PHMSA - Organization - Office of Hazardous Materials Safety

Office of Hazardous Materials Safety

Carries out a national safety program, including security matters, to protect against the risks to life and property inherent in the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce (other than bulk transportation onboard vessels).

U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
East Building, 2nd Floor
Mail Stop: E21-317
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590

Email: phmsa.hmhazmatsafety@dot.gov

202-366-0656

202-366-5713 (Fax)

Organizational Structure & Phone Contacts

The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety

Develops, processes, proposes, and recommends regulations governing the safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials by railroad, highway vehicle, aircraft, or vessel (except bulk transportation of hazardous materials loaded or carried aboard vessels without benefit of containers or labels and received and handled by vessels without mark or count and ships' stores and supplies).
Develops regulatory policy and initiatives, researches, analyzes, and documents social, economic, technological, environmental, safety, and security impacts, upon existing/proposed regulatory, legislative, or program activities involving hazardous materials transportation.
Conducts public hearings on proposed issuances, modifications, or revocations of regulations and maintains a public docket system for all matters involving hazardous materials regulatory actions. Submits appropriate regulatory documents to the Federal Register. Responds to requests for interpretations of the hazardous materials transportation regulations. Develops and issues responses to requests for inconsistency rulings and non-preemption determinations under Section 5125 of Title 49 U.S. Code.
Supports the operation of, and coordinates with, the United States Coast Guard on the National Response Center. In coordination with the DOT Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response, serves as a DOT liaison with the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency on hazardous materials transportation matters.
Provides technical assistance and support relative to hazardous materials transportation safety and security to state and local governments in their efforts to enhance public safety and in order to avoid or resolve conflicts between different levels of Government.
Gather, process, and analyze incident and operations data from carriers transporting hazardous materials by rail, highway, air, and water (packaged materials only), and manufacturers of hazardous materials containers.
Focal point for activities related to the implementation of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.