The Short Line Safety Institute’s materials cover a range of topics related to hazardous materials (hazmat). Browse our Hazmat Tips below for guidance on how to improve hazmat safety at your railroad.
A final rule issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) establishes security requirements for freight rail carriers and other rail operators. This Hazmat Tip, the last in a three-part series of Hazmat Tips focused on security, provides an overview of TSA’s rule, particularly as it pertains to freight rail transportation.
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Watch a Hazmat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
When it comes to safety, railroaders are the first line of defense, and the information they gather is vital to safe operations across the entire rail network. This Hazmat Tip describes the system of alert levels developed by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and other stakeholders that offers a unified approach to rail industry security. The tip also provides emergency and non-emergency contact information for AAR’s Railway Alert Network (RAN) and explains how the RAN supports security awareness and information sharing.
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Watch a Hazmat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
Most reports of suspicious activity in and around railroad facilities comes from railroad employees. Maintaining vigilance is a key responsibility for railroaders, enabling them to protect their team members and those in their communities. This Hazmat Tip helps employees understand what to look for, where to look and when to make a report. Also discussed are reminders about what to do or not to do when encountering something suspicious on the railroad.
View the Hazmat Tip to learn more about security vigilance.
Watch a Hazmat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
A final rule published by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) requires railroads that carry hazardous materials to generate certain information in electronic form regarding those hazardous materials, and provide such information to certain emergency response and law enforcement officials. This Hazmat Tip provides an overview of requirements under the new rule, including key compliance dates, a list of information needed in the consist and a description of an alternative compliance method for Class III railroads.
View the Hazmat Tip to learn more about train consist information requirements.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducts announced and unannounced inspections to to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers. This Hazmat Tip discusses OSHA inspections and explains how planning for an OSHA visit and adhering to pre-established protocols will improve communication, cooperation and compliance.
View the Hazmat Tip to learn more about preparing for OSHA inspections.
Watch a Hazmat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
2024 ERG OVERVIEW
This Hazardous Materials Safety Tip outlines the sections of the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), providing a helpful overview for your team.
View the Hazmat Tip to learn more about the 2024 ERG.
Watch a Hazmat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
Hazmat Safety Tip: Tank Car Orientation, Part 2
This Hazmat Safety Tip is the second of two in the series, and outlines the major physical characteristics of tank cars.
Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more.
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Hazmat Safety Tip: Tank Car Orientation, Part 1
Being able to quickly identify information about a car and its contents can minimize and even mitigate risks associated with a hazardous materials incident. This Hazmat Safety Tip is the first of two in the series, and identifies the reporting marks and information that can be found on the outside of a tank car.
Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more about tank cars.
Watch a Hazmat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
Hazardous materials response training for volunteer or remote emergency responders should include an introduction to essential railroad terminology relating to the transportation of hazmat.
Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more about key railroad terminology to introduce in emergency responder training.
Watch a Hazmat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. OSHA standards are rules that describe the methods that employers must use to protect their employees from hazards.
Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more about OSHA standards and the ten that are most frequently cited, all of which fall into the general industry and construction groups.
Watch a Hazmat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
Routinely reviewing protocol for hazardous materials releases is a great topic for safety briefings. Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more about non-accidental releases (NARs) and necessary response actions to take when they occur.
Watch a HazMat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
While not inherently dangerous, the rail environment contains a unique infrastructure and moving equipment. It’s better to know before you go when responding to calls for service on railroad property.
Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more.
Watch a HazMat Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
“D.E.C.I.D.E.” is a process framework for hazardous materials emergency decision making.
Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more.
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Fact-gathering endeavors during a hazardous materials emergency response should focus on: train, surroundings, and coordination.
Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more.
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Three clear priorities exist during a hazardous materials emergency response.
Check out this Hazmat Tip to learn more.
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Use this safety tip to review the important distinctions between the two categories of tank cars in use in the United States: General Service Cars and Pressure Service Cars, and how to identify the type via specification markings.
Watch a Hazmat Minute video on this topic by clicking here.
The latest Hazmat Tip is the third in a series, reviewing the documentation required for the movement of Hazardous Materials.
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This Hazmat Tip reviews the necessary elements that railroad personnel should check for and review related to Emergency Response Information as part of reviewing shipping papers.
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This first Hazmat Tip in the hazmat series discusses required documents including shipping papers.
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For railcars containing hazardous materials, this Hazmat Tip discusses basic tips for conducting a safety and security inspection.
Watch a Hazmat Minute video on this topic by clicking here.