DOT has issued an information paper on the Reported Damages versus Projected True Costs of Hazardous Materials Incidents from 1998 to 2000. During this period, there were about 800,000 daily hazmat shipments which resulted in 49,933 incidents of which 323 were ‘serious non-accident/derailment’ incidents. Of these, 138 involved damage by forklifts, general handling, dropping, improper blocking and bracing, loading and unloading, and other human error causes. In other words, 43% of the incidents were deemed the result of material handling. The study further investigates the reported versus actual costs of these incidents but more importantly, validates that while in-transit, packaging must be able to withstand the rigors of unexpected handling. In the case of steel containers and drums, the thicker the metal wall, the greater the protection against puncture, excessive vibration and other types of handing damage. An extra dollar of steel could save thousands of dollars in clean-up expense.
Drum It Up
STEEL DRUM INDUSTRY NEWS, TRENDS AND ISSUES
Archive for February, 2003
RIPA Proposes Federal Support Of Reusable Packaging
"The time is right to seek greater Federal recognition of, and support for, increased use of reusable packagings," stated Paul Rankin, President of RIPA (The Reusable Industrial Packaging Association). The presentation was made at the Annual Meeting for the Reusable Pallet and Container Coalition. Rankin explained that recent studies indicate that using reusable packaging reduces energy consumption, waste disposal and greenhouse gas emissions. He also stated that until now, most Federal programs were designed to reduce consumer waste and expand recycling. Rankin went on to propose that as part of a national packaging reuse strategy, there needs to be the creation of a coalition of organizations interested in promoting materials and packaging reuse at a national level that would include corporate users of reusable packaging, non-for-profits dedicated to material reuse, and groups representing government agencies. To join this coalition, contact Paul Rankin at 301.577.3786 or email prankin@igc.org.
Homeland Security Focuses On Immigrant Employees
By 2004, all employees pursuing US residency will be subject to new requirements by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The new regulations will require that qualifying individuals holding student, visitor, and H-1B visa status augment their personal files with biometric data. This includes fingerprints, a retinal scan, and other specific information. Also, effective September 11, 2002, the INS is requiring certain non-immigrants to be photographed, fingerprinted, and interviewed under oath at their port of entry or by ‘special registration’ call-up. Those subject to these requirements must also notify the INS within 10 days of changes to their home address, employment, or attending education institution. Failure to comply with these new requirements will lead to deportation, detention, fines, or arrest.
