By: Michael Barron Jr.

PHMSA is proposing new rules on train consist and emergency response information.

PHMSA proposes to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations in response to statutory mandates and NTSB recommendations by requiring all railroads transporting hazmat to generate in electronic form train consist information, maintain that information off-the-train, update that information in real-time, and provide the information to authorized emergency response personnel in advance of their arrival to an accident or incident. All railroads operating a train carrying hazardous materials will need to push that information to local first responders needing such information promptly following either an incident involving the release or suspected release of hazardous material.  In updating that electronic train consist information, carriers must also update hard copy versions of the same information provided to train crews such that both hard copy and electronic versions of that information are consistent, accurate, and available when needed most.

PHMSA expects this  approach will ensure that emergency response personnel have timely, accurate, actionable information regarding hazmat being transported and the hazards they may encounter when they are in route to or reach the scene of an incident.

Comments are due August 28, 2023. Please contact Michael Barron Jr. at mbarron@fletcher-sippel.com if you have any questions. A link to the proposed rule is attached.   NPRM HAZMAT INFO