DOT Pipeline Imposing Penalties For Lack Of Training

The new Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA, formerlyRSPA) gives notice to regulated industries of hazardous materials, of civil penalties forviolations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) (49 Code of FederalRegulations Parts 100 – 185). It is the task of PHMSA‘s inspection and enforcement staffto determine compliance with the safety and training standards of the HMR by inspectingthe regulated industry that offers hazardous materials for transportation. While most ofthe haz-mat “community” is aware of the need for employee training, PHMSA has begunin-field enforcement of these requirements and is citing violations with penalties. InJanuary 2005, the failure to develop and implement a security plan; failure to provideemployee training, and failure to create and retain records of training testing (CFR172.800, 172.802, 172.702(b), 172.704(a) and (d)) resulted in penalties ranging from$1,800 to $7,500. In order to avoid these violations, we encourage our customers andfriends to consult the DOT website at: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/training-modules to learnmore about haz-mat and Security training requirements.