Search

2019 Preview: DOT Hazmat Regulations to Watch

Posted on 10/23/2018 by Roger Marks

The semi-annual Regulatory Agenda for Fall 2018 is out now. This Agenda provides insight into what kind of rulemakings major Federal agencies—including US DOT, FAA, EPA, and OSHA—have planned for the next six months.

Lion Members can check out a full breakdown of the Agenda in the Member Area. 

Below, we’re going to cover a handful of the most impactful new hazmat rules coming in late 2018 and early 2019.

Get your training out of the way, then relax for the holidays. Catch the DOT Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification Workshop in DetroitCincinnatiMilwaukeeClevelandPittsburghSt. Louis, and Chicago before the end of the year!


Proposed Rule: Enhanced Safety Provisions for Lithium Batteries

RIN 2137-AF20

DOT will update its rules for shipping lithium batteries by air by adopting emergency amendments added to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) dangerous goods requirements for air shipments.

The new rules for lithium batteries shipped by air will:
 

  • Prohibit the transport of lithium-ion cells and batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft.
  • Add a requirement that lithium-ion cells and batteries be shipped at 30 percent state-of-charge or less.
  • Limit the use of alternative provisions for small lithium cell or battery shipments to one package per consignment per overpack.
PHMSA will provide limited relief from the passenger aircraft prohibition and the state-of-charge restriction for small lithium-ion batteries transported entirely within Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories. A Final Rule is expected as soon as October 2018.

If you plan to ship lithium batteries big or small in 2019, Lion now offers hazmat training courses designed just for you. Complete the Shipping Lithium Batteries Online Course for full hazmat training to ship lithium batteries by ground, air, or vessel. 

New! Only ship excepted lithium batteries? Now, Lion offers Shipping Excepted Lithium Batteries training to simplify the rules for handling, packaging, marking, and labeling these small lithium batteries. 
 

Final Rule Oil Spill Response Plans and Information Sharing for High-Hazard Flammable Trains

RIN 2137-AF08

Before the end of this year (2018), PHMSA plans to complete its Final Rule to expand the applicability of comprehensive oil spill response plans (OSRP) based on thresholds of liquid petroleum that apply to an entire train. In addition to expanded oil spill notification rules, this DOT Final Rule will require railroads to share information about high-hazard flammable train operations with State and Tribal emergency response authorities.

Under the current Clean Water Act requirements for oil spill response plans, plans are only required when transporting volumes greater than 1,000 barrels or 42,000 gallons per package. Because a rail car carrying crude oil can hold up to 30,000 gallons, railroads are not currently covered under this existing requirement.

Note that this PHMSA rulemaking will not impact the rules for “basic” oil spill response plans, which are already required for containers with a capacity of 3,500 gallons or more.

Learn what you must know to ship hazardous materials by rail. The Hazmat Ground Shipper—Additional Rail Requirements introduces DG professionals to the unique rail shipping requirements sometimes left out of general DOT hazmat training.   
 

Final Rule: Miscellaneous Amendments Pertaining to DOT Specification Cylinders

RIN 2137-AE80

PHMSA plans to amend the HMR to revise certain requirements for the manufacture, use, and requalification of DOT-specification cylinders. This rulemaking action was spurred on by petitions for rulemaking submitted by industry and stakeholder groups.

Among the updates in this forthcoming Final Rule are:
 

  • Incorporating by reference or updating references to several Compressed Gas Association publications.
  • Expanding the use of salvage cylinders.
  • Revising and clarifying the manufacture requirements for cylinders.
  • Revising and clarifying the requalification requirements for cylinders. 
PHMSA believes this Final Rule will be promulgated in February 2019.
 

Other Hazmat Updates Coming Soon

But those aren’t the only rules coming for hazmat shippers. Not even close.
Other new rules coming soon include PHMSA’s response to petitions from industry to modify and clarify regulations (RIN 2137-AF09), a harmonization rulemaking to match DOT hazmat regulations with international standards (RIN 2137-AF32), and the continued conversion of hazmat Special Permits into the text of 49 CFR (RIN 2137-AF34). 
 

Online Hazmat Training

Can’t join us live before the end of the year? No problem!

Complete your hazmat training at Lion.com for a fully-engaged learning experience that drives home critical hazmat topics and always covers the latest regulations. Check out the latest versions of Lion’s popular hazmat online courses:

Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT)

Recurrent Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT)


Hazmat Training for New and Experienced Hazmat Employees

New hazmat employees need a solid grasp of the hazmat regulations and what they must do to help maintain compliance. Every step of the hazmat shipping process is regulated in some way, and even small mistakes can lead to fines now approaching $80,000 per day, per violation.

The Shipping Hazmat by Ground—Ops Online Course provides hazmat general awareness, security awareness, and function-specific training for new or experienced hazmat employees. Personnel who complete this course learn how to comply with the regulations that govern their hazmat-related activities.

Have questions about training your team? Reach out to us at info@Lion.com and we will be happy to provide some clarity on who needs training, what training they need, and how to get it all accomplished.

Tags: batteries, crude, dangerous, goods, hazmat, lithium, new, oil, rules, shipping

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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

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 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

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

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

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 instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.

Jim Jani

Environmental Coordinator

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

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Just starting out with shipping lithium batteries? The four fundamental concepts in this guide are the place to start.

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.