Index of Files
- November
1 2002
If you are a scuba diver, you better check this:
RSPA-2002-11270 (Notice No. 02-8); TITLE: "Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Stamping of DOT specification Compressed Gas Cylinders"; Safety advisory notice; Published 10/10/2002; 67 FR 63191.
SUMMARY: This is to notify the public that RSPA has documented the unauthorized stamping of indentations in the side walls of high- pressure compressed gas cylinders by Blue Water Divers (Blue Water), Ltd., Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The cylinders are being used in the SCUBA industry. An undetermined number of the SCUBA cylinders or ``dive tanks'' owned by Blue Water Divers were stamped with month and year markings in the side walls of the cylinders. RSPA has determined that some of the cylinders may have been sold to individuals or U.S. companies and possibly are being used for transportation of hazardous materials in commerce in the U.S. All cylinders observed were DOT 3AL aluminum cylinders, but other cylinder types may be involved.
The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) specifically prohibit stamping in the side wall of compressed gas cylinders, except DOT 3E cylinders, because doing so could compromise the structural integrity of the cylinder. The HMR prohibit the charging or filling of DOT specification or exemption cylinders with compressed gas or other hazardous materials and the offering for transportation of cylinders with markings stamped in the side walls. Furthermore, the HMR prohibit hydrostatic retesting and the return to service of cylinders that have been stamped on the side wall of the cylinder. Any cylinders that are marked on the side wall should be condemned in accordance with the HMR. Serious personal injury, death, or property damage could result from rupture of a cylinder.
For more information go to http://hazmat.dot.gov/rules/67fr-63191.htm
- October
12 2002 --->
Looking for a Job? The DGAC has hazmat job openings. See the DGAC website at http://www.dgac.org/
- September 3, 2002
No! We have not forgotten!
http://attacked911.tripod.com
- July 24, 2002
Oxygen Generators:
It's hard to believe that some airline employees still do not know that both new and used oxygen generators are forbidden aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. In the U.S.A. oxygen generators cannot be shipped even on an all-cargo aircraft without a U.S. D.O.T. Approval. Since 28 January 2002 the U.S. FAA has proposed four fines totaling $640,000.00 against three carriers for violating hazardous materials safety requirements for transporting oxygen generators. Similar fines have been issued every year since 1976. Airline mechanics and maintenance stockroom clerks should be considered "hazmat employees" and properly trained in order to prevent these violations. After all, they are most frequently the employees that cause those generators to be shipped either for repair or as replacements.On May 11, 1976, ValuJet Flt. 592 crashed in the Florida Everglades killing 110 people. The cause: improperly packaged, marked, labeled, and documented oxygen generators improperly handled by untrained personnel causing an intense fire in the forward baggage compartment that resulted in the tragic crash. Click here for a direct link to the FAA's press releases concerning airline safety:
http://www.faa.gov/apa/pr/safety/index.cfm Click here for background information and the Memorial for the passengers and crew on Flight 592:http://www.flight592.com/
- April 12, 2002
Batteries continue to be a problem in air freight. For backgound information about batteries you can use the search feature on the left side of this page. Just type the word batteries and the search engine will do the rest. If you sell, ship, or carry lithium batteries on board an aircraft you should read the following proposal by the Research and Special Programs Administration of the U.S. D.O.T. The proposal intends to harmonize with the revised ICAO Regulations concerning the exceptions for small lithium batteries and cells.
- February 16, 2002
View this emotionally moving Flash Tribute dedicated to the people who lost their lives and to all the heroes who responded to 911. - From a resident of New York to all Americans. http://www.oldcity.com/wtc.html
- January 21, 2002
Air carriers and freight forwarders are reminded that they are obligated to inspect each package that is tendered to them. They should not accept a hazardous materials shipment "subject to inspection". The shipment must be inspected at the time it is presented (offered) to the transportation company, and each time it is transferred to subsequent carriers.
- December 10, 2001
The 43rd Edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations go into effect at 12:01 AM on 1 January 2002.During this Holiday Season please be patient as you encounter new security measures on all airlines, railroads, and busses. Pray for Peace, Happy Holidays, God Bless America.
- October 13, 2001
People from around the world who stopped to care..... Please turn on your computer's speakers and go to the following link - http://user.icx.net/~jimloy/usa/thank_you.htm
Please pray for the families of the victims ofthese terrible tragedies in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. God Bless America.
- September 30, 2001
Innocent citizens from more than 80 countries, and just about every religion imaginable, were killed on 11 September 2001. Like so many other high schools and colleges throughout the world, our own high school Alma Mater, Power Memorial Academy of New York City, lost brave alumni in the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. We will be honoring the fallen heroes and innocent victims at the reunion for all PMA Alumni. Former Power Students please note - 2001 Power Memorial Academy Reunion
Friday, October 19, 2001
Seventh Regiment Armory
643 Park Avenue (between E. 66-67 Sts.)
New York City Reservations are required.
