DOT Continues Hazmat Safety Inspections, Enforcement During Government Shutdown

Like other Federal agencies, US DOT paused most of its activity as of October 1 due to a lack of funding from Congress, i.e., a government shutdown. To protect public safety and minimize the impact of a shutdown on supply chains, however, DOT is continuing to perform many essential safety-related duties during the shutdown.   

DOT has a plan for operating during a lapse in appropriations, which is available online. In addition to details about staffing levels and budgeting, the plan show that DOT will continue to perform duties that play an essential role in public safety, safe transportation of hazardous materials, and supply chain security. 

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These hazmat safety activities will continue despite the shutdown:

• Hazardous materials accident investigations
• Inspections of hazmat shipper, carrier, and testing facilities (and others)
• Hazmat approvals and permits (Emergencies only)
• Payment of emergency preparedness grants
• Enforcement of the HMR, as necessary to address imminent hazards to life and property 

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DOT has stopped these activities as of October 1:

• Development of hazmat standards and rules
• Non-emergency hazmat approvals and permits 
• Hazmat outreach and training grants
• The hazmat registration program and fee collections 
• Certain hazardous materials grants for emergency responders and localities 

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For more details about how DOT plans to weather the shutdown, read the full Plans for Operations During a Lapse in Annual Appropriations... 

Revised Hazmat Regulations On Hold for Now

Services and responsibilities that DOT has been forced to pause as of October 1 include writing and revising hazmat regulations, collecting hazmat registration forms or fees, and issuing hazmat approvals or permits (except in emergency situations).  

With PHMSA blocked from developing or writing regulations, a protracted shutdown could affect the timeline for finalizing a large batch of hazmat rulemakings proposed earlier this year, many of which are intended to simplify regulatory compliance and add flexibility to the HMR for shippers, carriers, packaging manufacturers, and other industry stakeholders.

DOT, IATA, and IMDG Hazmat Training for Shippers 

Develop a step-by-step approach to ship hazardous materials in full compliance with current US and international regulations.The Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification (DOT) online course prepares employees to properly classify, name, package, mark, label, handle, and document hazardous materials shipments in compliance with the 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).

For hazmat air and vessel shippers, Lion offers courses that cover the additional IATA DGR and IMDG Code requirements: 

• Hazmat Air Shipper Certification (IATA) 
• Hazmat Vessel Shipper Certification (IMDG)

Tags: hazmat