Archive for News
DG Digest: FDA Actions on Lithium Batteries, EPA on Subsurface Intrusion, and Brazil to Adopt UMR
Greetings, everyone. The first complete new week of the New Year was categorized by relatively limited regulatory action, perhaps as everyone got back from the holiday and prepared to launch into the swing of things. Nevertheless, here are the items of note: FDA Lithium batteries continue their long reach into the affairs of the regulatory... Read more [...]
DG Digest: EPA Updates RMP to Reduce Accidents and Updates on Drug & Alcohol Testing from FRA/FMCSA
Happy New Year! I’m sure I speak for the entire Labelmaster family when I express our hope that you will enjoy a safe, happy, and prosperous 2017. Today’s digest covers the last two weeks of the year just concluded. Although activity was minimal, a number of issues worth noting occurred over the holiday period, so... Read more [...]
DG Digest: PHMSA Issues Safey Advisory for DOT-39 Cylinders and IATA Issues Revised 2017 Guidance for Lithium Batteries
It’s the countdown-to-the-holiday week! However you may or may not choose to celebrate the coming holiday period, I know that I speak for the entire Labelmaster family in expressing the hope that you are able to do so in peace, and surrounded by your friends and loved ones. We also thank you so very much... Read more [...]
Hazmat regulations, security seals and humor—our top 10 posts of 2016
Dangerous Goods professionals apparently need two things from a blog. First and foremost: clear, detailed information about hazmat regulations and practices. Second: a good laugh. Our top ten posts of 2016—measured by page views, search requests and social media shares—reflect these needs. Readers devoured posts on new ICAO and IATA regulations, and found articles about... Read more [...]
A Letter from Bangkok on the 109th Meeting of the IATA Dangerous Goods Board
A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. – John A. Shedd (Salt from My Attic, 1928) A not so old adage that captures the balance between safety and action. A 21st century version might be “An airplane is safe in its hangar, but that’s not what…
DG Digest: EPA on e-Manifests for Haz Waste, Also Proposes Ban on TCE, and a BIG FMCSA Overhaul
It’s the last full week of autumn on the calendar, even though winter has made itself known across most of the country. Things slowed a little on the regulatory front, but still important news to think about. Let’s take a look: EPA One big change on the horizon is the coming use of electronic manifests…
The Hazmat Holiday Gift Guide for last-minute shoppers
You’re a busy hazmat professional. Who has time to shop for holiday gifts? Fortunately, you’re a hazmat professional. Some of the stuff you see and use every day can, with a little imagination, make clever gifts for just about anyone on your list. Plus you have access to the toughest, most durable packaging anywhere. This…
DG Digest: FMCSA’s Clearinghouse Database, FRA Issues Safety Advisory, and PHMSA Seeks Feedback on HMR Harmonization
Welcome to December! The last month of the year finds us launching into busy holiday preparations and also finds an extra busy past week when it comes to regulatory activity. Let’s see what happened out there: FMCSA The agency announced its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to extend an existing... Read more [...]
DG Digest: EPA Hazwaste Revisions, FRA Issues Safety Advisory, and PHMSA Special Permit Activity Spikes
Welcome back everyone! Hopefully your Thanksgiving holiday was peaceful and fulfilling. With the shortened holiday week things were a little bit slow in the regulatory world, however even so there were several items of note. Let’s take a look: U.S. EPA The agency has published a significant revision to the hazardous waste rules that govern... Read more [...]
DG Digest: Global DG Updates, EPA Chief on Safer Choice Labeling, and OSHA to Tighten Fall Prevention Rules
It’s the week of the US Thanksgiving holiday, and the Labelmaster staff and family would like to wish our customers and our much appreciated blog readership a safe and happy holiday this Thursday! Despite the coming holidays last week turned out to be a big one in the regulatory world, with several announcements of note,... Read more [...]
DG Digest: new safety database proposed, California hazmat rail dispute, and some cargo tanks are out of compliance
Mid-month finds the regulatory beat slowing a bit, perhaps in anticipation of the looming holiday season—however we’re on top of the news that did hit the street last week, and here it is: Consumer Products Safety Commission Retail manufacturer’s alert: household goods not classified by OSHA or PHMSA that may nevertheless contain harmful substances are... Read more [...]
DG Digest: a U.S. Appellate court clears the way for driver electronic log books and possible Supreme Court showdown
Just in case you got to work an hour early this morning, remember—we “fell back” an hour. On the good news side, it gives you plenty of time to catch up on the latest and greatest in the world of regulations. With Tuesday’s general election looming, the last week saw relatively limited action as the... Read more [...]
