On September 7, 2016, the United States Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published in the Federal Register proposed changes to 49 CFR Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 175, 176, 178, and 180, the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).  The HMR is the basic statute regulating hazardous materials transportation in the United States.  The proposed changes are to amend the HMR to maintain consistency with various international standards.

The Hazardous Materials Regulations is used to determine what means of transportation (truck, rail, vessel or air transport) is allowed to be used for the shipment of a hazardous material.  According to the CFR, a Hazardous material means “a substance or material thatthe Secretary of Transportation has determined is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and has designated as hazardous under section 5103 of Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5103)”

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Hazardous materials include hazardous waste and include items containing such chemicals as alcohols, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide; or items such as air bags, engines, lighters and batteries.  The HMR specifies the maximum amount allowed to be shipped by each mode of transportation.  It also specifies labeling, shipping documentation and training requirements.  If you ship an item that contains a listed hazardous material, or is a listed hazardous item, you may be required to comply with the Hazardous Materials Regulations.

 

If you have any questions, or you would like to know how these changes may affect you or your company call Walden Environmental Engineering at (516) 624-7200.