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General Listing
Title of Listing:
DOT Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS)
Category:
Federal/National - Agencies
Subcategory:
US Department of Transportation-DOT, All Listings
Date:
Document #:
Web Site:
http://hazmat.dot.gov
Email:
Abstract:

The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS) is part of DOT's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA). The OHMS develops and issues regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous materials by all modes, excluding bulk transportation by water. The functions of the OHMS can be consolidated into five categories: regulatory development, enforcement, training and information dissemination, domestic and international standards, and inter-agency cooperative activities.

          This Office develops and recommends regulatory changes governing the multimodal transportation of hazardous materials. It develops long and short-term plans, schedules for hazardous materials regulatory actions and carries them out in accordance with the plan. When proposed regulations apply exclusively to a single mode, the OHMS develops and coordinates those regulations with the appropriate DOT Operating Administration before issuance.

          The OHMS develops hazardous materials safety training policies and programs. Training courses and other instructional materials are distributed for Government and industry personnel. The Emergency Response Guidebook is also developed and distributed through this Office. The OHMS serves as the DOT representative on the National Response Team. It maintains liaison with other Federal departments and agencies, State and local governments, international bodies, and non-government entities who are responsible for setting standards regarding the safe transportation of hazardous materials. In this capacity, the Office conducts public meetings and briefings and distributes literature from other Nations to governmental entities and interested citizens regarding U.S. participation in the activities of international hazmat standards-setting bodies.

          The Office represents the United States (before international standards-setting bodies) on technical issues of hazmat transportation. Technical assistance is provided to State and local governments in their efforts to enhance public safety and to avoid or resolve potential conflicts between different levels of Government. The OHMS serves as a focal point for hazardous materials studies and reports by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). It prepares responses to NTSB on hazmat transportation matters in coordination with other offices. The Office supports the National Response Center (NRC) operation, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. It also serves as the DOT liaison with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on hazmat transportation issues, and recommends enforcement actions to RSPA's Office of the Chief Counsel.

          Within the OHM, there are seven offices:

          1. Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
          2. Office of Hazardous Materials Technology
          3. Office of Hazardous Materials Exemptions and Approvals
          4. Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement
          5. Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and Training
          6. Office of Hazardous Materials Planning and Analysis
          7. International Standards Coordinator
Topics
Hazardous Materials/Substances, Transportation

Additional Topics/Tags/Keywords
Hazardous Materials, Transportation, Regulation, Standards, NTSB, NRC

Organization:
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS)
Address:
400 Seventh St. SW
Phone:
DescriptionNumber
City:
Washington
1.
Primary (202) 366-0656
State/Province/Territory:
DC
2.
Zip/Postal Code:
20590
3.
Country:
United States
4.
Fax:
Branch Locations: