83_FR_24096 83 FR 23996 - Hazardous Materials: Revisions to the Emergency Response Guidebook

83 FR 23996 - Hazardous Materials: Revisions to the Emergency Response Guidebook

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 100 (May 23, 2018)

Page Range23996-23997
FR Document2018-11055

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is soliciting input on ways to improve the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) as it develops the 2020 edition (ERG2020). PHMSA is particularly interested in input from emergency services personnel who have experience using the ERG to respond to hazardous materials transportation incidents.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23996-23997]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11055]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0055; Notice No. 2018-10]


Hazardous Materials: Revisions to the Emergency Response 
Guidebook

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
(PHMSA) is soliciting input on ways to improve the Emergency Response 
Guidebook (ERG) as it develops the 2020 edition (ERG2020). PHMSA is 
particularly interested in input from emergency services personnel who 
have experience using the ERG to respond to hazardous materials 
transportation incidents.

ADDRESSES: An email address has been established for interested persons 
to submit their input: ERGComments@dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Stephen Martinez, Outreach, 
Engagement and Grants Division (PHH-50), Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone number: (202) 366-4900, email: 
stephen.martinez@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act:

    The collection of this information has been approved under OMB 
Control Number 2105-0573, ``Generic Clearance for the Collection of 
Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.'' PHMSA estimates the 
total burden from this collection to be:
    Number of Respondents: 148.
    Number of Responses: 148.
    Number of Burden Hours: 12.
    Burden Cost: 151.

A. Background and Purpose

    The Federal hazardous materials transportation law, 49 U.S.C. 5101 
et seq., authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to 
issue and enforce regulations deemed necessary to ensure the safe 
transportation of hazardous materials in commerce. In addition, the law 
directs the Secretary to provide law enforcement and fire-fighting 
personnel with technical information and advice for responding to 
emergencies involving the transportation of hazardous materials.
    The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) 
developed the United States version of the Emergency Response Guidebook 
(ERG) for use by emergency services personnel to provide guidance for 
initial response to hazardous materials transportation incidents. Since 
1980, it has been PHMSA's goal that all public emergency response 
personnel (e.g., fire-fighting, police, and rescue squads) have 
immediate access to the ERG. To date and without charge, PHMSA has 
distributed more than 14.5 million copies of the ERG to emergency 
service agencies and developed free online resources and downloadable 
mobile applications to make the ERG more accessible. Since 1996, PHMSA, 
Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communication and Transport of 
Mexico have developed the ERG as a joint effort, with the assistance of 
interested parties from government and industry, including Argentina's 
Chemical Information Center for Emergencies (CIQUIME). ERG2020 will be 
published in English, French, and Spanish.
    Publication of ERG2020 will increase public safety by providing 
consistent emergency response procedures for hazardous materials 
transportation incidents in North America. To continually improve the 
ERG, PHMSA is publishing this notice to inform interested parties of an 
open-ended method to relate their experiences using the ERG and 
recommendations on how it could be modified or improved. If PHMSA 
receives comments that it cannot feasibly consider prior to the 
publication of ERG2020, then such comments will be considered for 
subsequent versions of the ERG.
    In addition to this notice, PHMSA will publicize its interest in 
receiving input on ERG2020 through future

[[Page 23997]]

announcements to emergency responder associations, during training and 
education seminars, and during activities with State and local 
government agencies. PHMSA has established an email address for 
interested persons to submit their input (see ADDRESSES).

B. Emergency Response Guidebook Questions

    To assist in the gathering of information, PHMSA solicits input 
from ERG users on experiences using, and concerns with, the 2012 and 
2016 editions. We are interested in any comments stakeholders and users 
wish to provide, but are particularly looking for answers to the 
following questions:
    1. How can we make the ERG more user-friendly for first responders 
during the initial response phase of a hazardous materials 
transportation incident? Please provide examples.
    2. Does ERG2016 effectively emphasize the most useful information 
for the initial response phase?
    3. Have you encountered conflicting or ambiguous guidance messages 
when using the ERG and other sources of technical information?
    4. Are there ways we could improve the White Pages? For example:
     Did you find the ``How to Use this Guidebook'' flow chart 
on page 1 of ERG2016 useful in understanding how to use the ERG? Please 
explain why or why not.
     Do you believe we should reformat the tables, charts, and 
the information they provide (i.e., Table of Placards, Rail 
Identification Chart, and Road Trailer Identification Chart)? What 
changes do you think would make them more useful, clear, and easy to 
read and use?
     What other identification charts should we add, if any? 
What other subject(s) should we address?
     How could we improve the information the ERG provides on 
chemical, biological, and radiological transportation incidents? Can 
you suggest information to include or remove?
     Do you find the terms in the Glossary appropriate and 
current? What terms should we add? What terms should we remove or 
change?
    5. In ERG2016's Yellow or Blue Pages, have you found any 
identification number and/or material name that seems to be assigned to 
an incorrect Guide number? If so, please note the identification 
number, material name, the Guide number, and suggest a new Guide number 
with your reasons why.
    6. Do the Orange Guide Pages contain recommendations and responses 
that are appropriate to the material they are assigned to? If not, 
please explain and recommend a correction.
    7. How could we change/improve the introduction and description of 
the Green Pages, or any of the following tables?
     Table 1--``Initial Isolation and Protective Action 
Distances''
     Table 2--``Water Reactive Materials Which Produce Toxic 
Gases''
     Table 3--``Initial Isolation and Protective Action 
Distances for Different Quantities of Six Common TIH Gases''
    8. When calling any of the Emergency Response Telephone Numbers 
listed in ERG2016, have you experienced a busy telephone line, 
disconnection, or no response? If so, please describe.
    9. What format(s) of the ERG do you use (hardcopy, electronic, 
online, mobile applications, etc.), and why?
    10. How often do you use the ERG in a dangerous goods 
transportation emergency?
    In addition to the specific questions listed in this notice, PHMSA 
is also interested in any supporting data and analyses that will 
enhance the value of the comments submitted.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 10, 2018.
William S. Schoonover,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-11055 Filed 5-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-60-P

