Search

24,000 Defects Found on Crude Oil Rail Routes

Posted on 4/10/2017 by Roger Marks

The Associated Press reported last week that inspections of 58,000 miles of oil train routes across forty-four states turned up 24,000 “imperfections” in the rail freight network.

These issues are especially concerning to oil and gas shippers; crude oil shipments on Class 1 railroads increased from 10,800 to 400,000+ between 2009 and 2015. While that number has declined a bit since, rail transport remains a major challenge for crude oil shippers.



See AP’s original story in the Omaha World-Herald.

GHS_bulk_hazmat_rail_car.jpg“Imperfections” like defective or missing track fasteners, loose or broken bolts, and cracked steel have been named as causes for a number of crude oil incidents over the past few years.
 

New Rules for Crude Oil Rail Shippers

The rising number of train derailments involving shipments of crude oil led US DOT in 2015 to develop bolstered standards for shippers of Class 3 flammable liquids and railroads. Among the new rules were more demanding designs and performance criteria for rail tanks, enhanced braking requirements, speed restrictions, and new routing requirements for trains carrying crude oil.

The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) also created new regulations to address the crude oil derailment problem. Published in July 2015, FRA’s Final Rule included new rules for securing stationary hazmat trains to prevent roll-aways.  
 

Map of Crude Oil Rail Incidents, 2013-Present

Crude-Oil-Incidents-Map.jpg

Additionally, FRA raised its civil penalties for rail safety compliance violations, including Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) violations and failure to provide hazmat training. The maximum civil penalty for a standard hazmat violation is now $78,376 per day, per violation. For aggravated violations—those that result in death, serious illness, or substantial destruction of property—the maximum fine is now $182,827 per day, per violation.

More recently, in January 2017, US DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) began work to create new rules to set vapor pressure limits for crude oil and other Class 3 hazardous materials. Limiting vapor pressure, DOT believes, may reduce the risk of catastrophic damage due to fire and explosions that often accompany derailments of crude oil tank cars.
 

Convenient DOT Hazmat Training for Rail Shippers

If you are responsible for loading, unloading, and transloading tank cars, or if you ship, carry, or receive hazmat by rail, keep up to date with these rules and more with Lion’s new Hazmat Ground Shipper—Additional Rail Requirements online course. Designed to meet DOT’s function-specific hazmat training, the course covers critical 49 CFR rules for shipping hazmat by tank car, freight container, IBC, and bulk or non-bulk packages by rail.

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, new rules, Rail

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

I chose Lion's online webinar because it is simple, effective, and easily accessible.

Jeremy Bost

Environmental Health & Safety Technician

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

The training was impressive. I am not a fan of online training but this was put together very well. I would recommend Lion to others.

Donnie James

Quality Manager

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Look beyond the annual "Top 10 List" to see specifics about the most cited OSHA health & safety Standards and the individual regulations that tripped up employers the most last year. 

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.