NACD Emphasizes Safety, Efficiency of Hazmat Transport by Rail

The National Association of Chemical Distributors has filed written testimony with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in advance of next week's public hearing on the railroads’ common carrier obligation to transport hazardous materials. That hearing, to be held July 22, will focus exclusively on the railroads’ common carrier obligation to transport hazardous materials, particularly toxic inhalation materials (TIH), and follows an April 24-25 general hearing on the common carrier obligation.

NACD’s testimony, contained in a letter from NACD Vice President of Government & Public Affairs Jennifer Gibson to STB Acting Secretary Anne K. Quinlan, emphasizes the safety and efficiency of transporting hazardous materials, particularly TIH materials such as chlorine and anhydrous ammonia, by rail. The testimony also outlines the problems that would occur, including substantial transportation cost increases, shipment delays, and opportunities for loading and unloading incidents, if railroads were to be relieved of their common carrier obligation and the transportation of TIH materials had to be shifted to trucks.

"Because TIH materials, particularly chlorine and anhydrous ammonia, are building blocks for so many products that are essential to Americans’ health and well-being, the economic impact of a lack of rail service to transport these materials would be severe," writes Gibson. "Shifting the transportation of these products to truck would result in the need for more personnel to safely load and unload the products and to drive the tank trucks. It would also require more fuel for all of the additional trucks on the road. With fuel prices continuing to increase, with no signs of dropping any time soon, this would substantially increase the costs of essential goods, ranging from food to medicine to clothing for all Americans. With fuel prices so high, it would be devastating to remove such an efficient mode of transportation for materials that are essential to so many aspects of the economy and public health."

In the letter containing the impending testimony, Gibson also urges the federal government to refrain from shifting railroads’ potential liability for hazmat incidents to shippers, stating that this would reduce the incentive for the railroads to run safer operations in order to avoid incidents such as those that occurred in Minot, N.D., in 2002, and Graniteville, S.C., in 2005, both of which the National Transportation Safety Board found to be the result of railroad infrastructure and operational failures.

To view the full testimony, go towww.nacd.com/advocacy/comments.aspx.

Product Showcase

  • Full Line of Defense Against Combustible Dust Nilfisk

    Nilfisk provides a comprehensive range of industrial vacuums meticulously crafted to adhere to NFPA 652 housekeeping standards, essential for gathering combustible dust in Class I, Group D, and Class II, Groups E, F & G environments or non-classified settings. Our pneumatic vacuums are meticulously engineered to fulfill safety criteria for deployment in hazardous surroundings. Leveraging advanced filtration technology, Nilfisk ensures the secure capture of combustible materials scattered throughout your facility, ranging from fuels, solvents, and metal dust to flour, sugar, and pharmaceutical powders. Read More

  • The MGC Simple Plus

    The MGC Simple Plus is a simple-to-use, portable multi gas detector that runs continuously for three years without being recharged or routinely calibrated after its initial charge and calibration during manufacturing. The detector reliably tests a worksite’s atmosphere for hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, oxygen and combustible gases (LEL). Its durability enables the detector to withstand the harshest treatment and environments, hence earning it an IP 68 rating. The MGC Simple Plus is also compatible with a variety of accessories, such as the GCT External Pump. Visit gascliptech.com for more information. Read More

  • SECUPRO MARTEGO

    FOR HIGHEST DEMANDS. A cutting tool in which function and design go hand in hand. Meet the SECUPRO MARTEGO, our prize-winning squeeze-grip safety knife with fully automatic retractable blade for safety. • Ergonomically friendly trigger mechanism to engage the blade • Durable body made of aluminum • Safer alternative to fixed blade utility knives for general cutting tasks • 9 mm Cutting depth • Easy, tool free blade change Dimensions: L 6.10" L x 0.71" W x 1.91" H Weight: 3.70 oz Cutting Depth: 9 mm Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars