The Department of Transportation’s Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has released a list of voluntary security measures designed to improve safety for motor carriers hauling hazardous materials (hazmat). The list was published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2001.
RSPA’s Federal Register notice states that, as a result of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, and subsequent threats related to biological materials, RSPA is engaged in a broad review of government and industry hazmat transportation safety and security programs. As part of this review, the Agency has established the Hazardous Materials Direct Action Group (Hazmat DAG), which has met with representatives of the hazmat industry, emergency response community, and state governments to discuss transportation security issues. Recognizing that, in the wrong hands, hazardous materials pose a significant security threat, particularly those that may be used as weapons of mass destruction, RSPA is warning that persons who offer, transport, or store hazmats in transit should review their security measures and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the security of hazmat shipments.
The notice contains over four dozen recommendations developed by the Hazmat DAG, which address development of security plans, personnel security, facility security, and en route security. The recommendations are similar to those contained in a general DOT alert issued last October, when every federal agency was reviewing its procedures to reduce the risk of terrorist threats. The hazmat industry already has implemented a number of voluntary measures.
RSPA’s recommendations can be found at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-3636-filed .
