Hazardous Materials: Miscellaneous Changes to the Hazard Communication Requirements

Summary: This final rule amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to improve hazard communication for hazardous materials transported in commerce. Revisions adopted in this final rule include: permitting the use of the Pantone Formula, an industry guide for colors, for hazard warning labels and placards; expanding the use of labels specified in the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet C-7 on cylinders used to transport Division 2.1, 2.2, or 2.3 gases to all modes of transportation; requiring a NON-ODORIZED marking on certain cylinders, portable tanks, cargo tanks, and tank cars and multi unit tank car tanks containing unodorized liquefied petroleum gas; and allowing a FUMIGANT marking to be removed from a transport vehicle or freight container before the lading is unloaded if the vehicle has undergone sufficient aeration. Taken together, the revisions in this final rule will enhance hazard communication for the safe handling of hazardous materials in transportation and the prompt identification of hazardous materials involved in transportation incidents.