Work in Dangerous Goods long enough, and you may find yourself wishing things were different. Couldn’t that new IATA regulation be worded more clearly? Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to explain Limited Quantities to your customer—for the third time? And how exactly does a 2mm-thick label border make a hazmat shipment safer?…
Getting You Ready — New Lithium Battery Marks and Labels are Mandatory on January 1st
As 2019 quickly approaches, lithium battery shippers need to be aware of the mandatory label changes that become effective on January 1st. For almost 2 years shippers of small (excepted) batteries and battery-powered devices have had the option to use either the lithium battery handling “Caution” label or the lithium battery mark while operating under…
Your fall guide to 2019 Dangerous Goods regulatory publications
Who doesn’t love fall? The trees go ablaze with color, the air takes on that indescribable crispness, and the latest Dangerous Goods regulatory publications become available. (Alternate opening for those in the southern hemisphere: Who doesn’t love spring? The trees burst from grey to green, the air takes on that indescribable lushness, and the latest…
DG Digest: IMO lists significant changes for the 39th Amendment of the IMDG Code
As the nation transitions into the fall season, regulatory activity in the US sector remains minimal. FRA and FMCSA both issued actions, many of them concerned with a variety of hours-of-service issues for employees; we’ll cover those. However in big international news, the IMO has released its update of changes that will be incorporated into…
DG Digest: US Department of State Announces Pre-Meeting for UN-IMO Container Conference
Holy smokes it’s slow this week! The only news on the regulatory front is an announcement for the pre-meeting on the upcoming IMO Cargo and Container Conference. With that being, it IS the middle of summer and typically the hottest time of the year. Are your employees coping? Heat stress and stroke can be real…
DG Digest: OSHA proposes changes to electronic injury reporting system
OSHA The agency promulgated a proposed rule that will provide regulatory relief to certain railroad construction and repair activity involving cranes. The American Association of Railroads worked with OSHA and the FRA to craft the rule. See its parameters here In the week’s biggest news, OSHA is seeking comment on a proposal to remove the…
DG Digest: IMO Announces Newest Amendment to IMDG Code, Due in September
As the nation starts to swing in towards the 4th of July holiday and typical summer fun, regulatory activity has perked up somewhat. Does this mean a busy fall ahead? We’ll see! Meanwhile, here’s the most recent news: IMO The International Maritime Agency announced that the newest amendment of the IMDG Code (i.e. 39-18) for…
DG Digest: IMO proposes changes to next IMDG Code
The last full week of the short month of the year found a variety of actions taking place, with announcements from Canada regarding registering shippers who handle dangerous goods and the IMO releasing information about significant changes to the upcoming version of the IMDG Code taking center stage. Here’s the latest: Transport Canada The agency…
DG Digest: PHMSA Names a New Deputy Administrator; FRA and FMCSA Withdraw Sleep Apnea Standards
August is the month that Washington, DC takes off. Congress is not in session and many officials get of town—the city is famous for its humid and uncomfortable August weather. However, despite this the last week was fairly busy on the regulatory front, with a number of agencies announcing relevant action. Here’s the update: PHMSA…
DG Digest: US Air Force Updates AFMAN and the EPA Revises TSCA Handling of the Materials List
The summer quiet continues around the regulatory scene these last two weeks, with relatively minimal action. Biggest news of the period was the issuance of a revised US Air Force “AFMAN,” which serves all of the US armed services as their guide to shipping hazardous materials. It was the first such issuance in several years—2009,…