Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

DOT to Adopt Old Special Permits into Hazardous Materials Regulations

Posted on 7/26/2012 by Roger Marks

In previous installments of LionBlog’s coverage of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) highway bill, we discussed rising civil penalties and Congress’ take on the DOT’s Enhanced Enforcement Authority. Today, we will take a look at instructions Congress had for the DOT’s hazmat Special Permits program.
 
In the Special Permits, Approvals, and Exclusions section of the MAP-21 law, Congress instructed the DOT to review and revise the requirements and procedures pertaining to special permits. Congress hopes to clarify the process and make alternative, safe procedures more easily available to industry on the whole. A review of the special permitting program has been laid out over the next 3 years, with important deadlines as follows:
 
July 1, 2013 – By this date, the DOT must review all special permits older than 10 years. Congress hopes that many of these special permits will be officially incorporated into the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR)—the idea being that if the alternative procedures outlined in the special permit are widely applicable and equally as effective as the procedures in the regulations, these alternative procedures should be part of the rules so that industry can take advantage of them without applying for coverage under the special permit.
 
July 1, 2014 – By this date, the DOT will issue regulations establishing a standard operating procedure for the evaluation of special permits and the administration of the special permit/approval program. Included in this will be procedures for automatically incorporating into the HMR special permits with longstanding safety records.
 
July 1, 2015 – By this date, the DOT must incorporate permits 10 years old or older into the regulations. The DOT must provide an explanation for any special permits it decides will not be added to the rules.
 
Have you been using a special permit for 10 or more years? Are there any special permits you’d like to see officially adopted into the HMR? How will easier access to alternative procedures affect your hazmat operations? Let us know in the comments below!
 
In the upcoming final installment of LionBlog’s coverage of the MAP-21 highway bill, we’ll discuss some miscellaneous amendments made to the Hazardous Materials Regulations, including Congress’ plans for wet-lines, electronic shipping papers, improving incident reporting, training inspectors, and the hazmat safety permit program. Stay tuned!
 

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, MAP 21, new rules

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

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

Having the tutorial buttons for additional information was extremely beneficial.

Sharon Ziemek

EHS Manager

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

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

David Hertvik

Vice President

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Tips to identify and manage universal waste under more-stringent state regulations for generators and universal waste handlers in California.

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.