COSTHA Conference - Savannah, GA
    May 2014
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Attendance at this year's conference was surprising considering the state of the economy.  Among the great turn out was "The House of PHMSA" (Regulators from Washington, D.C). They attended live and in person for the full length of the conference.
 
On the first day we were enlightened and educated on the full impact of what is going on in the Dakotas.  The transport of extracted crude oil from fracking activities is up to 1 million barrels a day. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is struggling to keep up with the enforcement of the entire supply chain. 
  

 

From the hazard classification for transport issues, to the decaying rail infrastructure, the tank cars cannot move the (highly flammable) crude oil to the refineries fast enough.  
 
Incidents and accidents are up 70% 
as compared to 5 years ago. Both Canada TDG and U.S. DOT enforcement agencies are working to train agents to reinforce and reduce safety violations.
 
One of the FRA Managing Agent Representatives quoted "It's like the "Wild, Wild West". There are too many NON-Supervised man camps, drinking, gambling and consolidated mass confusion. Employment in this region is the best in the 48 states. Sounds like a lot of folks having fun!! 
 
 
 
DOT / PHMSA is busy reviewing more than 1,500 Special Permits, re-organizing, reviewing applications and modifying existing Special Permits. Current backlog for new applications is more than 180 days; current review of renewal applications is more than 100 days. DOT PHMSA is re-evaluating work load assignments.

Additionally.....
Sources at the conference also confirmed the FAA (Federal Aviation Agency) is busy with enforcement.  Last year there were 1,430 aviation incidents reported using the D.O.T.  5800.1 forms. Most of these came from FedEx and UPS.  One-third of incidents involved flammable liquids.  

Almost all of these incidents point back to problems with shippers.  FAA is considering a task force program to help identify problem shippers. If you are shipping dangerous goods, make sure you and your staff are properly trained and are following procedures.
 
And finally.....

Lithium batteries continue to be in the headlines.  New labels are being discussed for future consideration by the UN Committee of Experts for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods.  We could / may see these as soon as 2016.

 

Click here to view the possible new labels. 

 

In conclusion.....
I enjoyed attending the COSTHA Conference  again this year as it continues to be beneficial. And I recommend it to those who are able to attend.  The 2015 conference is scheduled to be held in San Diego, CA. 
 
Sincerely, 
John Gerrish 
Airpack, Inc. and 
John Gerrish & Associates, LLC 
red divider line 
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