PHMSA The agency, in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration and pursuant to the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) of 2015, issued a final rule to revise and clarify requirements for comprehensive oil spill response plans (COSRPs) and to expand their applicability based on petroleum oil thresholds that apply to an entire train…
DG Digest: PHMSA seeks renewal of ICRs for transport of radioactive materials in commerce
The last weekend of February finds the nation still coping with heavy winter weather. Perhaps March will see things get better, but don’t let up on your efforts to keep employees safe from snow and ice, and keep hoping for an early spring! Meanwhile, regulatory activity was somewhat lighter this week. Here’s the latest: PHMSA…
DG Digest: OSHA issues guidance aiming to protect workers from lithium batteries worn as personal equipment
Mid-February finds a variety of action taking place on the regulatory front as everyone waits for winter to run its course. With the shutdown now receding, agencies have ramped back up to normal operations, and are busy with their schedules. Here’s all the latest: FAA The agency published the renewal of an ICR affecting Part…
DG Digest: FRA publishes emergency relief docket and DOT reviewing need for some external guidance documents
The last two weeks found federal agencies slowly returning to their normal schedules following the recent shutdown. The result? A much busier DG Digest! Meanwhile, much of the country is experiencing the grip of the depth of winter. Is your workplace safe for employees? Remember to keep your walkways clear and dry, watch inside flooring…
DOT Departments Limit Services During Continued Government Shutdown
Have you been curious how the partial Government shutdown has affected the Department of Transportation (DOT) offices? DOT recently issued a plan document outlining how each office is operating during the current funding freeze. It includes a summary of personnel affected (working vs. furloughed), as well as summaries of continuing operations and suspended activities. Hazardous…
Hazmat hopes 2019: Top Dangerous Goods professionals share their wishes
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?…
DG Digest: FMCSA reopens comment period on hazmat endorsements
As we roll into the last few weeks of the year, regulatory activity has stayed relatively busy for a period during which it usually isn’t. Is this a harbinger for a busy 2019, perhaps? We’ll see! Meanwhile, remember to stay safe during the holiday season—it’s an easy time to get distracted, whether at home or…
DG Digest: PHMSA’s proposed harmonization rule — HM-215O — released, comment period closes early in 2019
Hopefully everyone has had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday period—welcome back! The last two busy weeks of regulatory activity are below, with the elephant in the room being the release this morning of PHMSA’s HM-215O International Harmonization NPRM, or proposed rule. This rule, once implemented, would align US regulations with those found in the…
DG Digest: PHMSA publishes HM-219A in hopes of clarifying some regulatory confusion
On Sunday the nation paused to thank its veterans; Labelmaster joins with all Americans to express gratitude to all whose service has meant so much to our country. The week’s news is led by an important PHMSA release as the agency published HM-219A; see below for all the details as well as other regulatory news:…
DG Digest: FedEx released own carrier variations, and FMCSA published an ICR on acquiring a CDL
As the nation heads into Election Day on November 6th, regulatory activity continues at a fairly brisk pace. After such a quiet summer, it’s good to see things stay a little busier! Here’s all the latest: PHMSA The agency published a correction to its recently released update to the air rules under HM-259. The correction…