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                        Railroad Safety
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                        Hazardous Materials


            
            In This Section
        Hazardous Materials
                Movement Approvals
                Hazmat Training and Outreach
                                Overview
                HM Training Seminar - July, 2013 Reno, NV
                HM Training Seminar - September, 2013 Billings, MT
                One-Time Movement Approval (OTMA) Webinar
                2016 Alaskan Shipper Outreach Presentations
                HM Training Seminar - Austen, 2018
                Contact Us
      
   Related Links
          FRA Hazardous Materials Transportation Research and Development
                                                        Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
                
                Hazardous Materials
    

    
    
    
      HazMat Tanks on a Railroad Track

FRA administers a safety program that oversees the movement of hazardous materials throughout the Nation’s rail transportation system, including international shipments transported to and from the United States. The terms “hazardous materials” and “dangerous goods” include energy products, chemicals, hazardous wastes, and radioactive materials. FRA also oversees the movement of packages marked to indicate compliance with a Federal or international hazardous materials standard, even if the packages do not contain a hazardous material.

**FRA’s safety program includes the following activities:**

Providing direction and guidance regarding hazardous materials safety and security enforcement, including inspections and audits.
	Coordinating efforts with industry to eliminate non-accident releases of hazardous materials in rail transportation.
	Coordinating hazardous materials safety and security programs with other DOT operating administrations, state and local organizations, and industry stakeholder groups.
	Participating with industry and professional organizations to establish voluntary standards related to the reliability, safety, and serviceability of bulk packages used for the transportation of hazardous materials by rail.

            Expand All
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        **Regulations (49 CFR)**
        171-General information, regulations, and definitions:
	172-Hazardous materials table, special provisions, hazardous materials communications, emergency response information, and training requirements
	173-Shippers-general requirements for shipments and packagings
	174-Carriage by rail
	178-Specifications for packagings
	179-Specifications for tank cars
	180-Continuing qualification and maintenance of packagings
  


      **Hazardous Materials Information**
        Civil Penalties
	Compliance Manual
	Emergency Orders
	Hazardous Materials Guidance (HMG 101-127)
	High-Hazard Flammable Train Route Assessment & Legacy Tank Car Focused Inspection Program Summary Report
	Letter to BNSF: FRA Authority to Regulate Dual-Fuel Locomotives and Fuel Tenders
	Maximizing Size and Weight: A White Paper for Tank Cars greater than 263k
	NAFTA:  Hazardous Materials Standard Related Measures
	National Hazardous Materials AudiIts
	Obtaining FRA Approval for Testing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Locomotives and Tenders
	Operating Certain Railroad Tank Cars in Excess of 263,000 Pounds Gross Rail Load; Approval
	Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation Safety
	Safety Advisories
	Safety Coordination and Compliance Oversight Plan for Rail Transportation of High-Level Radioactive Waste and Spent-Nuclear Fuel
	Safe Placement of Train Cars: A ReportUse of Dedicated Trains for Transportation of High-Level Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel
  


      **Tank Car Alternative Inspection and Test Program (AIP)**
        GATX FRA-AIP201901-C - April 8, 2022
	DOW FRA-AIP200701-B - Apr 8, 2022
	GATX FRA-AIP200409-B - Mar 4, 2021
	DOW FRA-AIP200204-01 - Mar 9, 2021
	UTLX FRA-AIP200203-03 - Dec 12, 2023
	BASF FRA-AIP201205-01 - Nov 9, 2020
	AITX FRA-AIP200611-01 - Nov 9. 2020

    
          Last updated: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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