Here we go, rolling into the last full official week of summer. Despite the advance of the calendar, however, much of the country, especially in the West, is still coping with high temperatures and fire danger. Be sure your workplace continues to monitor conditions and has the needed protocols in place to keep employees working…
DG Digest: PHMSA releases HM-215P final rule, with changes to lithium battery exceptions — and much more.
Welcome to August! Summer continues to roll on by. Every year, it seems to go a bit faster, too! August is often the month that sees businesses have the largest number of employees off on vacation. Because of this, short staffing can sometimes be an issue and the employees that are still busy working can…
DG Digest: PHMSA published ICR for the transport of radioactive materials in commerce
Here we are at mid-July already! Where does the summer go? Hopefully, your workplace is operating its warm weather safety plan effectively. Remember that heat stress and heat stroke can represent serious safety concerns at this time of year, especially for workers outdoors or in spaces that lack air conditioning. Make sure your workplace addresses…
DG Digest: PHMSA requests comments on potential move to electronic shipping papers
Welcome back to the DG Digest after a brief summer hiatus! The last few weeks have been eventful, with perhaps the biggest news item being one of general interest: the Supreme Court decision in the matter of “West Virginia vs. USEPA.” This ruling, the subject of which was a Clean Air Act regulation not specifically…
9 improvements you can expect from smarter online hazmat training
Ever ask a sulky teenager to execute a household chore? They’ll do the bare minimum, but it’s easy to see that it could have been done better. There’s a similar dynamic with Dangerous Goods training. The law says employees have to be trained if an organization ships or handles hazardous materials, and many companies do…
DG Digest: PHMSA extends comment period on converting historic letters of interpretation into FAQs on its website
Mid-June rolls in with Hurricane season beginning to ramp up. This can produce severe storms in affected regions, and flooding rains even in areas far from the storm zone itself. Be sure your business has severe weather plans to prepare the response needed! Meanwhile, it was a usual week in the regulatory world, with several…
DG Digest: PHMSA published final rule that its employees can refer relevant potential criminal acts to DOT Inspector General
Here we are in Mid-May already! Where does the time go? Hopefully everyone is enjoying the warming spring weather and looking forward to the coming summer season. As HSE professionals, remember that it’s our job to have a solid heat plan in effect to help protect our fellow employees from any heat-related illnesses. It will…
DG Digest: U.S. DOT adjusts civil penalties for inflation
Welcome to Spring! I’m sure that we’re all glad to start putting the winter behind us. As our workplaces begin to transition to warmer weather, as HS&E professionals let’s be sure that any damage to things like outdoor break or lunch areas gets taken care of before our fellow employees start to use them more heavily…
DG Digest: PHMSA publishes latest round of Special Permits
It’s Valentine’s Day! Hopefully there is something sweet in store for you and your family for it. Enjoy it! In a regulatory sense, mid-February finds things relatively “business-as-usual,” with some of the typical items promulgated over the last week. Here’s the latest: PHMSA The agency published it’s latest raft of Special Permit actions, with some of the typical…
DG Digest: US Agencies Adjust Civil Penalties for 2022
As the week begins the nation honors the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Labelmaster family joins all Americans in recognizing the gigantic importance of Dr. King’s work and his lasting legacy. Mid-January finds the nation finished with the winter holidays and struggling with the inevitable resulting surge in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many…