[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]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P