Study of the Applicability of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) or Similar Methodologies to the Transportation of Hazardous Materials

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-99-5143, Notice No. 99-10]

Study of the Applicability of Hazard Analysis and Critical

Control Points (HACCP) or Similar Methodologies to the Transportation

of Hazardous Materials

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises interested persons of an exploratory

meeting with stakeholders in industry, government, and the public to

obtain input concerning a study on the applicability of Hazard Analysis

and Critical Control Points (HACCP) or similar methodologies for

managing risks posed by hazardous materials transportation. RSPA

anticipates that the study will lead to voluntary, ``best-practices''

risk management techniques applicable to the various parties involved

in hazardous materials transportation, and may eventually identify a

need for changes to the current regulatory system.

DATES: Public Meeting Date: RSPA's contractor, ICF Consulting, will

host the public meeting on November 4-5, 1999. The meeting will be held

on November 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on November 5 from 8:30

a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Comment Date: Comments or suggestions should be submitted on or

before November 30, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Public Meeting: The public meeting will be held at the

Transportation Research Board, Green Building, 2001 Wisconsin Avenue,

N.W., Washington, D.C.

Written Comments: Address comments to the Dockets Unit, U.S.

Department of Transportation, Room PL 401, 400 Seventh St., SW,

Washington, D.C. 20590-0001. Comments should identify the docket and

notice numbers (Docket No. RSPA-99-5143; Notice No. 99-10) and be

submitted in two copies. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of

receipt of their comments should include a self-addressed stamped

postcard. Comments may also be submitted to the docket electronically

by logging onto the Dockets Management System website at http://

dms.dot.gov. Click on ``Help & Information'' to obtain instructions for

filing the document electronically. In every case, the comment should

refer to the Document number ``RSPA-99-5413''.

The Dockets Unit is located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif

Building at the U.S. Department of Transportation at the above address.

Public dockets may be reviewed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. Internet users may

access all comments received by the U.S. Department of Transportation

by using the Universal Resource Locator (URL) at http://dms.dot.gov. An

electronic copy of the document may be downloaded using modem and

suitable communications software from the Government Printing Office's

Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Hoff, ICF Consulting, telephone

number (703) 934-3045 or via email at [email protected]; or A.

Douglas Reeves, Research and Special Programs Administration, telephone

number (202) 366-4545 or via email at [email protected].

For information on facilities or services for individuals with

disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact

Scott Holland at (202) 366-0002 as soon as possible.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system,

first developed by the Pillsbury Company in cooperation with the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, consists of the

following steps: (1) Analyze hazards, (2) identify critical control

points, (3) establish preventive measures with critical limits for each

control point, (4) establish procedures to monitor critical control

points, (5) establish corrective actions to take when monitoring shows

that a critical limit has not been met, (6) establish procedures to

verify that the system is working properly, and (7) establish effective

recordkeeping. While the most recent experience in broadening the

application of the concept occurs with respect to food safety, the

HACCP approach may have relevance in other safety systems, including

hazardous materials transportation. In addition, other risk management

techniques may prove to have potential for adaptation in the latter

context.

The Vice President's National Performance Review urged

implementation of HACCP based systems to ensure food manufacturers

identify points where contamination is likely to occur and implement

process controls to prevent it. On December 18, 1995, the Food and Drug

Administration published a final rule, effective on December 18, 1997,

that requires processors of fish and fishery products to develop HACCP

systems for their operations. The Department of Agriculture also has

applied this methodology to the meat and poultry industry effective

January 26, 1998.

Study Description

RSPA has contracted with ICF Consulting, Fairfax, VA, to study the

applicability of HACCP or similar methodologies to the transportation

of hazardous materials. The study encompasses two overriding goals: (1)

To examine the risk management aspects of hazardous materials

transportation to determine how HACCP or similar methodologies might

play a role, and (2) To undertake one or two pilot applications of

HACCP or similar methodologies to better understand their practical

applicability and usefulness in promoting the safe transportation of

hazardous materials. Performance of the contract will be over a one-

year period.

The work being performed by ICF Consulting for RSPA consists of the

following tasks, which RSPA expects may be refined as efforts proceed

and as a result of public input:

(1) Exploratory Meeting. Conduct an open meeting with stakeholders

in industry, government, and the public to solicit ideas, input, and

support.

(2) Current System Evaluation. Characterize elements of hazardous

materials transportation that involve hazard analysis and generically

identify control points within the program. Perform this task from the

perspective of the various participants: industry (shippers, carriers,

and associations), government (regulators and emergency response

personnel), and the public. Look at variations depending on mode of

transportation and materials involved. Compare on-going programs and

efforts, including those of the Chemical Manufacturers Association

[[Page 54955]]

(Distribution Code) and the nuclear industry. Assess the degree of

coverage of these efforts.

(3) Structural Definition. Define a theoretical structure for HACCP

or similar methodologies relative to hazardous materials

transportation. Determine what types of data are necessary to support

any methodology developed. Catalog the sources and types of currently

available data. Identify data that might need to be developed or

collected. Describe performance measures that could be used in

conjunction with such methodologies. Develop models for the application

of concepts in the various segments of the hazardous material

transportation system. Theoretical examples of its use might include a

framework for carrier analysis of undeclared hazardous materials in air

transportation and a model of regulated medical waste from the

standpoint of a shipper.

(4) Panel of Experts. Convene a panel of experts to evaluate and

help refine concepts. Analyze significant incidents in recent years

where changes or decisions at one or more of a series of control points

might have prevented the incidents or mitigated effects. Identify

elements of greatest risk in the current hazardous material

transportation system where use of HACCP or similar methodologies might

be beneficial.

(5) Pilot Applications. Seek out industry participants and use the

models developed in one or two prototype real-world applications for

hazardous materials transportation.

(6) Guidebook. Complete a guidebook on methodologies developed in

the course of this study. Include a series of examples of how concepts

can be applied in various situations. To the extent possible, work with

industry in completing a series of actual practical demonstrations

based on these examples.

(7) Implementation Strategy. Evaluate how HACCP or similar

methodologies adapted to hazardous materials transportation can best be

employed. Should it be offered as a guideline and used voluntarily?

Should it be required by regulation in certain instances? What are the

advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

(Note that Task 6 and Task 7 are optional and a decision on

whether to proceed with these will be made upon the completion of

previous tasks.)

Objectives

The objectives of the exploratory meeting include:

(1) Informing stakeholders on the purpose and the importance of

this project to RSPA;

(2) Educating participants about the HACCP concept;

(3) Identifying other risk management tools besides HACCP that

might be considered;

(4) Enumerating major issues that need to be resolved before

developing an approach;

(5) Developing a framework for Task 2 analysis and the

identification of hazards and critical control points from the

perspective of each of the major stakeholder segments B industry,

government, and the public;

(6) Identifying potential pilot applications; and

(7) Obtaining recommendations for the Panel of Exerts.

Meeting Agenda

The November 4 session will cover general information and

objectives. The November 5 session will consist of workshops addressing

specific topics. The meeting will be structured so that a balanced

group of stakeholders are the primary participants. Those wishing to

make a short presentation on industry segment or government risk

management programs on November 4 or those wishing to participate in

the workshops on November 5 should contact Jean Hoff, ICF Consulting,

telephone number (703) 934-3045 or via email at

[email protected], as far in advance of the meeting as possible.

The entire meeting is open for observation without prior arrangement.

The latest version of the agenda for this exploratory meeting also may

be obtained by contacting Jean Hoff.

Comments on RSPA's overall approach to the area or on specifics

that should be considered in conjunction with what is developed at the

exploratory meeting are welcome.

Alan I. Roberts,

Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.

[FR Doc. 99-26395 Filed 10-7-99; 8:45 am]

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