[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54954-54955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26395]


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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]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P