Each day hundreds of thousands of hazmat shipments take place throughout the length and breadth of this country as well as internationally. The risks and challenges involved in transporting hazardous materials, whether they are transported by ground, air, or vessel, cannot be overstated. It’s why people who are involved in hazmat transportation are required to comply with a wide range of federal laws and regulations, which are put in place to mitigate the risks involved in the process and to ensure the health and safety of the employees.
One of the simplest ways for hazmat professionals to keep track of the laws and regulations regarding hazmat transportation is to subscribe to the Federal Register. The Federal Register is a journal that publishes all the rules and regulations pertaining to the hazmat industry – as well as a wide range of other information that is of interest to the public.
In this short guide, let us take a look at the purpose and function of the Federal Register and how hazmat professionals can benefit by subscribing to it.
What is the Federal Register?
The Federal Register is a journal which is published by the Office of the Federal Register (OFR), which comes under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and the US Government Publishing Office (GPO).
The primary function of the Federal Register is to publish regulatory information that is relevant to professionals from different industries as well as the common public. It publishes a wide range of information including Presidential documents, executive orders, proclamations, public meetings, public comments, proposed rules and public notices, interpretations of rules, federal regulations, and many more.
Being the official journal of the federal government, there are no copyright restrictions on the content published in the Federal Register. Federal Register documents as well as the information contained in the documents are in the public domain and can be accessed by anyone.
Significance of the Federal Register for Hazmat Professionals
The Federal Register publishes a wide array of regulatory information regarding hazmat transportation. It covers the regulatory requirements pertaining to a number of federal agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Maritime Administration (MARAD), and many more.
By keeping track of the information published in the Federal Register, hazmat professionals can be aware of the latest happenings in the hazmat industry, updates, amendments, and modifications to existing regulations, as well as new regulatory standards that are adopted from time to time.
By subscribing to the Federal Register, hazmat professionals can also learn how new rules and regulations are proposed, how a proposed rule becomes a final rule, and what kind of factors are taken into account before updating or amending a regulation.
When it comes to transporting hazardous materials – whether it is by ground, air, rail, or sea – there are regulatory requirements to be met at every step of the process. Complying with these requirements is the best way to reduce the risk of hazmat incidents caused by human error.
Violating hazmat regulatory requirements can result in civil penalties – which can range from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars – depending on the severity of the violation and its consequences.
For instance, the current minimum penalty for hazmat training violations is $582. On the other hand, the penalty for hazmat transportation violations that result in property damage, injuries, or deaths can be as high as $225,455. Even if there was not any inflation that’s a large amount of money.
The imposition of civil penalties for non-compliance or deliberate violations of regulations can also damage the reputation of hazmat employers to a great extent. Depending on the consequences of the hazmat incident caused by their negligence, they might have to face criminal penalties as well.
Who Can Subscribe to the Federal Register?
Subscribing to the Federal Register can be extremely beneficial for hazmat employees and employers. According to the PHMSA, a hazmat employee is an individual who is involved in the transportation of hazardous materials in any capacity.
The definition includes those who handle hazardous materials directly, those who transport these materials, as well as those who test, mark, recondition, repair, or is involved in any other capacity in the hazmat packaging process. A hazmat employer is anyone who employs one or more persons for the purpose of packaging, handling and/or transporting hazardous materials.
You can sign up with the Federal Register by creating an account and accessing all the information published on the website. You can also follow the Federal Register on Facebook and Twitter to get regular updates on regulatory requirements in the hazmat industry.
Choose Hazmat University for the Most Up-to-Date and Comprehensive Online Training Courses for Hazmat Professionals
At Hazmat University, we offer in-depth, function-specific online training courses for hazmat professionals at a price they can afford. From mode-specific training to multi-modal training, we offer a wide range of training courses for people who are employed in or associated with the hazmat industry in any capacity.
Our hazmat online training courses are prepared by experts with thorough knowledge of the hazmat industry laws and regulations. Our course curriculum is updated regularly to make sure our courses cover all the latest regulatory requirements.
The best part about these courses is that you can complete them at your own pace from anywhere you want as long as you have an internet connection. Our interactive, engaging, and student-friendly Dynamic Learning Environment sets Hazmat University online courses apart from the rest of the industry. Call us today at 844-864-1762 or contact us online to find out more about our training courses.
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