Hazardous Materials: Reducing the Risk of Hazardous Materials Incidents during Loading and Unloading Operations

As part of PHMSA's efforts to review bulk loading and unloading of hazardous materials and to develop risk reduction strategies, the agency invites interested persons to participate in a public workshop that will examine industry data, identify industry best practices and standards, discuss the role of recommended practices for loading and unloading, and consider industry actions that have the potential to reduce risk during loading and unloading.

A recent PHMSA review of bulk loading and unloading incidents over the past decade suggests roughly one quarter to one half of overall hazardous materials transportation incidents may be attributable to loading and unloading operations, particularly bulk packages. We also note that a significant proportion of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hazardous materials accident reports over this period address safety concerns regarding bulk loading or unloading operations.

The meeting will be held at Lowe's L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC, 20024. For information on the facilities or to request special accommodations at the meeting, please contact Mr. Rick Boyle by telephone: (202) 366-4545 or e-mail: rick.boyle@dot.gov as soon as possible.

• Web site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
• Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
• Hand Delivery: West Building, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

In order to successfully employ an enterprise approach to examine the risks associated with the loading and unloading of bulk quantities of hazardous materials, PHMSA seeks to offer all workshop participants and interested parties the opportunity to provide their response to any or all of the following issues.

1. What do you believe are the most serious safety risks associated with the loading and unloading of bulk quantities of hazardous materials?
2. What actions has your company or association taken to address these safety risks?
3. Would standardized operating instructions, such as those proposed for discussion at this workshop, improve the safety of loading and unloading operations?
4. What initiatives or programs should PHMSA or other federal agencies undertake as part of their program to reduce the risk associated with the loading and unloading of bulk quantities of hazardous materials?

PHMSA will review the comments and post them within 24 hours, provided they are not impolite, off-topic, or advertisements. All posted comments will be placed in the docket after the workshop and may serve as a topic for discussion at the workshop.