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HazMat Penalties Increased

Effective January 11, 2021, US DOT has increased civil penalties for violations of the Hazardous Materials Regulations. This is the annual adjustment for inflation.

DOT PHMSA, FAA, FRA, FMCSA, and other agencies all increased the maximum fines.
Maximum civil penalty for hazmat violation increased from $81,993 to $83,439 per
violation, per day.
Maximum civil penalty for hazmat violation resulting in death, serious illness or severe
injury, or substantial destruction of property increased from $191,316 to $194,691

Training violations increased from $493 to $502 per employee, per day. Hazardous materials training is required once every 3 years according to 49 CFR 172.704.

A copy of the Federal Register notice can be found here.

Christine Holloway-Clare is the Vice President of Safety Specialists, Inc. She has been assisting customers comply with the hazardous materials regulations for over 20 years.

Safety Specialists, Inc. offers a wide range of hazardous materials transportation training and consulting options. Online training is available. Monthly online classes for DOT, IATA and IMDG available. Join one today.

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PHMSA COVID Relief Ending on Oct. 31

Relief that PHMSA provided during this global pandemic are coming to an end on October 31, 2020. PHMSA does not intend to extend these notices but will consider extensions on a case by case basis. This relief includes but not limited to:

  • Recurrent training
  • Shipping papers and social distancing
  • Transportation of hand sanitizers

All of the notices are posted here. https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/news/assistance-public-during-covid-19

If you are need of recurrent training, please let us know. We are conducting training online via recorded training or instructor led webinars. We can be reached at 704-573-0955 or by email hello@hazmathelp.com.

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2021 IATA DGR CHANGES

This is my favorite time of the year. No, it is not the cooler temperatures, the changing of the leaves or even the pumpkin spice… well, everything. It is my favorite new of the year due to all of the new dangerous goods regulations. Nothing beats opening the cover of a new set of regulations! And this year, we have the annual release IATA and the 49 CFR but we also have the IMDG, ICAO and more as well.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will be releasing the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) in October. The IATA manual is used by shippers who transport dangerous goods by air. The IATA will become effective January 1, 2021.

Highlights of the IATA changes are:

  • List of Dangerous Goods updates and additions as well as special provision changes
  • Corrosives have revised packing group criteria
  • 26 Packing Instructions have been revised and one has been renumbered to align with the UN.
  • Size for UN specification markings on packagings has been clarified
  • Revision to the filling capacity of metal aerosols
  • Clarification to the height of the identification numbers markings on packages
  • Documentation of multiple overpacks on the Shipper’s Declaration has been revised
  • Competency-based approach to training
  • Lithium battery updates – revisions to Special Provisions, Packing Instructions, as well as the lithium battery handling mark has occurred

See IATA’s summary of significant changes here.

It is important to keep up with the changing regulations. If you don’t delays and frustrated shipments can occur.

In the next several weeks leading up to 2021, we will cover specific changes to the dangerous goods regulations.

Stay safe!

Christine Holloway-Clare is the Vice President of Safety Specialists, Inc. She has been assisting customers comply with the hazardous materials regulations for over 20 years.

Safety Specialists, Inc. offers a wide range of hazardous materials transportation training and consulting options. Online training is available. Monthly online classes for DOT, IATA and IMDG available. Join one today.