At the annual conference of COSTHA (Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles, the top regulators from PHMSA shared their visions for expanding the safety of hazmat transportation within the US and abroad. Theodore (Ted) Willke, Administrator for Hazardous Materials, spoke of “elegant and smart solutions” being implemented to make the world safer. His four-part approach includes reducing risk; partnering with industry; developing smart solutions and ultimately positioning DOT as a model regulatory agency. Ted used eBay and return logistics programs as examples of hazmat shippers that are ignorant of the regulations and often wrongly ship dangerous goods. He also commented that nearly one-quarter of the bulk container incidents occur during loading or unloading. Both these are issues that are currently being addressed. Ted recognized that the hazmat shipping world is comprised of a lot of shippers that are good-guys; some violators; those who are careless; those who seek out bare minimum solutions, and those who are clueless. In their 5-Year Plan for the DOT, they hope to create a HazMat Intelligence Portal that will help all types of shippers find it easy to comply with the regulations by understanding the need to enhance safety and reduce risk. Amen!
Associations DOT/UN HazMat