Search

Former CSX Executive Skip Elliott Confirmed as New PHMSA Administrator

Posted on 10/12/2017 by Roger Marks

The US Senate last week confirmed a new Administrator to head up the US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Howard “Skip” Elliott.  

In his previous role as Vice President of Public Safety, Health, and Environment for CSX Transportation, Mr. Elliott was responsible for environmental operations and compliance, hazardous materials and chemical transport safety, hazardous substance remediation initiatives, and more. He joined CSX as Director of Hazardous Materials in 1998.

Before he took on the role with CSX, Elliott worked as a Director of Hazardous Materials Field Service and Hazardous Materials Systems with Conrail. Elliott is also associated with hazmat safety, transportation, and industrial security organizations like:
  • Association of American Railroads
  • American Society of Industrial Security
  • Association of Global Logistics and Transportation
  • Domestic Security Alliance Council
The President announced Elliott as his pick to head PHMSA in September.  


What Is PHMSA?

PHMSA is an office of the US DOT charged with promoting and ensuring the safety of hazardous materials transported in the US by pipeline, highway, rail, air, and vessel. Under the Hazardous Materials Regulations, or HMR, found at 49 CFR 100–181 et al, PHMSA sets requirements for classifying, naming, packaging, marking, labeling, loading, unloading, and documenting hazmat shipments.

GHS_bulk_hazmat_rail_car.jpgIn addition, PHMSA maintains training requirements for employees involved in preparing and offering hazmat for transport. These “hazmat employees” must complete hazmat training once every three years. [49 CFR 172.704]


PHMSA’s Current Agenda

Administrator Elliott will be asked to use his expertise in the rail transportation sector immediately, as PHMSA works to complete a logjam of rail-related hazmat rulemakings in progress since last year. Among these are oil spill response plans for “High Hazard Flammable Trains,” new rules for measuring volatility of petroleum products shipped by rail, new rail cargo tank standards, and more.


Final Hazmat Training Workshops of 2017

Meet DOT, IATA, and IMDG hazmat training mandates when Lion presents the final Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Certification workshops of 2017. You will learn a step-by-step approach to properly prepare hazmat shipments in full compliance with 49 CFR, the IATA DGR (air), and the IMDG Code (vessel).

Detroit Oct. 30–Nov. 2
Cincinnati Oct. 30–Nov. 2
Pittsburgh Dec. 4–7
Chicago Dec. 11–14

Tags: hazmat, PHMSA, shipping

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

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

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

The instructor clearly enjoys his job and transmits that enthusiasm. He made a dry subject very interesting and fun.

Teresa Arellanes

EHS Manager

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

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

This is the best RCRA training I've experienced! I will be visiting Lion training again.

Cynthia L. Logsdon

Principal Environmental Engineer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Hazardous materials shipment rejections bear a big cost. Use this guide to end operational and logistical disruptions that severely impact your bottom line.

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.