U.S. Department Of Transportation Proposes To Improve Safety For Truckers And Workers Around Hazardous Material Loading And Unloading Operations

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced a proposed rule that would protect the public by improving the safe transfer of hazardous materials to and from cargo tank motor vehicles. The proposed rule would require additional training for employees and new safety requirements for motor carriers and facilities that transfer hazardous materials to and from cargo tank motor vehicles.

"Safety is our top priority, and this rule would help cut the safety risks to workers loading and unloading hazardous materials and to people living near those facilities," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

PHMSA data show that the most dangerous part of transporting hazardous materials by cargo tank motor vehicles occurs when the hazardous material is being transferred by hose or pipe between the holding facility and the truck transporting it. More specifically, the data show that human error and equipment failure also cause the greatest number of incidents during loading and unloading operations, sometimes with tragic consequences.

The notice proposes to add requirements including:

Practice drills and classroom training of truck drivers and other workers who unload or load hazardous material
Training on automatic valve shut down to ensure the systems are in place and that employees know how to use the systems
Developing inspection and maintenance programs to ensure the safety of hoses, valves and other equipment used in loading and unloading.

"Between October and December 2010, five of the six incidents involving death or major injury were related to the loading and unloading of hazardous materials. We believe these proposed changes will increase safety and ultimately reduce the likelihood of catastrophic hazardous material incidents during loading and unloading," said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman.