Index of Newsletters

    2012
  • Feb 2012: Senate Hazardous Materials Transportation Improvement Safety Act of 2011; Millionaires; Congressional insider trading; Lithium handling labels must be attached; HM-215K hidden requirment
  • Jan 2012: Refrigerated Ocean Containers; FAA issues rules to prevent tired airline pilots; 9-11 Revisited; Rant: Tax on millionaires

    • 2011
  • Dec 2011: Requirments for closing Drums; Rant: The Economy, stupid (congress); More on Lithium Batteries; Refrigerated Ocean Containers
  • Nov 2011: toner create a static charge when vacuumed; 1.4S explosives be certain to check the special provisions; 2012 IATA Changes in the Regulations; Proposal that all lithium ion and lithium metal cells and batteries be fully regulated.
  • Oct 2011: 2012 IATA Changes in the Regulations; Approaching Deadline - Cigarette Lighters; Do Your MSDSs Measure Up; U.S. FAA Proposes $207,200 Penalty; TSA announced that so far in 2011 they discovered and confiscated more than 800 guns in passengers’ carry-on luggage; The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) lithium battery fire
  • Sep 2011: 9/11/01-- WE WILL NEVER FORGET!; SP A165 is being overlooked; Lithium Batteries, Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 freighter crash; Do Your MSDSs Measure Up to Global Regulatory Requirements?
  • Aug 2011: Lithium Batteries: another accident?; Shipping fire extinguisher actuating charges; 9/11 Declassifed pictures;
  • July 2011: Fireworks War-Room Stories!; What is a shipper?
  • June 2011: Transportation Security; fireworks a serious risk; Explosive Lithium Batteries Video; online database to report injuries or hazards posed by consumer products; the many important uses of lithium batteries
  • May 2011: Warehouse Employee Hazmat Training; Workers’ Memorial Day; DHS new security alert; new tool and resource for pediatricians and other health care providers as well as parents and families
  • April 2011: Warehouse Employee Hazmat Training; The elimination of Consumer Commodities; Downloadable MSDS form in new format; Lithium Batteries Check list;
  • March 2011: Warehouse Employee Hazmat Training; Major Changes on the horizon; FedEx self-correcting dangerous goods declarations program woes
  • February 2011: 2010 IMDG Code Amendment 35; Proposed New Rules for U.S. Truckers; U.S. D.O.T./PHMSA Final Rules for Hazardous Materials by Air; Texting while in training a NO-NO!
  • January 2011: IATA Addendum to the Dangerous Goods Regulations, 52nd Edition; 24 Hour Emergency Phone Contact; Operator Variation by FedEx, FX-18; Rant: failure of local drivers to practice even basic loading, bracing and blocking rules; Duty Time: Truck Drivers, Pilot, Train Engineers and Conductors

    • 2010
  • December 2010: 24 Hour Emergency Phone Contact; Not Bill Maher’s new rules….; Lithium Batteries -- we’re still waiting, and waiting, and waiting….; Shipping Lithium Batteries manufactured before before 1 January 2003
  • November 2010: Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Classes changes; 24 Hour Emergency Phone Contact; where do you place the letters RQ on the air dangerous goods declaration? ; DG Acceptance Checklists - does it really vary from airline to airlines?
  • October 2010: 32nd Annual Conference & Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition; Hazardous Ale?; PHMSA requires that shippers must identify the person or organization providing the 24 hour emergency phone contact; Send us your Rants!
  • September 2010: FAA may penalize medical supplier; 33 Trapped Chilean Miners Are Alive After 17 Days; new rules concerning the safe transportation of lithium ion and lithium metal batteries should be published shortly; Two major airline cargo aircraft accidents within 41 days.
  • August 2010: Why driver and warehouse personnel need training; Lithium Batteries -- smokeless cigarettes” may be even more dangerous than tobacco cigarettes; The Material Safety Data Sheet must comply with Global Harmonization System (GHS) standards; What happens when you fail to pay attention to State Variations.
  • July 2010: U.S. Independence Day July 4; U.S. Hazmat Information; DGAC 32nd Annual Conference & Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition
  • June 2010: Frozen and Temperature Sensitive Packaging; Lithium Batteries & Other Electric Power Sources; Sodium metal halide battery technology; Warehouse & Driver Training final rules dealing with lithium battery shipments; Warehouse Training; U.S. Hazmat Information; DGAC 32nd Annual Conference & Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition
  • May 2010: Chemical Safety Board Website; Shanghai World Expo; Lithium Batteries, U.S.D.O.T./PHMSA is expected to publish final rules dealing with lithium battery shipments by 1-1-11; Warehouse Training, the weakest link in hazmat safety.
  • April 2010: D.O.T. Hazmat Website; more MSDS; D.O.T. is offering a free Seminar & Workshop; Block and brace your load of freight on that truck; Lithium Batteries, the weakest link
  • March 2010: 24 Hour Emergency Phone Contact; Truckers;Warehouse Operators and Ramp Service Companies; D.O.T. Hazmat Website; D.O.T. Hazmat Website; What we look for in an MSDS for Lithium Metal Batteries
  • February 2010: Unsafe cell phone use; Lithium Batteries, a major concern; Lithium Battery Recall; More MSDS
  • January 2010: U.S. D.O.T./PHMSA released a 85 page notice of proposed rulemaking; Lithium Batteries, yes, the new IATA air regulations have been changed to reflect the ICAO Regulations; Dangerous Goods Advisory Council; U.S. D.O.T./PHMSA Penalties increased; examine MSDS information

    • 2009
  • December 2009: Oxygen Cylinders & Chemical Oxygen Generators; The IATA packing instructions for lithium batteries have been changed again for 2010; Journal of Hazmat Transportation is now available on line; RAS Holiday Schedule
  • November 2009: Federal Acquisition Regulation will require that Federal contractors and sub-contractors use the E-Verify system to electronically verify the employment eligibility and immigration status of their employees; Lithium Batteries – check out the videos on these links; new fire resistant cases for oxygen cylinders
  • October 2009: Oxygen & Other Oxidizing Gas Cylinders & Chemical oxygen Generators; State instructs farmers to keep weed killer out of water; Mandatory training is slated for Raynham firefighters at lithium battery plant; IATA will be changing the LI Battery packing instructions to comply with the ICAO Technical Instructions in 2010.
  • September 2009: Lithium Batteries, Confusion, frustration and non-compliance still exists in all modes of transportation.
  • August 2009: Training – it’s the law!; Who needs to be trained?; Lithium Batteries – new set of proposed regulations before the end of the year; Lost, stolen or tampered cargo
  • July 2009: Fireworks, Lithium Batteries Reminder
  • June 2009: Future Rulemaking for Lithium Batteries; increase in the theft of 45 Ft. empty ocean containers; lack of secure rest areas as thefts and hijackings seem to be on the increase; air freight in the greater New York area is down about 30%; What happens when a shipment is refused by a carrier for non-compliance?
  • May 2009: The weakest link: untrained warehouse employees; The U.S. D.O.T. (PHMSA) does not allow Lithium Metal Batteries (UN 3090) to be shipped via passenger-carrying aircraft; Oops! Are you well known?
  • April 2009: Lithium Batteries -- problem for shippers; Feedback from airlines; Non Vessel Operators (NVO); EHS (Environmentally Hazardous Substances); The Soap Box
  • March 2009: Employees must be instructed specifically about lithium batteries; MSDS; D.O.T. Hazmat Website; 24 Hour Emergency Phone Contact; DGAC Conference; air waybills, bills of lading, manifests, dangerous goods declarations;importing non-hazardous goods
  • February 2009: Lithium Batteries; MSDS; DGAC; The Economy; Tip of the hat” to Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and his crew
  • January 2009: Lithium Batteries (Oh, no! More regulations?); MSDS Form; Dangerous Goods Advisory Council

    • 2008
  • December 2008: shipping perfumes and colognes via the U.S. Post Office; Ocean & Air Training Programs; Lithium Batteries; Radioactive Material Training; Global Harmonization
  • September 2008: warehouse training for employees recuces damaged freight; Quantas Airline B-747 ruptured fuselage; Two warehouse employees killed by chemical spill in St’ Louis.
  • August 2008: July 25 a Qantas Boeing 747-400 lost cabin pressure.. ; About DGAC
  • June 2008: Fireworks!; Limited Quantities by Ocean (IMDG Code); FAA Pilot Hazmat Notification
  • April - May 2008: U.S. National Transportation Safety Board; U.S. D.O.T. / PHMSA – More on Lithium Batteries; Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK and on the web; 30th Annual Conference and Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition
  • February - March 2008: Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK and on the web; Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - New Service; TSA; DSA; 30th Annual Conference and Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition; 30 years of shipping regulations changes

