Search

Transport Canada and PHMSA Team Up on Electronic Hazmat Shipping Papers

Posted on 7/1/2019 by Roger Marks

Transport Canada recently announced a planned three-year “sandbox” program to study replacing paper hazardous materials/dangerous goods shipping papers with electronic versions of the documentation. The Canadian transportation agency will partner with US DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to launch the program, which will authorize stakeholders to use digital shipping papers on a trial basis.

Keep your hazmat shipping skills sharp and meet DOT’s 3-year hazmat training mandate. Join Lion for the Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification Workshop in New Jersey, Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Baltimore, Charlotte, and Orlando in July 2019.  

The agencies’ goal is to evaluate the benefits, cost, and effectiveness of using electronic shipping papers for hazardous materials shipments. The program will be used for all modes of transportation and include shipments that cross the US-Canada border.

As a first step, Transport Canada set up a web page to inform stakeholders and collect thoughts from first responders, businesses, law enforcement, and government agencies.

Pilot testing of electronic shipping documents is planned to begin in 2020.

Shortcomings of Physical Hazmat Shipping Papers

A move to electronic hazmat shipping papers is not simply about using technology for technology’s sake. While hazmat regulatory agencies do want shippers and carriers to have options that reflect the latest technological advances, there are concrete benefits to using electronic shipping documentation.

For example, in the event of an emergency release in transportation, an emergency responder may need access to shipping papers in order to know the exact type and quantity of hazardous materials on board. If the shipping papers are inside the truck, this can mean putting him- or herself in tremendous danger to retrieve them in order to have the information needed to respond properly.

With an electronic system in place, responders could access information remotely, avoid the risk of entering the vehicle, and respond more promptly.

In addition to the safety benefits, using electronic hazmat documents in place of printed shipping papers can save shippers and carriers the cost of printing and maintaining this paperwork. Electronic shipping papers could also be incorporated into the wireless communication systems that many companies already have in place for added efficiency and improved sharing of hazard data.

Hazardous waste shippers would benefit as well. While US EPA already allows the use of the electronic Hazardous Waste Manifest or e-Manifest, US DOT still requires a paper copy to accompany a waste shipment under its 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

Have thoughts about electronic hazmat shipping papers? You can join the discussion here.

 

Nationwide Hazmat Training in Summer 2019

Join expert Lion instructors in cities nationwide for engaging, comprehensive hazardous materials training to help you simplify your responsibilities and maintain compliance with 49 CFR, the IATA DGR, and the IMDG Code.

Catch the Complete Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Workshops near you this summer:
Parsippany, NJ July 8—11
Hartford, CT July 15—18
Atlanta, GA July 30—Aug. 2
Nashville, TN Aug. 5—8
Jacksonville, FL Aug. 13—16
Plus, catch 49 CFR and/or IATA DGR training for hazmat ground and air shippers in Boston, Philadelphia, Williamsburg, Baltimore, Charlotte, and Orlando throughout July.
 

Tags: Canada, digital, hazmat, PHMSA, shipping, Transport Canada

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

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

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

Having the tutorial buttons for additional information was extremely beneficial.

Sharon Ziemek

EHS 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

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 like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

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

Knowing why TSDFs reject loads of hazardous waste—and the exact steps to follow if it happens—can reduce your anxiety and uncertainty about rejection.

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.