8 ways to prevent reverse logistics headaches this holiday season
If you’re a Dangerous Goods specialist at a retailer that ships electronics, you’re probably more nervous this holiday season than a 3rd-string quarterback on 4th-and-20. And it’s all due to four words: Lithium batteries. Reverse logistics. We really don’t need to say any more about the headaches lithium batteries have caused shippers over the last... Read more [...]
DG Digest: Injunction Halts Hazmat Tax, Joint PHMSA/OSHA Public Meetings Announced, and a Busy Week at the EPA
Happy Halloween everyone! Make it a safe and memorable family holiday. Let’s get to this week’s issue of “treats” in the world of Dangerous Goods. Rail Tax News Hazmat shippers by rail to, from, or through the State of California are breathing a sigh of at least temporary relief after a Federal Court issued an... Read more [...]
Top 10 hazmat products for your last-minute Halloween party
Halloween is just three days away, and if you don’t have your costume or decorations yet, this is (in the immortal words of Woody from Toy Story) the perfect time to panic. But fear not! You’re a Dangerous Goods professional, with access to some of the coolest, edgiest, scariest costume-making and office-decorating material anywhere. You…
Infographic | New IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for 2017
Year after year, no transport mode sees more Dangerous Goods regulatory changes than air transport. That’s why it’s essential to have a complete grasp of each year’s changes as soon as possible—and why now is the time to order your copy of the 58th Edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Here’s a preview of…
DG Digest: FMCSA to Help Recent Vets Transition, PHMSA Weighs In on Small Package Labels & Much More Inside!
Happy Monday, all! Are your Halloween preps nearly finished? Only a week to go! Speaking of weeks; last week’s DG Digest gave pride of place to our brand new edition of the Dangerous Goods Report, so, this week, we’ll take a look at what the last two weeks of activity have brought to the forefront…
Dangerous Goods Report | Vol. 7
Summary: HM-215: Are you ready for the border patrol? If you ship Dangerous Goods, don’t let new border measurement regulations for labels and placards catch you unprepared. Ship damaged batteries in a fiberboard box? Yes, you can! Just in time for the largest cell phone recall ever—new Special Permit Packaging makes reverse logistics easier and…
How did Dangerous Goods pros respond to our annual survey?
The answers may reassure you. Since August, we’ve been asking hazmat heroes like you all about their jobs, their lives, their concerns and their opinions. Many of you took our online poll, and many more answered these questions at the 2016 Dangerous Goods Symposium, September 7–9 in Chicago. As usual, your answers were unpredictable—and…
Competency Based Training — The Path to DG Workforce Performance
At the recent Labelmaster Dangerous Goods Symposium (DGS) , Teun Muller, the Panel member nominated by The Netherlands to the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel provided an enlightening presentation on Competency Based Training. He noted that the goal of competency-based training and assessment is to produce a competent workforce by providing focused training directly related to... Read more [...]
DG Digest: FMCSA Reviewing Testing Delays, OSHA Responds to President’s Executive Order, and FRA Issues Follow-up to its Emergency Repair Order
As October deepens and the fall season and the coming holidays approach, the regulatory world continues its usual busy schedule. If you aren’t busy raking leaves yet, take a few moments to check out the latest and greatest: FMCSA The agency released a new rule consolidating a variety of amendments and corrections to the FMCSR. ... Read more [...]
Infographic | Unpacking the Mysteries of DG Packaging
Why is hazmat packaging so complex? And how do you get it right? Read on to learn what regulations govern Dangerous Goods packaging and how to interpret them. A packaging partner with deep expertise can help you think “inside the box,” and keep your shipments safe and compliant. What seems like a simple objective—ensuring the…
DG Digest: EPA SmartWay Winners, OSHA Wants YOU!, and Jeanne Zmich Honored on HCB Live!
If you keep track of such things, October 1st is the beginning of the new fiscal year for the federal government, and also the close date for many of the agencies that publish to the federal register. As such, October is often an active month for changes. Let’s jump into last week’s action: TSA Every…
DG Digest: FedEx LiBat Changes, Samsung Recall Woes Grow, and EPA Settles with Major Grocery Chain
We begin the last week of September and the first full week of the autumn season with interesting news on the ever changing Lithium Battery front as well as activity by both the FRA and EPA on several fronts. Let’s get right to it: IATA/FedEx Lithium Battery Changes With big changes already planned (again) for…
Infographic | Extremely Dangerous: Confidence is in Short Supply
DG/hazmat shipping compliance is critical to the supply chain, but organizations often lack the infrastructure to keep pace with today’s changing compliance and risk mitigation landscape. TRUTH IN NUMBERS According to a Labelmaster Industry Compliance Confidence Survey, a large number of companies are not confident in their ability to be consistently compliant across their entire... Read more [...]
