[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66598-66599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27852]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 171

[Docket No. RSPA-99-5013 (HM-229)]
RIN 2137-AD21


Hazardous Materials: Revisions to Incident Reporting Requirements 
and the Hazardous Materials Incident Report Form

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; status.

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SUMMARY: In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on July 3, 
2001, RSPA (we) proposed changes to RSPA's Hazardous Materials Incident 
Report (DOT Form F 5800.1). This notice is to inform the public that we 
have contracted with a professional form development contractor to 
provide recommendations for the layout of the form consistent with 
RSPA's goals outlined in the NPRM. Also, the contractor will provide a 
web-based form to fulfill RSPA's goal of electronic, internet-based 
reporting and will draft detailed instructions to assist in completing 
the forms. Members of the regulated community may be contacted to 
participate in focus groups to test the proposed form and subsequent 
alternative layouts developed by the contractor. The contract is 
expected to be completed by December 31, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For comments or questions concerning 
the contract discussed in this update, contact Ron DiGregorio at the 
Office of Hazardous Materials Planning and Analysis, telephone (202) 
366-4484, Research and Special Programs Administration. For comments or 
questions concerning the NPRM or rulemaking, contact Michael Johnsen at 
the Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, telephone (202) 366-8553 
or Kevin Coburn, at the Office of Hazardous Materials Planning & 
Analysis, telephone (202) 366-4555, Research and Special Programs 
Administration.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On July 3, 2001, RSPA (``we'') published an NPRM (66 FR 35155) 
proposing revisions to the incident reporting requirements of the 
Hazardous Materials Regulations and the hazardous materials incident 
report form, DOT Form F 5800.1. Our intent is to improve the clarity of 
the form to make it more user-friendly and to allow for electronic 
scanning of the form.
    We included a proposed revision to DOT Form F 5800.1 in the NPRM 
that incorporated elements found in recent versions of the U.S. Census 
form and other government forms that are subjected to scanning for 
electronic data storage, retrieval and analysis. We received several 
comments concerning the layout of the form, which will be addressed in 
the final rule. However, we believe that the recommendations of a 
company well experienced in developing these types of forms could 
further improve the usefulness of the form. The contractor will 
consider incorporating recommendations on the format from commenters 
into its suggested layouts. RSPA will review the suggestions submitted 
by the contractor in addition to comments received in response to the 
NPRM, during the development of the revised form that will be part of 
the final rule.
    It is important to note that the final content (i.e., specific 
information which will be reported) of the form will be determined by 
RSPA. The contractor will use the content of the proposed form as 
published in the NPRM and will maintain the data elements as they 
appear in the proposed form, though wording and order of the questions 
may vary.
    RSPA seeks to compile an accurate database of incidents meeting the 
criteria specified in Sec.  171.16. A form that can be completed easily 
and accurately will assist us in compiling accurate data and reduce the 
information collection burden on the regulated community.
    A comprehensive set of instructions for completing the form will 
answer questions a filer may have without requiring the filer to 
contact us directly. Clear and concise instructions will also improve 
the accuracy of the data submitted by providing examples and 
explanations for each of the questions posed on the form.

[[Page 66599]]

    We believe that a web-based DOT Form F 5800.1 that can be completed 
online is essential to our efforts for reducing burden on members of 
the regulated community and obtaining accurate reporting data. It also 
assists us in meeting our obligations under the Government Paperwork 
Elimination Act to accept electronic documents for transactions 
conducted with the public and regulated communities. In addition to 
reducing paperwork and postage costs, the on-line version of the form 
will include logic patterns to minimize accidental errors and remove 
non-required questions, as the form will ``respond'' to the data 
entered into it. This will reduce the time required to complete the 
form.
    RSPA retains final authority as to the format and content of the 
incident report form.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2002.
Robert A. McGuire,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 02-27852 Filed 10-31-02; 8:45 am]
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