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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
                
                Movement Approvals
    

    
    
    
      FRA has the authority to issue one-time movement approvals (OTMAs) for bulk packages that no longer conform to the hazardous materials regulations contained in 49 CFR § 174.50. OTMAs are required for movement of nonconforming tank cars or any other bulk nonconforming packages designed, marked, or otherwise represented for the transportation of hazardous material.

Please see HMG-127 (issued October 7, 2014) for the guidelines to follow when applying for an OTMA.

            Expand All
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        **FRA Resources**
        HMG-127 [October 7, 2014]
	Hazardous Materials Regulations
	OTMA ePortal
  


      **Railroad Contact Information**
        Prior to requesting an OTMA from FRA, hazardous materials shippers must obtain written approval from the railroad(s) to offer a non-conforming bulk package for transportation under an OTMA. Hazardous materials shippers may use the contact information below to obtain written approval from the appropriate railroad(s). Please do not use these email addresses for any other purposes.

BNSF Railway
	CPKC
	CSX Transportation
	Canadian National
	Norfolk Southern Railway
	Union Pacific Railroad - OTMA Approvals: NCSC_Hazmat@up.com or Hazmat: hmm@up.com
  


      **Transport Canada Contact Information**
        In Canada, the transportation of dangerous goods is regulated by Transport Canada under theTransportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act andRegulations. Transport Canada has requirements for movements in Canada similar to FRA’s requirements for movements in the U.S. Contact Transport Canada at the email address and website below for additional information.



TDG Approvals Email Address
	Temporary Certificate Application
  


      **Motive Power & Equipment (MP&E)**
        Motive, Power & Equipment Regulations
	Movement Approvals
	Motive, Power & Equipment (MP&E) Contact
  


      **Overdue Tank Qualification**
        Please see49 CFR § 173.31(a)(3):If a car does not have a known defect AND is overdue for testing AND is either residue or clean, then no OTMA is required.
	Overdue for Qualification
	Does a car that is overdue for qualification require an OTMA?
  


      **Placards**
        Is an OTMA required for a damaged or missing placard?Per 49 CFR § 172.516(c) Visibility and Display of Placards an OTMA is not required for a damaged or missing placard.
  


      **Overloaded Cars**
        Overloaded by Volume
	OTMA approval is not granted for packages overloaded by volume. Grantee must unload the overage amount before moving the package in transportation. If circumstances cause immediate threat or harm to human health or to the environment, please contact HMASSIST@dot.gov.
	Overloaded cars containing non-hazardous material do not require an OTMA. Grantees must work with the carrier(s) directly regarding movement of the car(s).
  


      **AAR Specification Packaging**
        Are OTMAs required for AAR tank cars?
	YES – If the package is built to DOT Specification; NO - If the car is not built to DOT Specification.
  


      **OTMA Status Requests**
        What is the status of my OTMA?
	Status updates are no longer provided by email. Anyone emailing FRA regarding the status of an OTMA should not expect a response. Status updates may be found on the applicant’s dashboard in the ePortal.
  


      **Hazmat Function Specific Training**
        49 CFR § 172.704(a)(2)(i) - All persons submitting OTMAs must receive hazmat function-specific training from their respective employer in accordance with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 172.704(a)(2)(i). Failure to comply with the provisions of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) may result in recommendations for enforcement and civil penalties.
  


      **OTMA ePortal Guide**
        •    HelpDesk
•    Applicant and Tank Car Owner
•    Bulk Package Information 
•    Movement Information Original Location 
•    Movement Information Final Destination 
•    Defect Condition Information OTMA Type and Defect 
•    Defect Condition Information Commodity and Defect Description
•    OTMA Status
  


      **OTMA Confirmation Emails**
        •    OTMA confirmation emails are sent to every email included on an OTMA
•    OTMA 1s, OTMA 2s and OTMA 3s all receive confirmation emails
•    OTMA confirmation emails are provided as a courtesy only and are not required for moving a car on an OTMA-3. 
•    If an applicant does not receive a confirmation email after submitting an OTMA, they may check the status of the OTMA on their dashboard as confirmation that FRA has received the OTMA application. For more information, please review the OTMA Status tab under the OTMA ePortal Guide above.

    
          Last updated: Monday, February 5, 2024 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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