The busy holiday season is in full swing now and as such, many of our fellow employees may be a little distracted as they try to get everything done that always needs doing this time of year. As HSE professionals, it’s our job to help our coworkers stay focused and safe in our workplace so that they and their families can really enjoy the holiday season when they’re home. Let’s make offering that help our contribution to a great December! Here’s the latest regulatory news:
PHMSA
In a major action, the agency published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to obtain stakeholder input on potential revisions to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to facilitate the safe transportation of hazardous materials using highly automated transportation systems, i.e., various types of drones and robots. Comments must be received by March 4, 2026, to ensure consideration for the resulting proposed rule. See the full brief here:
PHMSA also published a new tranche of Specials Permit actions. See those at the links here:
FAA
The agency published its required rate of testing for drugs and alcohol for subject employees for 2026. The rates remain set at 2025 levels, 25% for drugs and 10% for alcohol. See the full notice here:
FMCSA
The agency published a notice providing revisions to the National Hazardous Materials Route Registry (NHMRR) reported to FMCSA from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025. The NHMRR is a listing, as reported by State and Tribal governments, of all designated and restricted roads and preferred highway routes for transportation of highway route-controlled quantities of Class 7 radioactive materials (HRCQ/RAM) and non-radioactive hazardous materials (NRHM). The current registry is effective December 8, 2025. See the notice here:
OSHA
The agency published a new set of information collections. The ICR’s cover the following topics:
Hazardous Conditions Complaints: 2025-22216.pdf
OSHA Noise Standard: 2025-22214.pdf
Lead Exposure Standard: 2025-22215.pdf
EPA
The agency published an ICR related to reporting and recordkeeping requirements for the handling and disposal of PCB’s. See it here:
Labelmaster/DGEO is a full-service provider of products, shipping and training software, and professional consulting services to assist the DG and HS&E professional to comply with national and international regulations. See our full line of solutions at www.labelmaster.com.