18 fun facts you didn’t know about trucks, truckers and trucking
In honor of National Truck Drivers Appreciation Week, here are a few fun facts you probably never knew about the people and machines who keep our economy moving: Trucks carry 73% of cargo (by weight) in the US. Of the 4 million shipments of Dangerous Goods every day, 94% are carried by trucks. Alexander Winton…
Lithium battery discussion heats up Dangerous Goods Symposium Day 3
Sorry for the terrible choice of words. But when you’ve convened the world’s foremost experts in lithium battery shipping the same week the world’s largest smartphone maker recalls millions of units due to battery issues, it’s all we can do to not call the session “explosive.” Okay, we’re done now. Friday morning’s lithium battery panel... Read more [...]
DG Digest: FMCSA Proposes Speed Limiting Devices, PHMSA May Update HMT, and China Takes Measures to Hault Zika Spread from U.S.
Together we marked the somber fifteenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks in the week just concluded. I hope that everyone had an opportunity to consider the impact to our nation of so terrible an event, and what it has meant to us as we have moved forward in to too often troubled times. Let... Read more [...]
DG Symposium Day 1 leaves ’em wanting s’more
The world’s foremost Dangerous Goods professionals met today in Chicago to discuss the serious business of hazmat transport, and by 1:00 in the afternoon the place had the atmosphere of a campfire. Well, okay, there was no actual campfire. (What would OSHA say?) But there were s’mores on the tables—and, more important, there was storytelling. Because…
DG Symposium Day 2—live observations from LabelmasterFest!
This post comes to you fresh from the terrace of the stunning Loews Chicago Hotel. It’s LabelmasterFest, where more than 200 of the world’s foremost Dangerous Goods practitioners are enjoying a gorgeous evening with dinner, drinks and interactive, DG-related games. Way back this morning, Labelmaster VP of Marketing Rob Finn kicked the day off with fun facts... Read more [...]
Shipping damaged lithium batteries? Say hello to Special Permit Packaging!
Of all the headaches associated with shipping lithium batteries, the most acute of them might be return shipments of damaged or defective cells/batteries, or the equipment containing them. If that headache sounds familiar, we now have your ibuprofen. Based on a special permit from the U.S. Department of Transportation that grants relief from 49 CFR…
DG Digest: PHMSA’s Busy Week, U.S. Coast Guard’s New Rule on Jettisoning Cargo, and More LiOn Battery Woes
I hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day holiday safely—and that the summer it capped was a good one for you. The surprisingly busy regulatory week leading up to the break featured significant new announcements, so let’s get right to it! US Coast Guard The Coast Guard’s Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee will hold a series of... Read more [...]
Hazmat tax? California’s new levy on local rail carriers draws ire (and lawsuits)
Ever since the Lac Megantic derailment disaster in 2013, North American rail carriers have been engaged in a running administrative battle with assorted local municipalities that have tried, so far without success, to impose local taxes or fees on the carriage of dangerous goods over the railroads that pass through their communities. This is an…
One week until the 2016 Dangerous Goods Symposium. Watch last year’s video!
You have to be here,” says one of last year’s attendees. “You absolutely have to be here.” “Here” is the Dangerous Goods Symposium, the world’s foremost gathering of professionals from every corner of the Dangerous Goods galaxy. Shippers, trainers and regulators get together every fall to attend information-packed sessions, catch up on the latest news,... Read more [...]
DG Digest: Chemical Safety Board Issues Alert, EPA Settles with Harley-Davidson, and FAA OK’s Special Conditions for the Boeing 737-8
Ready for another week? Although August can be a slow month in the regulatory world as much of Washington, DC takes time to avoid the sticky heat and humidity in the nation’s capitol, this week was nevertheless quite busy. Here’s all the latest and greatest: Chemical Safety The US Chemical Safety Board has issued a... Read more [...]
DG Digest: PHMSA Seeks Comments on Radioactive Material, EPA Focusing on Reverse Logistics, and IATA Releases Changes to the 58th Edition of the DGR