Mark your calendars: International Sites and Spills Expo

The International Sites and Spills Expo — Cleaning Up Your World, the first event of its kind to combine hazardous materials management and site remediation with the common threads of cleanup and sustainability, will be November 3-4, 2011 at the International Centre, near Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

On November 2, the day before the event, the expo will hold two workshops from 1-4 p.m. One workshop will focus on HazMat response training, and the other will focus on Phase I Site Condition Requirements. The workshops are available for $149 each.

For more information about the expo, click here.

Viking is Growing!

We have just acquired an additional 63,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing space in Tulsa’s Port of Catoosa. We now have three Tulsa locations and a total of over 120,000 square feet of space as well as over 10 acres of outside storage capacity. With our addition, we have also added 4 overhead cranes and another half dozen pieces of heavy equipment for handling your goods.

This capacity gives us exciting new service capabilities in addition to crating. We are able to dedicate inside and outside storage managed by our people for your convenience. Call for details: (800) 788-8525.

New Hazmat Requirements

HazMat Air Transport Requirements Amended

Final rule HM-228, published in March 2006, was issued to clarify applicability of Part 175 of 49CFR, clarify the exceptions from regulations for aircraft related items, revise separation distances for radioactive packages by cargo aircraft, and update regulations to comply with security requirements for explosive special permits. To learn more about HM-228, click here.

PHMSA Revises HAZMAT Civil & Criminal Penalties

Maximum civil penalties have been changed from $32,500 to $50,000 and $100,000 for a knowing violation. The maximum criminal penalties have changed from 5 years of prison time to 10 years. It’s a minimum $450 when violations are related to training. To learn more about penalties, click here. If you need to schedule HAZMAT training, call us at 800-788-8525 to set up a class.

International Standards and HMR To Possibly Consolidate

PHMSA is proposing to amend the HAZMAT Regulations by providing a user-friendly format to promote understanding of the conditions and limitations on the use of international standards and regulations. To learn about HM-215F, click here.

Shipping Paper Retention Requirements Changed

PHMSA has changed the retention period for HAZMAT shipping papers to 375 days after material is accepted by initial carrier. Each carrier must retain a copy of the shipping papers for the same amount of time. Shippers and carriers of HAZMAT waste continue to retain shipping papers for 3 years. To learn more about HM-240, click here.

Exemptions To Be Replaced With Special Permits

PHMSA has changed the definition of exemption to special permit in final rule HM-240. Current exemptions will be effective until they expire, are terminated, or become due for renewal. To learn more about HM-240, click here.

HAZMAT Employer And HAZMAT Employee Definitions Changed

PHMSA has changed the definition of HAZMAT employer and HAZMAT employee as defined in the HMR. The definitions are now to include self-employed individuals, any person that represents, marks, certifies, or sells packaging components as qualified for use in transporting HAZMAT in commerce. These definitions will also include railroad maintenance-of-way employees and railroad signalmen. To learn more about HM-240, click here. If you need HAZMAT training, call us at 800-788-8525 to find out how to schedule a class.