A good question from someone looking to classify a hazardous material (April 4, 2017): Hello, Was wondering if you could answer this question. How do you choose whether a material mixture should be called “Flammable liquid corrosive n.o.s.” or “Corrosive…
Q&A: What can we do with empty oil drums?
A question from someone in industry about empty oil drums (April 18, 2017): Hello my name is <<Name>> and I work for <<Company>>, I have a simple question we use 55 gallon metal and plastic drums to contain our oil…
Q&A: Are placards necessary when transporting diesel fuel in equipment?
A question from someone I have never done business with but who found me (04.07.17): Our company is going to be transporting in a dry van, some equipment, It runs on diesel fuel. Are DOT placards necessary if they drain…
FAQ: What is the AHJ?
AHJ is an acronym used by USEPA for the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) over the fire code of a particular area. Adopted by the USEPA for use in the Generator Improvements Rule’s revision to the 50 Foot Rule, it was…
The Fifty Foot Rule Revised by the Generator Improvements Rule
The Generator Improvements Rule went into effect on May 30, 2017. “Into effect” however, only in the federal regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and those states without an authorized hazardous waste program (read: What is the status…
Q&A: Can I store drums of hazardous waste with non-hazardous waste?
An assumption, some research and a question (02.21.17): Hi Daniel, I always thought that RCRA Hazardous waste regulations require hazardous waste drums not be stored with non-hazardous waste drums. However, I scanned through 40 CFR and don’t see where it…
FAQ: What does PHMSA/USDOT consider a “strong outer packaging”?
Most shipments of hazardous materials subject to PHMSA/USDOT regulations require the use of a specification packaging. There are two types of specification packaging recognized by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR): UN Standard (aka: performance oriented packaging). Used for all non-bulk…
Summary of Significant Changes to the 2016 Edition of the IMDG Code
The international transportation of a dangerous good by vessel – over water – is subject to the dangerous goods code of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). What is the IMO? What is the IMDG Code? The IMDG Code is published…
The General Requirements for Packagings and Packages in the Hazardous Materials Regulations
All shipments of a hazardous material (HazMat) must comply with the regulations of 49 CFR 173.24 known as the General Packing Requirements. Therefore, if you are the shipper of a HazMat – even one subject to an exception from regulation…
Q&A: Can I use the Dangerous placard for these shipments of HazMat?
A question from someone in the regulated community (03.07.17): Dear Mr. Stoehr, I am a dispatcher for an LTL freight company, and I get frequent questions from drivers about using dangerous placards. I found your article online titled “When not…