PHMSA implements new data-driven framework for hazmat transportation inspection and enforcement standards

“Safety drives everything we do. That's why, for the first time ever, PHMSA is publicly highlighting key focus areas for our inspection and enforcement teams to drive meaningful improvements in the movement of hazardous materials,” said Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator Paul Roberti. “We aim to build safer communities across America through stronger compliance, enhanced partnerships, and higher safety standards for our industry.”

The memo directs PHMSA hazmat inspectors and investigators to focus on areas with the greatest potential impact on hazardous materials safety and to base their decisions on data-driven analyses. In addition to inspection and enforcement, the memo outlines priorities for outreach to regulated entities to help prevent safety violations and accidents before they occur.

Additional information

The OHMS inspection and enforcement priorities memo is available on PHMSA’s website. This memo follows a similar effort already undertaken by PHMSA’s Office of Pipeline Safety.

Priorities in the memo are outlined below

Outreach priorities

• Increasing communication and engagement with hazardous materials shippers.
• Supporting shipper understanding and compliance with hazardous materials package selection requirements.
• Promoting proper classification of materials prior to shipment.

Inspection priorities

• General hazardous materials shippers.
• Cylinder requalification facilities.
• Domestic and foreign cylinder manufacturing facilities.
• Drum manufacturing operations.
• Drum recertification entities.
• Companies with past major safety violations.
• Lithium battery shippers.
• Undeclared hazardous materials shippers operating via e-commerce platforms.

Enforcement priorities

• Ensure timely and accurate case processing.
• Focus on risk-based enforcement.
• Promote national consistency and accountability.
• Leverage data to drive strategic improvements.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s mission is to protect people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our daily lives.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/regulations-and-standards/21112025/phmsa-implements-new-data-driven-framework-for-hazmat-transportation-inspection-and-enforcement-standards/