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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration

Within the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is responsible for coordinating a national safety program for the transportation of hazardous materials by air, rail, highway, and water. Included in this program is the responsibility for developing and issuing the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) which are contained in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR).

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

Under the direction of the Associate Administrator, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (HMS) is responsible for formulating, issuing, and revising hazardous materials regulations (HMR) and exemptions under the Federal hazardous materials transportation law. The HMR cover hazardous materials definitions and classifications, hazard communications, shipper and carrier operations, and packaging and container specifications. With responsibility for enforcement of regulations, other than those applicable to a single mode of transportation, PHMSA places emphasis on packaging manufacturers, retesters and reconditioners, and multimodal shippers of hazardous materials. PHMSA uses risk management principles to understand, communicate, and reduce dangers inherent in hazardous materials transportation.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STANDARDS

The Office of Hazardous Materials Standards (OHMS) develops and issues amendments to the HMR based on requests received from the general public, industry and other government agencies; congressional mandates; rulemaking proposals from the modal administrations; and PHMSA initiatives. These proposals are evaluated to determine the need for new or amended regulations and to identify and eliminate unnecessary or burdensome regulations. Public participation is essential and is encouraged through the solicitation of comments on rulemaking proposals.

SPECIAL PERMITS AND APPROVALS

The Office of Hazardous Materials Special Permits and Approvals (OHMSPA) has the primary responsibility for issuing DOT Special Permits and Approvals to the HMR. A Special Permit or Approval is a document which authorizes a person to perform a function that is not currently authorized under the authority of the HMR. In many instances, the Regulations require approvals and/or registrations prior to transportation in commerce.

INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT

The Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement (OHME) has six operational units: one headquarters unit and five regional offices. The OHME conducts inspections of packaging manufacturers, certifiers, retesters, and reconditioners to determine compliance with manufacturing and testing requirements. It tests packagings for compliance. The OHME also conducts inspections of shippers to determine compliance with packaging, marking, labeling, and documentation requirements. The OHME provides assistance to, and conducts joint inspections with, other DOT modal administrations, other Federal agencies, and state enforcement agencies. Additionally, the OHME also conducts outreach regarding compliance with the regulations.

INITIATIVES AND TRAINING

Training, outreach, and information dissemination are important responsibilities of the Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training (OHMIT). To promote compliance with the HMR, OHMIT distributes training and information materials to private sector and government personnel. Brochures, charts, publications, training CD-ROMs, videotapes, and other safety-related information are available to the public.

Hazardous materials training is provided to Federal, State, and local enforcement agencies, industry, and emergency response personnel. The major focus is on hazardous materials compliance, enforcement, and emergency response. New emphasis is being placed on PC-based self-study programs through a browser-based modular training series.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety sponsors Multimodals Seminars. These outreach efforts encourage partnerships among agencies, industry, associations, public interest groups, and Native American tribes. Each supports national uniformity of regulations, education, enforcement activities, and the safe transportation of hazardous materials by air, rail, highway, and water. For information call OHMIT at (202) 366-4900.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK (ERG)

PHMSA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and its counterparts in Canada and Mexico publish the ERG which addresses all hazardous materials regulated by DOT along with suggested initial response actions in the event of a hazardous materials incident (spill, explosion, fire, etc.). The ERG is updated periodically to accommodate new technology. It is available from the DOT to first responders—police, fire, and other public safety personnel. The goal is to have an ERG in every emergency response vehicle nationwide. To date, more than seven million copies have been distributed to the emergency response community. The ERG is available in English, Spanish, and French.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY WEBSITE

PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Safety website (http://hazmat.dot.gov) is designed to disseminate information about the agency’s programs and activities and to assist the hazmat community in complying with the HMR. The website is updated monthly to reflect current HMS activities and includes: 49 CFR Parts 100-185, recent rulemakings, special permits, letters of clarification on the HMR, upcoming public meetings and conferences, international activities, frequently requested documents and files, the ERG, Incident Report Form DOT F 5800.1 and instructions, and Registration Program Form DOT F 5800.2.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ASSISTANCE

The Hazardous Materials Safety Assistance Team is available to help businesses find the resources needed to comply with the HMR and to provide technical assistance to Federal, state, and local governments and the private sector. A team member is located at each of PHMSA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety regional offices. For information call OHMIT at (202) 366-4900.

PLANNING AND ANALYSIS

The Office of Hazardous Materials Planning and Analysis (OHMPA) supports PHMSA’s mission activities and identifies emerging, broad-based safety issues with emphasis on a strategic perspective. OHMPA coordinates the development of programmatic plans and accompanying budget documents. The office conducts economic, operational, and benefitcost analyses to yield defensible regulatory and other responses to hazardous materials transportation issues.

The Multimodal HazMat Intelligence Portal (HIP) initiative integrates hazmat inspection, incident, regulation, and penalty data from over 20 disparate Federal data systems to create an intelligence fusion center serving those who protect the U.S. infrastructure from accidental or terrorist-related hazmat releases. OHMPA has operational responsibility for both the Hazardous Materials Registration and Emergency Preparedness Grants Programs.

REGISTRATION AND GRANTS PROGRAMS

The Hazardous Materials Registration Program was established in 1992, as a result of a mandate by the Federal hazardous materials transportation law. Individuals who transport or offer for transportation certain types or quantities of hazardous materials must register annually and pay a fee to DOT. These fees fund emergency planning and training grants to states, territories, and Native American tribes. Emergency planning and training helps communities prepare for hazardous materials emergencies. For registration information call (202) 366-4109. For grants information call (202) 366-0001.

TECHNOLOGY

The Office of Hazardous Materials Technology (OHMT) provides the scientific, engineering, and risk management support for the hazardous materials transportation safety program and the development of domestic and international regulations. OHMT also serves as the focal point for domestic and international radioactive materials transportation operations and standards.

To facilitate hazardous materials transportation risk management, OHMT applies rigorous and systematic approaches to understanding the characteristics of hazardous materials, the health problems caused by exposure, and the technology and management practices that can reduce the probability and consequences of incidents. The office conducts key investigations and research in the areas of classification, packaging, operational controls, testing, quality, risk analysis, and risk management, to provide a sound basis for program operation and regulatory and non-regulatory actions.

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

The Office of International Standards (OIS) represents the United States in international organizations involved in the safe transportation of hazardous materials (dangerous goods) to harmonize domestic and international requirements.

OFFICE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

Associate Administrator
(202) 366-0656

Office of International Standards (OIS)
(202) 366-0656

Office of Hazardous Materials Standards (OHMS)
(202) 366-8553

Office of Hazardous Materials Technology (OHMT)
(202) 366-4545

Office of Hazardous Materials Special Permits and Approvals (OHMSPA)
(202) 366-4511

Office of Hazardous Materials Planning and Analysis (OHMPA)
(202) 366-4484

Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training (OHMIT)
(202) 366-4900

Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement (OHME)
(202) 366-4700

Central
(847) 294-8589

Central
(847) 294-8580

Eastern
(609) 989-2181

Eastern
(609) 989-2256

Southern
(404) 832-1145

Southern
(404) 832-1140

Southwest
(713) 272-2822

Southwest
(713) 272-2820

Western
(909) 937-3279

Western
(909) 937-3279

National Capital Area
(202) 366-8858

Office of Special Investigations
(202) 366-4700

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFO-CENTER

1-800-467-4922
OR
(202) 366-4488

By using our toll-free telephone number, you can obtain hazardous materials transportation information, copies of rulemakings and training materials, or report alleged violations of the HMR. INFO-CENTER specialists are on duty Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern Standard Time. However, you may call anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and leave a message. A specialist will return your call before the end of the next business day.

HAZMAT PUBLICATIONS

Videos, training CDs, publications, and other safety related information are available from PHMSA. To obtain these materials visit our web site:

http://hazmat.dot.gov
E-Mail: training@dot.gov
or Write:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
East Building, PHH-50
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590-0001

(202) 366-4900

PHH50-0109-0209

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