For those Alumni that have lost touch, please check out the following websites:
http://powermemorialacademy.com/
http://www.powermemorialacademy.8m.com/ Pray for the children of the victims in the World Trade Center terrorist attack.
- August 1, 2001
Check your knowledge of the Dangerous Goods Regulations. Take the quiz in our August Newsletter. The quiz is slanted towards shipments into, out of, and transiting the U.S. Check the answers at the end of the Newsletter. No cheating! Comments about the quiz? You can send them to: info@r-a-specialists.com
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To our U.S.A. Visitors to this website:On July 4th, we celebrate our national holiday, Independence Day. Cities, towns and villages throughout the nation will add to the celebration with thrilling professional fireworks displays. On July 5th newspaper stories and TV news will feature many descriptions of these events. On a sadder note, newspapers will also provide us with too numerous accounts of injuries and death caused by children and adults who do not take into consideration the dangers involved with these explosives. Most of these high-powered special fireworks displays are 1.2G, 1.3G and 1.4G Explosives. In most States it is illegal to possess and to set off these fireworks. Even the smaller firecrackers are classified as 1.4S Explosives and history indicates that many children have lost fingers or been severely burned or lost eyesight or became deaf from unsupervised or careless handling of these so-called minor explosives. Don't become a statistic. Leave the fireworks displays to the professionals. Happy birthday America.
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June
28 2001
Like to play golf?HMAC members, their spouses and all annual conference attendees are invited to participate in The 2nd Annual HMAC Golf Outing.We need to know if you're playing by July 1, 2001Lakewood Country Club
4801 General De Gaulle Drive
New Orleans, Louisiana 70131
504/393-1010 (Golf Shop)Tuesday November 6, 200112:00 P.M. box lunch available
1:00 P.M. tee time$85 includes: Cart & Greens Fee (includes range balls) and Box Lunch (9" roast beef or turkey po-boy, fresh fruit, chips and 2 homemade cookies)Golf club rental is available @ $20/bagCommitment date: July 1, 2001Contact Loretta Saunders, HMAC 202/289-4550
OR
Sean Bellew, Balchem Corporation 845/355-5398
Check for $85 due by August 1, 2001 (NO REFUNDS) Payable to Evans Industries Inc.
Send check to
Evans Industries Inc.
Attn: Ms. Anna Debo
P.O. Drawer 68
Harvey, LA 70059Questions - contact Sean Bellew at 845/355-5398This golf course is one of the top courses in the New Orleans area and hosted The New Orleans Open (a PGA tour event) for many years.Kudos to Rick Barlow of Lyondell Chemical Company for making the key arrangements and contact with Lakewood Country Club.
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December
22, 2000:
New U.S. Government Variations for air shipments. Go to http://hazmat.dot.gov/usvar_2001.pdf for more information.
- October
21, 2000
Disease Outbreak Reported
Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Uganda
- September
22, 2000
FAA and CAA Sign Memorandum of Cooperation Promoting Compliance with International Dangerous Goods Regulations. Press here for details.
- September
5, 2000
Opinion regarding combustible liquids.
Comment:
A DOT/RSPA opinion regarding combustible liquids in non-bulk packagings - Domestic shippers, shipping to a freight forwarder for export, are not required to identify the material as dangerous goods for their domestic-only portion of the transportation by highway or rail. We spent three days trying to explain this to a shipper who was attempting to apply the U.S. domestic rule to his exports. Of course, he only read what he wanted to read, we suspect, in an attempt to circumvent dangerous goods fees, U.N. Specification Packaging, markings, labels, and documentation. The freight forwarder, absent any marks or labels when the shipment is received and being prepared for export, all too frequently "assumes" the freight is not regulated. We suspect that this is one of the major reasons for undeclared dangerous goods being exported by air from the U.S.A.The following link to the U.S. D.O.T./RSPA provides an interpretation covering this situation. Please note the link covers two pages adobe acrobat reader required
- August
28, 2000
Forwarders, carriers, truckers: Why your drivers and warehouse personnel need to receive hazmat training. Don't get stuck! The result could be painful to your wallet! U.S. DOT/RSPA opinion re non-complying package being returned to the shipper.
- August
12, 2000
A scorcher from the United Nations! Urgent! Potential major change in documentation requirements
- August
7, 2000
Flammable gas torches are prohibited in passenger-checked or carry-on baggage
- August
2, 2000
Free Dangerous Goodes Awareness Seminars in Miami
- July
28, 2000
Spill of undeclared shipment of hazardous materials in cargo compartment of aircraft
- July
18, 2000