, PHMSA Special Permits, and Coast Guard Drones

The Association of American Railroads seeks a compliance waiver from the FRA to test new wayside train brake inspection technology on unit coal trains operating over a segment of the Union Pacific. Here a movement of that commodity heads north near Hegewisch, Illinois in November of 2012. © 11/2012 by Nikki Burgess; all rights reserved.

The Association of American Railroads seeks a compliance waiver from the FRA to test new wayside train brake inspection technology on unit coal trains operating over a segment of the Union Pacific. Here a movement of that commodity heads north near Hegewisch, Illinois in November of 2012. © 11/2012 by Nikki Burgess; all rights reserved.

Welcome to Spring!  Here’s the latest news from another busy week in the world of Dangerous Goods, EH&S, and associated regulations:

Federal Railroad Administration:

  • The FRA issued a new proposed rule which would mandate two-person minimum crews for all trains operating with certain commodities and under certain conditions; this in continued response to the Lac Megantic, Quebec derailment disaster in 2013. A one person crew in that accident has been speculated on as a contributing cause.
  • Consonant with the above, the Conference Board of Canada (an independent research entity) issued a summary of its latest activity focused on the topic of rail safety, addressing documentation, emergency response, and training as among the most critical issues needing improvement in Canada’s rail transport system.
  • FRA also issued an information collection request in reference to the use of non-prescription medications by train crews. FRA is investigating what role if any such use may play in terms of railroad safety.
  • FRA rolled out a new interactive website to help try and mitigate the nations’ still unsolved problems of train-vehicle accidents at level crossings. The nes site has resources aimed at the general public, state and local government, and the first responder community.
  • As noted in the cover photo, the FRA has received a request for a waiver of compliance (with existing safety rules) from the Association of American Railroads or AAR. AAR is asking the FRA to allow it to use a new type of wayside failure detector to detect potential brake faults on unit coal trains on one segment of the Union Pacific Railroad.  The AAR believes that if the tests are successful it could pave the way for general introduction of the technology, which they estimate is up to four times as effective at finding faults with train brakes than current inspection protocols.

OSHA:

  • OSHA issued a press release announcing a renewed commitment to addressing worker “struck-by-vehicle” accident rates. This type of incident still accounts for a significant fraction of serious worker injuries and fatalities in the US.  OSHA noted the first big step up will be in its Midwest regional offices.
  • OSHA also extended its comment period for input on its new “Weight of Evidence “ guidelines for classifying hazardous chemicals; this as part of its continuing effort to refine and make easier to use the 2012 version of the Hazard Communication Standard, which introduced GHS harmonization to the US workplace.
  • OSHA also issued a revised and extended information collection request in reference to its reporting requirements for process safety in the “Highly Hazardous Chemical” industry. The agency has rules in place which govern the handling, storage, and use of such commodities in those workplaces.  OSHA monitors (via reporting) many facets of industry’s performance in this safety critical field, including training, emergency response, and a plethora of other needed skills.

FMCSA:

  • In good news for our nation’s veterans, the FMCSA issue a proposed rule which would extend to one year the waiver for military CDL drivers to qualify for a corresponding civilian license without a new skills test under certain conditions.

PHMSA:

EPA:

  • In interesting USEPA power generation news, the Supreme Court stayed the agency’s “Clean Power Plan” which among other things has strong new rules limiting emissions and is seen by many as a direct assault on the nation’s fossil fuel power generation industry. The Obama Administration immediately announced plans to try to have the stay lifted.

TSA:

  • TSA issued an information collection in reference to enhanced security reporting requirements that may affect both shippers and carriers of air freight. The collection addresses several broad categories of companies and individuals who may interact with the nation’s air freight and requires the reporting or certain personal information depending on the positions and functions of the people and or firms involved.

ICAO:

U.S. Coast Guard:

  • What’s that buzzing overhead as you spend a day on the bay? Yes—you guessed it—the US Coast Guard has announced plans to begin a cooperative effort with private industry to establish drone use as part of its normal maritime safety and security operations network.  The USCH also announced plans to tie the efforts in with those of local first responder networks like fire and police agencies.

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