23996 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2018 / Notices DATES: Comments must be submitted on Estimated Number of Responses: 64 PHMSA estimates the total burden from or before June 22, 2018. (four per respondent). this collection to be: ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding Estimated Hours per Response: 1. Number of Respondents: 148. the burden estimate, including Annual Estimated Total Annual Number of Responses: 148. suggestions for reducing the burden, to Burden Hours: 64. Number of Burden Hours: 12. Frequency of Response: Annually. Burden Cost: 151. the Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the Office of (Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of A. Background and Purpose the Secretary of Transportation, 725 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and The Federal hazardous materials 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503. 49 CFR 1.93.) transportation law, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et Comments are invited on: (a) Whether * * * * * seq., authorizes the Secretary of the proposed collection of information Transportation (Secretary) to issue and is necessary for the Department’s By Order of the Maritime Administrator. enforce regulations deemed necessary to performance; (b) the accuracy of the Dated: May 18, 2018. ensure the safe transportation of estimated burden; (c) ways for the T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr., hazardous materials in commerce. In Department to enhance the quality, Secretary, Maritime Administration. addition, the law directs the Secretary to utility and clarity of the information [FR Doc. 2018–11071 Filed 5–22–18; 8:45 am] provide law enforcement and fire- collection; and (d) ways that the burden BILLING CODE 4910–81–P fighting personnel with technical could be minimized without reducing information and advice for responding the quality of the collected information. to emergencies involving the The agency will summarize and/or DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION transportation of hazardous materials. include your comments in the request The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials for OMB’s clearance of this information Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) collection. Safety Administration developed the United States version of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the Emergency Response Guidebook [Docket No. PHMSA–2018–0055; Notice No. Nuns Jain, (757) 322–5801, Maritime (ERG) for use by emergency services 2018–10] Administration, U.S. Department of personnel to provide guidance for initial Transportation, 7737 Hampton Hazardous Materials: Revisions to the response to hazardous materials Boulevard, Building 19, Suite 300, Emergency Response Guidebook transportation incidents. Since 1980, it Norfolk, VA 23505 or Email: nuns.jain@ has been PHMSA’s goal that all public dot.gov. AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous emergency response personnel (e.g., SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Materials Safety Administration fire-fighting, police, and rescue squads) Title: Quarterly Readiness of Strategic (PHMSA), Department of Transportation have immediate access to the ERG. To Seaport Facilities Reporting. (DOT). date and without charge, PHMSA has OMB Control Number: 2133–0548. ACTION: Notice; request for information. distributed more than 14.5 million Type of Request: Renewal of a copies of the ERG to emergency service Previously Approved Information SUMMARY: The Pipeline and Hazardous agencies and developed free online Collection. Materials Safety Administration resources and downloadable mobile Abstract: Pursuant to the Defense (PHMSA) is soliciting input on ways to applications to make the ERG more Production Act of 1950, as amended improve the Emergency Response accessible. Since 1996, PHMSA, (Pub. L. 111–67), E.O. 13603, E.O. 12656 Guidebook (ERG) as it develops the Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of and 46 CFR part 340, MARAD works 2020 edition (ERG2020). PHMSA is Communication and Transport of with the DoD to ensure national defense particularly interested in input from Mexico have developed the ERG as a preparedness. Accordingly, MARAD emergency services personnel who have joint effort, with the assistance of issues Port Planning Orders (PPOs) to experience using the ERG to respond to interested parties from government and Department of Defense-designated hazardous materials transportation industry, including Argentina’s Strategic Commercial Seaports in order incidents. Chemical Information Center for to provide the Department of Defense ADDRESSES: An email address has been Emergencies (CIQUIME). ERG2020 will (DoD) port facilities in support of established for interested persons to be published in English, French, and military deployments during national submit their input: ERGComments@ Spanish. emergencies. The collection of quarterly dot.gov. Publication of ERG2020 will increase information is necessary to validate the public safety by providing consistent FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: port’s ability to provide the PPO emergency response procedures for delineated facilities to the DoD within Stephen Martinez, Outreach, hazardous materials transportation the PPO delineated time frame. Engagement and Grants Division (PHH– incidents in North America. To Quarterly reports will seek information 50), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials continually improve the ERG, PHMSA related to berthing capability, staging Safety Administration (PHMSA), 1200 is publishing this notice to inform and general availability of the port by New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC interested parties of an open-ended readiness hours. 20590–0001. Telephone number: (202) method to relate their experiences using Respondents: Strategic Commercial 366–4900, email: stephen.martinez@ the ERG and recommendations on how Seaports who have been designated by dot.gov. it could be modified or improved. If the Commander, Military Surface SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PHMSA receives comments that it daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Deployment and Distribution Command cannot feasibly consider prior to the Paperwork Reduction Act: (SDDC) and who have been issued a publication of ERG2020, then such PPO by MARAD. The collection of this information has comments will be considered for Affected Public: Business and other been approved under OMB Control subsequent versions of the ERG. for Profit. Number 2105–0573, ‘‘Generic Clearance In addition to this notice, PHMSA Estimated Number of Respondents: for the Collection of Qualitative will publicize its interest in receiving 16. Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.’’ input on ERG2020 through future VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:33 May 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2018 / Notices 23997 announcements to emergency responder assigned to? If not, please explain and Director for Sanctions Compliance & associations, during training and recommend a correction. Evaluation, tel.: 202–622–2490; education seminars, and during 7. How could we change/improve the Assistant Director for Licensing, tel.: activities with State and local introduction and description of the 202–622–2480; Assistant Director for government agencies. PHMSA has Green Pages, or any of the following Regulatory Affairs, tel. 202–622–4855; established an email address for tables? or the Department of the Treasury’s interested persons to submit their input • Table 1—‘‘Initial Isolation and Office of the General Counsel: Office of (see ADDRESSES). Protective Action Distances’’ the Chief Counsel (Foreign Assets • Table 2—‘‘Water Reactive Materials Control), tel.: 202–622–2410. B. Emergency Response Guidebook Which Produce Toxic Gases’’ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Questions • Table 3—‘‘Initial Isolation and To assist in the gathering of Protective Action Distances for Different Electronic Availability information, PHMSA solicits input from Quantities of Six Common TIH Gases’’ The Specially Designated Nationals ERG users on experiences using, and 8. When calling any of the Emergency and Blocked Persons List and additional concerns with, the 2012 and 2016 Response Telephone Numbers listed in information concerning OFAC sanctions editions. We are interested in any ERG2016, have you experienced a busy programs are available on OFAC’s comments stakeholders and users wish telephone line, disconnection, or no website (www.treasury.gov/ofac). to provide, but are particularly looking response? If so, please describe. 9. What format(s) of the ERG do you Notice of OFAC Action(s) for answers to the following questions: 1. How can we make the ERG more use (hardcopy, electronic, online, On May 17, 2018, OFAC determined user-friendly for first responders during mobile applications, etc.), and why? that the property and interests in the initial response phase of a 10. How often do you use the ERG in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of hazardous materials transportation a dangerous goods transportation the following individuals and entities incident? Please provide examples. emergency? are blocked under the relevant sanctions 2. Does ERG2016 effectively In addition to the specific questions authority listed below. emphasize the most useful information listed in this notice, PHMSA is also interested in any supporting data and Individuals for the initial response phase? 3. Have you encountered conflicting analyses that will enhance the value of 1. SAFI–AL–DIN, Abdallah (a.k.a. or ambiguous guidance messages when the comments submitted. SAFIEDDINE, Abdullah); DOB 08 Jul using the ERG and other sources of Issued in Washington, DC, on May 10, 1960; Additional Sanctions technical information? 2018. Information—Subject to Secondary 4. Are there ways we could improve William S. Schoonover, Sanctions Pursuant to the Hizballah the White Pages? For example: Financial Sanctions Regulations; Gender Associate Administrator for Hazardous • Did you find the ‘‘How to Use this Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Male; Passport 3527575 (Lebanon); Guidebook’’ flow chart on page 1 of Materials Safety Administration. Identification Number 637166 ERG2016 useful in understanding how [FR Doc. 2018–11055 Filed 5–22–18; 8:45 am] (Lebanon) (individual) [SDGT] (Linked to use the ERG? Please explain why or To: HIZBALLAH). BILLING CODE 4910–60–P why not. Designated pursuant to section 1(c) of • Do you believe we should reformat Executive Order 13224 of September 23, the tables, charts, and the information 2001, ‘‘Blocking Property and DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Prohibiting Transactions With Persons they provide (i.e., Table of Placards, Rail Identification Chart, and Road Trailer Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Office of Foreign Assets Control Identification Chart)? What changes do Support Terrorism’’ (E.O. 13224) for you think would make them more Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action acting for or on behalf of HIZBALLAH, useful, clear, and easy to read and use? an entity determined to be subject to • What other identification charts AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets E.O. 13224. should we add, if any? What other Control, Treasury. 2. BAZZI, Mohammad Ibrahim (a.k.a. subject(s) should we address? ACTION: Notice. BAZZI, Mohamed; a.k.a. BAZZI, • How could we improve the Muhammad Ibrahim; a.k.a. BAZZI, information the ERG provides on SUMMARY: The Department of the Muhammed), Adnan Al-Hakim Street, chemical, biological, and radiological Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Yahala Bldg., Jnah, Lebanon; transportation incidents? Can you Control (OFAC) is publishing the names Eglantierlaan 13–15, 2020, Antwerpen, suggest information to include or of two individuals and five entities that Belgium; Villa Bazzi, Dohat Al-Hoss, remove? have been placed on OFAC’s Specially Lebanon; DOB 10 Aug 1964; POB Bent • Do you find the terms in the Designated Nationals and Blocked Jbeil, Lebanon; nationality Lebanon; alt. Glossary appropriate and current? What Persons List based on OFAC’s nationality Belgium; Additional terms should we add? What terms determination that one or more Sanctions Information—Subject to should we remove or change? applicable legal criteria were satisfied. Secondary Sanctions Pursuant to the 5. In ERG2016’s Yellow or Blue Pages, All property and interests in property Hizballah Financial Sanctions have you found any identification subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these Regulations; Gender Male; Passport number and/or material name that persons and these entities are blocked, EJ341406 (Belgium) expires 31 May seems to be assigned to an incorrect and U.S. persons are generally 2017; alt. Passport 750249737; alt. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Guide number? If so, please note the prohibited from engaging in transactions Passport 899002098 (United Kingdom); identification number, material name, with them. alt. Passport 487/2007 (Lebanon); alt. the Guide number, and suggest a new DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Passport RL3400400 (Lebanon); alt. Guide number with your reasons why. section. Passport 0236370 (Sierra Leone); alt. 6. Do the Orange Guide Pages contain FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Passport D0000687 (The Gambia) recommendations and responses that OFAC: Associate Director for Global (individual) [SDGT] (Linked To: are appropriate to the material they are Targeting, tel.: 202–622–2420; Assistant HIZBALLAH). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:33 May 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1


Document Created: 2018-05-22 23:49:14
Document Modified: 2018-05-22 23:49:14
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; request for information.
ContactStephen Martinez, Outreach, Engagement and Grants Division (PHH-50), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone number: (202) 366-4900, email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 23996 
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