Search

Hazmat Items in the 5-year, $305B FAST Act Transportation Bill

Posted on 12/4/2015 by Roger Marks

HR-22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act—the five-year, $305 billion transportation bill announced by US Congress earlier this week—includes a number of items of interest to hazmat shippers, carriers, rail operators, manufacturers, oil and gas professionals, and others.

Below is a review of the hazmat items found in Title VII of the FAST Act. The full text of the Act is available online.

General Hazmat Items in the HR-22 FAST Act

  • Makes changes to the procedures for hazmat special permits;
  • Orders PHMSA to withdraw the “wetlines” rule proposed in January 2011 for external product piping on cargo tanks transporting flammable liquids;
  • Requires the US Comptroller General to review the regulations for “third-party labs” that help businesses classify new explosives under 49 CFR 173.56; and
  • Allows for states to waive the requirement for a commercial driver to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement on his or her Class A license to carry small volumes of diesel (> 1,000 gal.) when the truck is placarded appropriately and the driver is acting as an employee of a custom harvester operation, agrichemical business, farm retail outlet and supplier, or livestock feeder.
Hazmat by Rail Items in the HR-22 FAST Act

  • Orders DOT to create regulations for real-time electronic emergency response hazmat reporting for Class I railroads;
  • Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate emergency response information carried by train crews transporting hazardous materials;
  • Sets a schedule for phasing out all tank cars that do not meet the requirements of DOT-117, 117P, or 117R specifications;
  • Pressures US DOT to finalize the Hazardous Materials: Oil Spill Response Plans for High-Hazard Flammable Trains (HHFTs) rule proposed in August 2014; and
  • Orders a number of hazmat transportation studies and reports on topics including crude oil characteristics research, hazmat by rail liability, electronically control pneumatic (ECP) brakes for rail cars.
49 CFR, IATA, and IMDG Hazmat Shipper Certification Training 

To prepare safe, compliant hazmat shipments, you need the knowledge and confidence to work with the latest 49 CFR, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code regulations.  Join experienced hazmat professionals from your area for an engaging learning experience led by instructors who help uncover the real-world meaning of the regulations that affect your job.

The Complete Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Workshops are presented in convenient locations nationwide—enroll now and get 365 days of complete on-the-job support, including access to the Finder Q&A service! 

Tags: DOT, hazmat, new rules

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Lion was very responsive to my initial questions and the website was user friendly.

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

Lion Technology workshops are amazing!! You always learn so much, and the instructors are fantastic.

Dorothy Rurak

Environmental Specialist

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S Manager

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.