PHMSA Releases Final Rule Revising Hazmat Regs
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive EditorThe Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a final rule amending Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR2). It is effective Dec. 28, 2020.
The final rule, published Nov. 25 in the Federal Register (download available below), is in response 24 petitions by shippers, carriers, manufacturers and industry representatives, which were submitted between February 2015 and March 2018. It “updates, clarifies, or provides relief from various regulatory requirements without adversely affecting safety,” according to PHMSA.
Among the changes:
• “Revising § 173.31 to prohibit the use of tank cars with shells or heads constructed of non-normalized steel in the transportation of poison-by-inhalation hazard (PIH) materials by rail after December 31, 2020.”
According to industry consultancy AllTranstek, LLC: “AAR [Association of American Railroads] issued circular letter CPC-1336 on July 27, 2018, revising the AAR C-III M-1002 which prohibited the use of non-normalized steel tank cars in PIH service after July 1, 2019.”
• “Revising §§ 173.244(a)(2) and 173.314(c) to make the ‘interim’ rail tank car specifications the ‘final’ specifications for the transportation of PIH materials.”
According to AllTranstek: “A DOT 105J600I tank car would now be DOT 105H600W. The marking will be changed at the tank car’s next qualification. Chlorine is required to be shipped in a 105H600W specification tank car (the previous draft had 105H500W).”
• “Revising § 173.31 to prohibit the use of certain rail tank cars for the transportation of PIH materials after December 31, 2027.”
The revision pertains to tank cars “that are not built to the requirements published under HM-246,” according to AllTranstek.
DOWNLOAD PHMSA FINAL RULE:
