On July 30, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will begin enforcing a safety permit program for carriers hauling certain hazardous materials in interstate and intrastate commerce.

The final rule was published in the June 30 Federal Register – the docket number is FMCSA-97-2180.

The rule covers the shipment of: radioactive materials; explosives; matter that’s toxic by inhalation; and shipments of compressed or self-generated liquid methane or natural gas or other liquefied gas.

To obtain a hazmat safety permit, motor carriers must have a “satisfactory” safety rating, a sufficient security program in place, be in compliance with hazmat regulations, and be registered with the Department of Transportation’s Research and Special Programs Administration.

Additionally, FMCSA is maintaining the written route plan required for radioactive materials. While a permitted material is in transportation, the driver must readily have available the telephone number of the dispatcher or route manager.

FMCSA also is requiring companies holding hazmat safety permits to develop a communications plan that allows for shipment tracking. A record of communications must be kept for six months and must contain the time of the call and the shipment location.

“The requirement in (the) final rule for companies to develop a communications plan requiring at least two calls per day is an effort to minimize the burden on industry, while creating a basic structure for tracking vehicles,” the FMCSA said.

Shipments containing highway route-controlled Class 7 radioactive materials are required to undergo pre-trip inspections by a federal, state or local inspector, or one that is contracted by the federal, state or local government.