Welding & Gases Today reports on effects of CSA scores.
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Press Release Summary:
Article titled "CSA Scores May Affect Special Permits," which appears in Welding and Gases Today, details new policies implemented by U.S. DOT that may affect ability of motor carriers to obtain new/renewed special permits for transportation of hazardous materials. Written by GAWDA's Richard P. Schweitzer, article cites procedures first set out in November 2009 by PHMSA that now requires coordination with relevant modal agency within DOT to determine fitness of applicant for special permit.
Original Press Release:
Welding & Gases Today Reports CSA Scores May Affect Special Permits
GAWDA consultant Richard P. Schweitzer analyzes new policies from DOT.
Dewitt, NY: New policies implemented by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) may affect the ability of motor carriers to obtain new or renewed special permits for transportation of hazardous materials. GAWDA's Government Affairs & Human Resources Legal Consultant Richard P. Schweitzer, Esq., details the new policies in "CSA Scores May Affect Special Permits." His article appears in Welding & Gases Today, the leading magazine for the gases and welding equipment industry.
Under procedures first set out in November 2009, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) now requires coordination with the relevant modal agency within DOT to determine the fitness of an applicant for a special permit. For special permits affecting shipments by truck, that means PHMSA will coordinate with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA will then review the company's citation and crash history under the new Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) program. "If the company's CSA record shows a pattern of motor carrier safety violations or crashes, the FMCSA may recommend that PHMSA deny the request for a special permit," says Schweitzer.
According to the agency's internal procedures, the FMCSA's standard for this review is to determine the "safety fitness of the motor carrier in the context of (its) ability to safely carry out the terms of the special permit." Bulk quantities and higher hazard materials will typically draw additional scrutiny. Moreover, PHMSA now requires all separately incorporated entities within a corporate family to hold their own special permits or have party status to another affiliated corporation's special permits; this requires each member of a corporate family to have a unique fitness evaluation.
To find out how these regulations from DOT may impact your company, and to see remedial steps for significant deficiencies in regulatory compliance, read "CSA Scores May Affect Special Permits" (http://www.weldingandgasestoday.org/index.php/2011/09/csa-scores-may-affect-special-permits/) at Welding & Gases Today Online. For more information, contact Devin O'Toole, content editor at Welding & Gases Today at devin@weldingandgasestoday.org or 315-445-2347.
About GAWDA
Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.weldingandgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry's voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America.