    • 2007
  • October 2007: U.S. D.O.T. More on Lithium Batteries; TSA - reminder; more on MSDS; Advisory from the FAA concerning lithium batteries and MSDS's
  • August 2007: DOT/PHMSA published a proposed rule in the July 2nd Federal Register; Batteries; Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS); deadline for Security Threat Assessment submissions
  • June 2007: TSA Extension; U.S. Independence Day - July 4, 2007; What are NPEs? (Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylates); the upcoming 29th Annual DGAC Conference
  • May 2007: Security Threat Assessment submissions; Overpacks; John Eversole - Rest in Peace

  • April 2007: Shipping Dangerous Goods in Drums; Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK and on the web; Transportation Security Administration - important new amendments.

  • March 2007: Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK and on the web

  • February 2007: Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK and on the web; Lithium Batteries ; Lithium Batteries; Transportation Security Administration; U.N. Specifications Packages; Toxic Substances 6.1 (Liquids & Solids);


    • 2006
  • December 2006: Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK and the web; Perfumes, colognes and cosmetics.; TSA amended the compliance dates for TSA-2004-19515; Lithium Batteries: concerns; Amendment 33-06 is effective as of 1 January 2007; IATA changes in 2007; Labelmaster 2nd edition; DGAC's 7th International Dangerous Goods Conference;
  • Septmeber 2006: 9-11; Transportation Security; Perfumes, colognes and cosmetics; Verizon; DGAC's 28th Annual Conference; DGAC's 2007 International Conference; New final rules published by the U.S. D.O.T./Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
  • August 2006: www.r-a-specialists.com Disruption of service; Airline Security; Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK; Perfumes, colognes and cosmetics; GHS/Environmentally Hazardous Substances workshop; DGAC's 28th Annual Conference & Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition; DGAC's 2007 International Conference, March 6-7, 2007, in Prague
  • July 2006:
  • U.S. and International Transportation Laws require that any employee who prepares hazardous materials (dangerous goods) for transportation must be trained.; Fireworks; Lithium Batteries; Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program
  • May 2006: U.S. DOT/PHMSA Issues New Maximum Limits for Civil and Criminal Penalties; HM-240 - Final Rule; Published 12/9/2005; Effective Date 1/9/2006; Exemptions and Special Permits; Batteries
  • January 2006: Fraud? Forgery?;Hazmat/Dangerous Goods Training Programs; U.S. D.O.T. HM-240,

    • 2005
  • November 2005: FAA's New Training Requirements
  • September 2005: Hurricane Katrina; DGAC's 27 Annual Conference; IATA Addendum IV; 24-hour Emergency Phone Contact; U.S. Truckers Hours of Service Rules changes
  • July 2005: More on security; Many ocean carriers now request all the details about inner and outer packaging; The 2005 Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition;
  • June 2005: Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK; U.S. Hazmat Security; Lithium Batteries; 24-Hour Emergency Response Phone Number; DGAC 27th Annual Conference
  • May 2005: Upcoming Dangerous Goods Training Dates at JFK; New Refrigerated Packing by R-A Specialists; LIMITED QUANTITY by Ocean; Security; Aircraft Pilot Notification; Solar Case Revisited;
  • April 2005: Aircraft Pilot Notification; Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Training; Lithium Batteries reminder; Passengers' Cigarette Lighters and Matches - reminder; U.S. Department of Homeland Security; My Soapbox; IATA Corrections; ICAO Corrections; International Civil Aviation Organization Technical instructions for safe transport of dangerous goods by air; 650 packaging instructions
  • March 2005: Changes at the U.S. D.O.T; Lithium Batteries; 24 hour Emergency Phone Contact; Cigarette Lighters and Matches; Security Training Programs; Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Training; U.S. Truckers\
  • January/February 2005: More on Lithium Batteries; Dangerous Goods Advisory Council will hold its 6th International Conference

