PHMSA Withdraws Crude Oil Vapor Pressure Proposal

Posted on 5/26/2020 by Roger Marks

DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has withdrawn a proposal to establish vapor pressure limits for crude oil and other Class 3 flammable hazardous materials.

After reviewing comments submitted in response to its January 2017 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), PHMSA will no longer consider imposing vapor pressure standards for crude oil, other unrefined petroleum-based products, or Class 3 flammable liquids by any mode of transport.

In its notice of withdrawal, PHMSA cites a study conducted by the Sandia National Laboratories that found vapor pressure of crude oil is not a significant factor in the severity of fires or fireballs that result from accidents.

Therefore, PHMSA believes that imposing vapor pressure testing requirements “is not justified because such a regulation would not improve the safety of transporting crude oil by rail.” For more details on the study, the comments PHMSA received, and PHMSA’s decision, read the notice in the May 20 Federal Register.

Hazmat Ground Shipper–Additional Rail Requirements

To help rail shippers and railroads maintain compliance with changing US DOT standards for hazmat shipments, the new Hazmat Ground Shipper—Additional Rail Requirements Online Course covers the complex rules for this unique mode of transport.

Designed to help offerors meet DOT’s function-specific hazmat training mandate at 49 CFR 172.704(a)(2), the course covers the requirements for shipping hazmat by tank car, freight container, and bulk or non-bulk packages.

Learn more about the course and sign up here.

Tags: crude oil, hazardous materials, hazmat by rail, PHMSA

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

Having the tutorial buttons for additional information was extremely beneficial.

Sharon Ziemek

EHS Manager

This was the 1st instructor that has made the topic actually enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. Far better than the "other" training providers our company has attended!

Lori Hardy

Process & Resource Administrator

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

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

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

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

Download

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.