Amazingly enough, we’ve just finished the last weekend in September. Where does the time go? Cooler fall weather is beginning to settle in across the country; now is a great time to start thinking about your company’s cold weather plans for things like snow clearance, keeping walkways safe, and making sure heaters, boilers, and furnaces…
DG Digest: Agencies Publish Semi-annual Regulatory Agendas
The nation enters August with a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic driven by the Delta variant of the virus. As DG/HSE professionals committed to safe practices, let’s all work together to remain aware of any changed policies in our local jurisdictions—they may differ significantly from place to place—and be ready to help our employers with understanding and…
DG Digest: PHMSA Seeks Leading-edge, Innovative Ideas to Advance the Safe Transport of DG
Amazingly, it’s already almost mid-July! Crazy, how quickly the summer goes. Hopefully everyone is having a chance to enjoy a little down time; be sure that if and when you do, you remain attentive to safety, especially for big chores around the house and most especially, driving. Summer trips often mean unfamiliar territory, extra road…
DG Digest: Biden DOE Releases National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries 2021- 2030
Believe it or not it’s nearly mid-June already. The long hours of daylight and warm weather this time of year often lead workplaces to tackle those outdoor projects that may have been lagging all winter. If your site plans such work, be sure to do your homework first—secure necessary permits, plan your safety, especially fall protection…
DG Digest: Agencies Adjust Civil Penalties; DHS Delays REAL ID Enforcement Until May 2023
Happy May greetings! Hopefully this new month will bring not only the traditional “May Flowers” but also mark a turning point in our nation’s ongoing battle to control the COVID-19 pandemic. At this point the whole country is eligible to be vaccinated, so as HSE professionals, let’s make sure we’re ready to help our fellow…
DG Digest: TSA wants to collect biometric data for drivers, OSHA extends HCS comment period
Spring moves along as we head deeper into April, and it’s a good time to think about company emergency plans. Spring storm season is here, and several recent severe weather outbreaks across the nation remind us that as HS&E professionals, we need to keep our plans up to date to help protect our fellow employees…
DG Digest: IATA issues second addendum to the 62nd DGR, PHMSA to hold Lithium Battery Air Safety meeting this week
Today’s digest covers the two weeks just past. The first week of the period was quiet; the second week, quite busy. IATA published a new addendum and PHMSA was quite active. All in all, a busy period. Meanwhile, the vaccination effort against the ongoing pandemic continues. Let’s all keep working and living safe and do our part to battle this…
DG Digest: US DOT & Sub-agencies Publish Civil Penalties for 2021
Despite our hopes for a smoother start, the second week of the new year found the nation facing not only the ongoing pandemic but also unprecedented political turmoil in Washington, DC. However as Dangerous Goods/EHS Professionals, it’s our job to keep looking forward to better times and to make sure we all do our part…
DG Digest: PHMSA extends relief for rules on some hand sanitizer, FRA will require 40 states to develop plans that mitigate crossing risks
Mid-Month December saw PHMSA act to bring back part of the hand sanitizer exemptions that had expired on Halloween; details are below, but it’s important to note that the “new” (reinstated) exemption applies only to subject sanitizers manufactured PRIOR to the original expiration date. Many shippers have moved on from there and are simply shipping…
DG Digest: IATA releases download of Appendix H on competency-based training in advance of 2023 mandate
It’s the second full week of October—time flies! Now’s a great time to review and if need be update your workplace’s cold weather plans. It won’t be too long in many places before snow and ice make a potential early season comeback, so a safety plan for your employees always makes sense. Meanwhile, it’s Thanksgiving…