FEATURE
To be clear, ‘simplifying’ doesn’t mean loosening Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR) or easing up on enforcement. It means looking at all applicable guidance holistically and finding ways to reconcile competing or confusing elements into a single source. This will help smooth the path for more enthusiastic collaboration.
The next step is establishing open lines of communication between parties to encourage self- reporting and proactive problem-solving. Both groups will need to collaborate to develop a framework for this program and commit to separating enforcement processes from information-sharing endeavours. This will help quell businesses’ concerns that self-reporters might face consequences for raising issues or concerns.
Of course, industry leaders will also need to stay open and flexible. They must be willing to balance industry’s guiding mission – to provide value to customers – with the government’s desire to protect people and the environment. Critically, all parties must shift their thinking and accept that neither goal will be reached unless they find more effective ways to work together to improve the ecosystem at large.
MOVING FORWARD, TOGETHER With so many diverse stakeholders and interests guiding
x.com/TomorrowsHS
hazmat transportation’s trajectory, it’s not surprising that the journey to alignment is ongoing. However, finding a model that works for everyone will be critical if those in the field hope to present a united front on health and safety for another group: the public.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) is already making efforts in this regard, having established the LNG Center for Excellence, an initiative focused on building cross-sector partnerships. Other markets may benefit from following this model, which aims to bring together leaders from both private and public organisations to discuss the challenges we all face. It’s this approach that will help government and industry collaborate and coordinate to drive economic success, research, innovation, and safer outcomes for citizens, communities, the environment, and businesses.
These shifts will be difficult at first, as the logistics of change on this level inevitably come with growing pains. However, with energy demands rising and environmental concerns at top of mind, the effort will send a compelling message to the public: we’re all working together to keep you safe and secure.
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