    • 2004
  • November 2004: Lithium Batteries; IATA Changes in the 46th Edition, 2005; Competition for the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations; Air Bag Inflators; U.S./MEXICO Cross-Border Dangerous Goods Seminar; Important Dates
  • September 2004: 2004 Republican National Convention in NYC, Notice of Possible Personal Searches by the NYPD, Air Bag Inflators, U.S./MEXICO Cross-Border Dangerous Goods Seminar, Important Dates change
  • August 2004: Threat level raised in some areas, AirBag Inflators,U.S./MEXICO Cross-Border Dangerous Goods Seminar, Oxygen Cylinders Shipped by Air - HM-224B
  • July 2004: US/Mexico Cross-Border Dangerous Goods Seminar, Hazardous Materials Incident Report, Security Concerns vs World Trade, Placards lead to other responsibilities, Important Dates
  • June 2004: Security and hazmat handeling, check your training records, U.S. Hazmat Cargo Security Regulations - effective now, Proposed Hazmat Training Requirements for U.S. Air Carriers and their subcontractors, and Repair Stations, 24-Hour Emergency Telephone Contact
  • March 2004: Check your training records, Security reminder, new hours of service rules are in effect for drivers, CDL's with Hazmat endorsements require a security background check, the air eligibility mark is not required, Transport Canada’s Fall/2003 Newsletter excerpt

    • 2003
  • October 2003: Chect your training records, Cautions for 2004, Security and other important things, Undeclared Dangerous Goods, DGAC Annual Meeting
  • September 2003: Critical dates you cannot ignore, The Air Eligibility Mark, 2003 DGAC Annual Conference and Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition (November 13 & 14, 2003)
  • July - August 2003: Changes in training dates, 2003 DGAC Annual Conference and Hazardous Materials Transportation Exposition, Cargo Security Regulations, Proposed Hazmat Training Requirements, Undeclared Dangerous Goods continued.
  • May - June 2003: Where have we been? New training class added for dangersous goods by air, new Security Initiatives, New Hazmat Cargo Regulations, New proposed Hazmat Training Requirments; Undeclared Dangerous Goods
  • February 2003: Columbia Shuttle, Security Alert, Classification Class 4, DGAC Conference, February -- a terrible month for hazmats, US Hazmat Security Issues
  • January 2003: New requirements for air shipments, new air eligibility mark, off the shelf UN packaging, drop tests, increased security on airfreight, RSPA-02-12064 (HM-232), DGAC/Pira International 2003 Global Conference,

    • 2002
  • November/December 2002: U.S. Regulatory update, Major issue raised by a D.O.T./RSPA Interpretation
  • October 2002: Hazmat registration numbers, security programs, NTIA Docket No. 020816197-2197-01, Dangerous Goods Advisory Council's Annual Conference Quiz
  • September 2002: September 11, HM-228, HM-232, HM-232a, HM_232b, DGAC 2002 Annual Conference Quiz
  • July - August 2002: Hazmat Security and Security Enhancements Quiz
  • May 2002: Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) published; RSPA proposed new security initiatives
  • April 2002: New ICAO symbol for dangerous goods transported by air, Quiz
  • February 2002: HMAC name change, DTO's Frequency of Training, Anthrax defense, Quiz
  • January 2002: Reflection on 2001, fireworks, new US DOT placard restrictions

    • 2001
  • December 2001: WTC rememberd, revised death toll, website walk-through, Quiz
  • November 2001: Change in R-A Specialists Procedures
  • October 2001: A note about September 11, U.S. Environmental issues, Pop Quiz
  • September 2001: Special note to truckers, Hazard Labels, HMAC Training Conference. Quiz
  • August 2001: Review of training records, August Hazmat Pop Quiz
  • July 2001: Managing Hazmat Compliance: Fact or Fiction
  • June 2001: Final update on the Uganda Ebola Virus outbreak; Class 8, Corrosives
  • February/March 2001: New Ocean Regulations; Radioactive Material.
  • January 2001: Lithium Batteries; Ebola Virus Update

    • 2000
  • December 2000: More on Infectious Substances and the Human Genome.
  • October/November 2000: Infectious Substances.
  • September 2000: Toxic Liquids and Solids, Serious Injury or Death.
  • August 2000: Flammable Liquids.
  • July 2000: Organic Peroxides.
  • June 2000: FAA Fines, Explosives; Oxygen Cylinders into, through, or from the U.S.
  • May 2000: ValuJet; Oxygen Generators; Oxidizers.
  • April 2000: Alan I. Roberts becomes president of HMAC; Toxic Gases, Liquids, Solids.
  • March 2000: Oxygen Cylinders; European Union Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors