Assistance to the Public During COVID-19

Friday, March 27, 2020

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) remains fully operational and ready to assist the American public. PHMSA will continue to be on duty and available for its stakeholders and government partners during the current COVID-19 national public health emergency.

During this emergency, PHMSA reminds it stakeholders that many of its employees have been asked to work from home for their safety and the safety of their families until the emergency declaration is lifted. Until employees can return to their normal duty stations, PHMSA asks stakeholders to utilize electronic methods for submitting requests from staff, in lieu of sending hard copies of correspondence and other mail directly to its offices.

The “Related Documents” section of this page provides a consolidated list of group email addresses, followed by a brief description of the available support each email group provides (e.g. cylinder requalification approvals, special permit applications, regulatory petitions, interpretation requests, etc.).

The following tables provide a variety of documents issued by PHMSA to assist pipeline operators and hazardous materials stakeholders in their day-to-day operations during this public health emergency. The PHMSA Portal also remains as an available electronic resource, and is strongly recommended for continued use by stakeholders to submit Special Permit and Approval renewal applications.

Hazardous Materials

ACTION	DATE
PHMSA Notice of Reinstatement and Extension of Enforcement Policy Regarding Hand Sanitizers	Dec. 7, 2020
PHMSA Notice of Enforcement Policy Regarding Hazardous Materials Training Requirements for Maritime Workers	Oct. 30, 2020
Notice of Administrative Discretion and Guidance for Renewal of RIN Approvals During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency	Sept. 28, 2020
Notice of Extension of Enforcement Discretion for the Transport of Certain Sanitizing and Disinfecting Products	July 9, 2020
Notice of Extension of Relief for Cargo Tank Motor Vehicles and Portable Tanks in the State of Alaska	July 9, 2020
Notice of Extension of Enforcement Discretion for the Manufacturing of Packaging Designs Beyond Periodic Retesting Dates	July 9, 2020
Notice of Extension of Enforcement Discretion for Cylinders Exceeding Periodic Testing Dates	July 2, 2020
Notice of Extension of Enforcement Discretion Regarding Hazardous Materials Training Requirements	June 24, 2020
Notice of Extension of Temporary Policy for the Transport of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand-Sanitizers	June 24, 2020
Safety Advisory for the Transportation of COVID-19 Diagnostic Samples	June 19, 2020
Enforcement Discretion Notice for Cargo Tank Motor Vehicles and Portable Tanks in the State of Alaska	May 8, 2020
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions	May 1, 2020
Guidance for the Safe Packaging and Transportation of COVID-19 Materials	April 28, 2020
Notice of Enforcement Discretion for Sanitizing and Disinfecting Products	April 20, 2020
Notice of Enforcement Discretion for the Manufacturing of Packaging Designs Beyond Periodic Retesting Dates	April 20, 2020
Notice on HAZMAT Shipping Paper Requirements and Social Distancing	April 10, 2020
Revised Temporary Relief Notice for Companies Transporting Hand Sanitizer by Highway	April 10, 2020
Notice of Enforcement Discretion for Cylinders	April 7, 2020
COVID-19 Emergency Special Permits	April 1, 2020
Enforcement Policy Notice Regarding Hazardous Materials Training	March 25, 2020

Pipeline Safety

ACTION	DATE
Deferral of Late Fee Charges for Pipeline and Underground Natural Gas Storage Operators	May 29, 2020
Notice of Enforcement Discretion for Gas Pipeline Operators	April 22, 2020
Stay of Enforcement for Pipeline Operators Due to COVID-19 Outbreak	March 20, 2020
Guidance to State Pipeline Safety Programs Regarding COVID-19	March 19, 2020

For additional information on PHMSA's operations during the COVID-19 public health emergency, please contact its public affairs team.

Last updated June 24, 2020.