February 25 -- Welcome to another issue of 3E HazMat Matters. Please forward this newsletter to any colleagues who might find it useful or have them request a copy by clicking here. For information on how to unsubscribe, see the instructions at the end of this email. In this Issue: Ask the 3Experts..................................................................................................... Proposed changes to the current regulations were recommended and published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2004, with a comment period extended until December 13, 2004. RSPA (Research and Special Programs Administration) has made it clear in this document that there currently is no mandate that air carriers accept personal oxygen cylinders for medical use, but they also state that they are evaluating the issue. IV. Effects on Individuals With Disabilities Under separate RSPA and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) rules [49 CFR 175.10(a)(7), and 14 CFR 121.574 and 135.91, respectively], which this proposal would not amend, passengers may not carry their own oxygen aboard aircraft for use during flight. Air carriers are permitted to provide oxygen for passenger use in accordance with specified requirements in the aforementioned rules, although some air carriers may choose not to provide this service for their passengers. RSPA seeks comment on whether the new proposed provisions placed on carriage of air carriers' own oxygen cylinders will significantly interfere with carriers' ability to provide this service, or increase the costs of this service, to passengers. The Office of the Secretary, RSPA and FAA have initiated a project separate from this rulemaking action to explore whether safe alternatives exist for accommodating passenger needs in regard to use of medical oxygen. This project may result in proposals to amend the relevant portions of the HMR and FAA regulations, as well as those of the Office of the Secretary implementing the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (49 U.S.C. 41705), which prohibits discrimination in regard to air traveler access on the basis of disability. This statement from docket RSPA-04-17664 (HM-224B) is consistent with the previous final rule, Docket No. HM-224A, addressing the same topic. This final rule will allow for the carriage of a limited number of oxygen cylinders, as cargo, in the passenger cabin of an aircraft, under certain conditions. This authorization is limited to no more than six airline-owned cylinders and one additional cylinder containing medical-use oxygen per passenger needing the oxygen at destination. However, consistent with the exemption on which the proposal was based (see SNPRM; 62 FR 44377), RSPA is limiting this allowance to small ``medical-use'' oxygen cylinders with capacities no greater than 850 liters (30 cubic feet). This exception is provided to ensure that cylinders of medical oxygen owned by an airline or a passenger--requiring oxygen at destination-- can continue to be transported aboard passenger-carrying aircraft. The exception does not eliminate or waive any of the current packaging, maintenance, or use requirements of the HMR related to cylinders of compressed oxygen, or any of the FAA or airline security requirements. If an airline elects to accept for transportation passenger-owned oxygen cylinders in accordance with 175.10(b), the passenger will have to offer the cylinder to the airline in accordance with the [[Page 45394]] established procedures of the airline. These procedures
may require passengers to tender their cylinders at airline cargo
facilities or at passenger check-in counters. In addition, the
passengers will not have access to their cylinders until they are
returned to them by the airlines. Again, these procedures will be
established by the airlines. RSPA notes that none of DOT's
requirements require airlines to accept passengers' cylinders of
compressed oxygen, nor do they require or preclude airlines from
charging fees for this
service.
3E In the News............................................................................................................ Frost &
Sullivan, a global growth and consulting company providing
market rese
Tips N Tricks................................................................................................................ How to get the most out of 3E Online®-MSDS If at any time a user experiences technical difficulties with the 3E Online-MSDS program there are multiple ways to help resolve these issues. The Help option contains Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's). These will help to resolve a majority of technical concerns while navigating through the site. If urgent, you can always contact a Customer Care Technician by clicking the 3E InstaCall icon in the upper right hand corner of your 3E Online screen for immediate 24-7-365 assistance. You can also email us by clicking on the Email 3E option under the 3E Online Help tab; a Customer Care Technician will get back to you within 24 hours. If you believe you may need assistance from your company's IT Staff to help resolve an online issue, you can download an Online Technical Requirements guide to assist with issues such as operating systems, network settings or browser compatibility here.
Industry Articles: News You Can Use..................................................................
