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Dec 2, 2008 1:31 PM

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is revising the current requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations to require rail carriers to compile annual data on certain shipments of explosive, toxic by inhalation, and radioactive materials, according to information published in the Federal Register November 26.

The final rule (49 CFR Parts 172, 174 and 209) also will require the railroads to use the data to analyze safety and security risks along rail routes where those materials are transported; assess alternative routing options; and make routing decisions based on those assessments.

PHMSA also is clarifying rail carriers' responsibility to address in their security plans issues related to en route storage and delays in transit. In addition, the agency is adopting a new requirement for rail carriers to inspect placarded hazardous materials rail cars for signs of tampering or the presence of suspicious items, including improvised explosive devices.

More information is available by clicking here for the Federal Register.