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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.