From Truckline Express DOT Reorganization - The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a rule to implement the reorganization in today's Federal Register. As you know, the Research and Special Programs Administration is being dissolved and its functions are being transferred to two new administrations within the Department: the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Research and Innovative Technologies Administration (RITA). PHMSA succeeds to all the authority
exercised by RSPA with regard
to pipeline and hazardous
materials safety. RITA
succeeds to substantially all the research authority currently
exercised by RSPA, and
includes other duties and
powers of the Secretary that advance the Department’s research,
development, and technology
objectives.
RSPA Allows the Broad Use of Certain Well-Established Exemptions (HM-233) - On January 24, 2005, RSPA published a final rule (HM-233) to convert certain widely used exemptions into regulations. The purpose of this rulemaking is to provide wider access to the benefits of the exemptions, which have an established safety record, and eliminate the need for current exemption holders to reapply for renewal. A copy of the final rule may be accessed here. The subjects addressed by the rulemaking include segregation, salvage cylinders and meter provers. Read the full story here. From NSC Membership News HSE publishes statement on health,
safety changes - Starting this year, domestic changes to occupational
safety and health law will be implemented only twice a year,
Britain's Health and Safety Executive announced Feb.
7. Spanish-language information available on NTSB Website -The National Transportation Safety Board announced Feb. 11 that its Website now provides Spanish-language information about the board, in addition to information about its products and services. Chairman Ellen Engleman Conners said the information will deliver the board's message to more people so more lives will be saved. Conners said multilingual information is part of the board's response to the President's Management Agenda for electronic government - an initiative designed to make better use of information technology investments to improve government services to citizens. Events......................................................................................................................... Speaking Engagements 3E Founder Jess Kraus to speak at National Manufacturing Week - Please join 3E's Founder, Jess Kraus, on Tuesday, 3/8/2005 from 10:30:00 AM - 11:20:00 AM as he presents "A Study of MSDS Quality and an Accurate Chemical Inventory - What potential risks to employee and community safety exist?" at National Manufacturing Week. As a customer of 3E Company you will receive 10% off the price of the conference program. In order to receive this discount, you must use this registration link: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=840&CampaignCode=DIS10. Don't miss it! User Group Events Attention Ariel WebInsight Users! Are you optimizing your use of Ariel WebInsight? Join us for the 2nd Annual Ariel WebInsight User Group immediately following SOCMA's Global Chemical Regulations Conference in Arlington, Virginia!
The event will start off with dinner on Wednesday March 23, a full day User Group on Thursday March 24, and an optional half day training session on Friday March 25. If you're already attending GlobalChem why not extend your stay and learn how your peers are increasing their efficiency through using WebInsight! Space is limited so register now! To RSVP send an email to emiller@3ecompany.com and please indicate if you'll be attending the Dinner on March 23, the User Group on March 24 and/or the 1/2 day Training on March 25. Tradeshows & Conferences - Stop by and see 3E at the following events: SOT
- Society of Toxicology 44th Annual Conference ASA
- American Subcontractors Association National Conference GlobalChem - Global Chemical
Regulations Conference RILA
(Retail Industry Leaders Association) Loss Prevention, Auditing
and Safety Conference COSTHA
(Conference on Safety Transportation of Hazardous Articles)
Come have dinner and take a tour of 3E's HazMat Mission Control during COSTHA! Email us for more information. SCHC
(Society for Chemical Hazard Communication) Spring Meeting 2005
ABC (Associated
Builders and Contractors) Safety Conference EEI (Edison
Electric Institute) Occupational Safety & Health
Conference 3E HazMat Management Web Seminar Series: 3E is always looking for topics of interest to you to include in our HazMat Management Web Seminar Series. Email your topic ideas to info@3ecompany.com. Miss one of our seminars? 3E has made many of our Web Seminars, part of the 3E HazMat Management Web Seminar Series, available for replay, including our most recent seminars:
Click here to access the Web Seminar topic of your choice. Please forward this information on to any of your colleagues who may benefit from this information. And don't forget! Those who participate in the 2 hour Web Seminars and submit answers to the quiz will be eligible to receive certificates for certification maintenance points (CMP) credits through the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). Additionally, these Web Seminars are available for CUSA credits through the National Safety Council (NSC). If you have any questions about this program, please email info@3ecompany.com.
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