Published July 12, 2013 in the Federal Register (FR Vol. 78, No. 134, 41853), the Safety Advisory is issued by the PHMSA of the USDOT in coordination with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration of the USDOT.  Its scope is limited to those persons who heat a rail tank car to prepare its hazardous material contents for unloading or transloading (defined below).  Its purpose is to prevent accidents that occur as a result of the heating of hazardous materials contained in rail tank cars.  To achieve its purpose, this Safety Advisory:

• Provides safety precautions and recommended guidance for persons engaged in heating a hazardous materials in a rail tank car for the purpose of unloading and transloading, and;
• Reminds subject persons of current regulatory requirements for these activities.

(more…)