The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) wants to amend its Hazardous Materials Regulations to require all railroads to generate information about hazardous materials in rail transportation.
The proposed amendment would require railroads to electronically generate, maintain and provide to first responders, emergency response officials and law enforcement personnel certain information about hazardous materials in rail transportation. This information, officials argue, would enhance emergency response and investigations.
The proposal is in response to a National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendation and statutory requirements in the amended version of The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. Officials argue it also complements existing regulatory requirements about the generation, maintenance, and provision of similar information in hard copy form and other hazard communication requirements.
