In the news: In 2022, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) began an effort to convert historical Letters of Interpretation (LOI) related to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) into Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that are more broadly applicable and available to the public. The purpose of this initiative is to improve public understanding and awareness of the HMR.
Here are four examples of the most recently published FAQs from August 18th:
Question: Is an incident report required if a box, drum, or similar packaging is discovered to be leaking after the shipment is delivered to the consignee?
Question: Is immediate notice required under § 171.15 for an incident that leads to a ‘‘road closure’’ when no hazardous material is released as a result of the incident?
Question: Is immediate notification to the National Response Center (NRC) required if a package of radioactive material is damaged during transportation but the radioactive material itself has not been released from its inner packaging—which provides shielding—and the damage does not result in radioactive contamination or excessive radiation exposure?
Question: How much hazardous materials may be unintentionally released during the hookup and breakdown of loading and unloading hoses before a person would be required to submit a Hazardous Materials Incident Report on DOT Form F 5800.1?
Go deeper: Curious to learn the answers to these questions? Check out the responses here.