-
·
Working Within the UN IWG Committee to Ensure Safe Lithium Shipping for All
Article Summary The safety of lithium-ion batteries is often contested today, but we believe that with proper design, testing, and handling, these products are inherently safe; Although in rare cases either through misuse, improper shipping, damaged while shipping or manufacturing defect, lithium batteries can pose a significant risk. With this in mind, Americase team members…
-
·
Getting Involved in the SAE G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee
Article Summary Batteries, when properly designed and tested, are inherently safe products, but as the use of devices powered by lithium batteries continues to advance, there is a clear need for new, enhanced standards that keep up with lithium technology. One area of focus is aircraft transportation of lithium batteries and products that contain them,…
-
·
Does Your Company Ship Lithium Batteries?
Does your company ship lithium batteries? How about lithium battery-powered devices like laptops or cell phones? If yes, you probably know the complexities that come with making shipments in compliance with both US DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations as well as international dangerous goods regulations. Well, you should also know that the regulations have changed recently,…
-
·
Investigators Are People Too! and Other Things I Learned Working with PHMSA Field Ops
For 9 months of my career with USDOT / PHMSA, I was asked to oversee the Field Operations Team for the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety. It was a great experienced that provided me with insight and a more complete understanding of the hazardous materials safety system, of which so many of us are a…
-
·
Insights from Behind the Scenes
As we live through this unprecedented and challenging time in human history, I thought that I would share with you a quick story of how a small government agency (PHMSA) worked with industry and other government agencies to keep Americans safe. In 2014, the US was faced with an issue that it hadn’t dealt with…
-
·
Here We Go!
As I enter a new phase of my career, I want to share a few perspectives that I learned from my time working with PHMSA’s Approvals and Permits Division. Firstly, the people of the Approvals and Permits Division and across PHMSA are smart, hard-working, mission-driven people that are truly dedicated to safety. As a Federal…
-
·
FAA Proposed Fines for Hazardous Material Violations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed civil penalties exceeding $50,000 for alleged Hazardous Materials Violations involving persons and companies that have offered lithium batteries in checked baggage when in fact it should have been shipped as cargo. These violations are taken very seriously with stiff penalties because of the risk posed particularly aboard passenger…
-
·
Company Decision Makers Often Underestimate the Value of Investing in Safety and Compliance – Hazmat Safety Consulting Can Assist to Enhance Safety, Ease Compliance Challenges and Reduce Supply Chain Disruption
By Bob Richard, President Hazmat Safety Compliance This is a first in a series of blogs that I hope to publish on our new website. I am very excited to have undertaken the next adventure in my hazmat career by starting a company dedicated to helping companies large and small that face the many challenges…
-
·
Aerosols: Why Further Regulatory Harmonization Is Needed
By: Bob Richard With so much focus over the years on harmonizing dangerous goods regulations, one commodity that can definitely benefit from a focused review is aerosols. This is particularly a concern relative to U.S. regulations, where the definition for aerosols is not aligned with the international definition, causing confusion among shippers and carriers. In…
-
·
30% State of Charge
Limits the volume of flammable gases emitted by lithium ion cells propagated in a thermal runaway. • Results in a less energetic thermal runaway event if one should occur. • Reduces the likelihood of thermal propagation from cell to cell. • Harmonization facilitates international trade by minimizing the burden of complying with multiple or inconsistent…
