Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

PHMSA Starts Rolling on New Crude Oil Volatility Standards

Posted on 1/16/2017 by Roger Marks

UPDATE 01/18/17: PHMSA's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to potentially establish vapor pressure limits for crude oil and possibly other Class 3 flammable hazardous materials appeared in the Federal Register today.  View it here. 

The US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking input on potentially establishing vapor pressure limits for unrefined petroleum-based products (and potentially all Class 3 liquids) shipped by any mode.

The ANPRM is a response to petition from the New York State Attorney General’s office (Petition P-1669), which requests that PHMSA add a new paragraph (a)(6) to 49 CFR 174.310 that would require all crude oil transported by rail to have a Reid vapor pressure (RVP) of less than 9.0 psi.

Limiting the vapor pressure, it is thought, may reduce the risk of death or damage from fires or explosions that result from accidents involving crude oil.

View the ANPRM, Hazardous Materials: Volatility of Unrefined Petroleum Products and Class 3 Materials, here.

49 CFR Hazmat Classification for Crude Oil

Rail car carrying crude oil or class 3 flammable liquidUnder the current Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), shippers must consider all hazards when classifying hazmat for transport. [49 CFR 173.22] Crude oil and other unrefined petroleum products may fall into a number of DOT hazard classes or divisions. In addition to characteristics of a Class 3 flammable or combustible liquid, these products may exhibit hazards like:  

  • Flammable gas (Division 2.1);
  • Non-flammable, non-poisonous compressed gas (Division 2.2);
  • Gas poisonous by inhalation (Division 2.3);
  • Poisonous material (Division 6.1); or
  • Corrosives (Class 8).

This makes accurate and complete classification of crude oil and petroleum products a bigger challenge than for some other materials.  

Other Recent 49 CFR Crude Oil Rulemakings

The ANPRM regarding unrefined petroleum volatility and vapor pressure is the latest development in PHMSA’s ongoing effort to enhance the safety of crude oil shipments in North America.

In May 2015, PHMSA published a Final Rule that established new sampling and testing rules for crude oil, bolstered tank car standards, speed restrictions for certain trains, new braking standards, new routing requirements, and an aggressive schedule to retrofit outdated tank cars. In addition, the Final Rule created two new designations of trains carrying hazardous materials: High-Hazard Flammable Trains (HHFTs) and High-Hazard Flammable Unit Trains (HHUFTs).

In July 2016, PHMSA proposed a rule to expand the comprehensive oil spill response plans (OSRP) required for railroads that transport HHFTs. Final action on this proposed rule is expected in July 2017, according to the DOT’s Fall Regulatory Agenda.

Convenient Online Training for Hazmat Rail Shippers

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: DOT, hazmat shipping, new rules, PHMSA, Rail

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

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

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

In most cases, injuries that occur at work are work-related and must be recorded to maintain compliance with OSHA regulations. This report shows you the 9 types of injuries you don’t record.

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.