IHMM Today is an online publication of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management® (IHMM®).

Other than content specifically provided by IHMM, articles contained in IHMM Today are compiled from

independent sources and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IHMM.

IHMM launched its “Open to Work” online COLLABORATION community exclusively for IHMM certificants looking to connect, share resumes, and discover job opportunities together in a supportive environment.

You can find this community after logging into COLLABORATION here: https://community.ihmm.org/home

Sean Grady, CHMM – Environmental Transformation Podcast

Sponsored Content

41 Groups Challenge EPA’s PFAS Reporting Rule

A coalition of 41 environmental and public health organizations has formally challenged the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to narrow the PFAS reporting rule issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act, characterizing the rollback as “arbitrary and capricious” under the Administrative Procedure Act. The coalition argues that weakening mandatory data collection undermines Congress’s intent to close information gaps on persistent, bioaccumulative chemicals that pose demonstrated risks to human health and the environment. The groups have openly signaled litigation should EPA finalize the amendments in their current form.

At the same time, several industry trade associations are pressing EPA to go further in scaling back compliance obligations, citing excessive cost, operational burden, and the inclusion of legacy or trace PFAS uses. This widening divide sets the stage for a dual-front legal battle: public interest groups challenging unlawful deregulation, and industry potentially contesting any residual reporting scope. Regardless of the final rule, judicial review appears likely, with courts poised to scrutinize EPA’s scientific justification, cost-benefit analysis, and adherence to TSCA’s risk-based framework.

Comments Letter Here

PHMSA Safety Advisory Addresses Risks Associated with the Use of Type-A Sleeves

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a safety advisory to hazardous liquid pipeline operators outlining the integrity risks associated with using Type-A sleeves as a method of repair. Repair sleeves consist of two pieces of steel welded together around a pipeline at the site of dents, scrapes, or other defects to provide structural reinforcement and help maintain and extend the line’s serviceability. PHMSA’s incident data includes a number of pipeline failures related to faulty Type-A sleeves, including a January 2025 jet fuel leak in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania.

Development of Methodologies for Managing Process Safety Risk Using Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) for LNG Facilities

Objective: The objective of this project was to develop structured methodologies for managing Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) techniques, such as Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA), specifically for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities. This included reviewing various PHA techniques, such as Preliminary Hazard Review (PreHA), Hazard Identification (HAZID), and Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA), to provide clear guidance on their application throughout an LNG facility’s lifecycle. Additionally, the project incorporated risk evaluation concepts—such as failure frequencies and hazard scenarios—to enhance the consistency and effectiveness of PHA implementation in the LNG industry. Project page and final reporting are available: Development of Methodologies for Managing Process Safety Risk Using Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) for LNG Facilities

LNG Knowledge Development, Develop Methodologies for Cryogenic and Fireproofing Requirements for LNG Facilities

Objective: The objective of this project was to develop methodologies and criteria for selecting, applying, and maintaining cryogenic and fireproofing systems to reduce the consequences of LNG releases and hydrocarbon fires at LNG facilities. The research focused on understanding how equipment and structural steel respond to extreme conditions, including high heat fluxes and cryogenic temperatures. The findings are intended to support the development of risk-informed design practices and mitigation strategies that improve the safety and performance of fireproofing systems at LNG facilities across the United States. Project page and final reporting are available: LNG Knowledge Development, Develop Methodologies for Cryogenic and Fireproofing Requirements for LNG Facilities

OSHA’s FY 2026 Outreach Initiatives

Letter of Interpretation on Recordkeeping and Personal Lithium-ion Batteries

We want to make you aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a new Letter of Interpretation (LOI) related to 29 CFR Part 1904 – Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses – clarifying whether injuries resulting from the use of personal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in the workplace are work-related for purposes of OSHA recordkeeping.

For more information on recordkeeping requirements and lithium-ion battery safety, please see the OSHA’s webpage on OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements and the OSHA Fact Sheet on Lithium-ion Battery Safety.

Creating the Water Workforce of the Future Webinar Series

Workforce Solutions in Action: NRWA’s Apprenticeship Program Driving Skilled Talent in Rural Water

February 17, 2026

1:00 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. Eastern Time

Register Here

Water sector utilities are essential to providing clean and safe water for every American. Within each utility, administrative professionals are critical to achieving compliance and to ensuring the technical, financial, and managerial capacity to address both current and future challenges, all while providing the reliable service, especially in small and rural communities.

Apprentice programs are an important approach to ensuring utilities have a fully trained and motivated workforce that can meet both current and future challenges and provide clean and safe water for all Americans.

This webinar will focus on the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) Apprenticeship Program. NRWA’s Apprenticeship Program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and provides guideline standards to State Rural Water Associations and offers training and tools for State Apprenticeship Coordinators to help build workforce capacity. Water utilities can participate in a little to no-cost, two-year training program through a State Association. This program combines classroom technical instruction and on-the-job training in an earn-while-you-learn model, resulting in a nationally recognized Water or Wastewater Operations Specialist credential, helping utilities develop skilled operators.

This webinar is part of an ongoing webinar series hosted by EPA, in partnership with leading water sector organizations around the country.

Attendance is free! Please register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Vc4T-vZIRwis0lW6x2OTEQ#/registration

Environmental News for This Week

Biennial Hazardous Waste Report – March 1

Federal regulations require large quantity generators to submit a report every two years regarding the nature, quantities and disposition of hazardous waste generated at their facility. EPA refers to this as the National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report or Biennial Report.

The Biennial Report form (EPA form 8700-13A/B) must be submitted to the authorized state agency or EPA regional office by March 1 of every even-numbered year (for example, a report due by March 1, 2026, would report activities from calendar year 2025). The form includes information such as:

• Facility’s EPA ID Number.
• Facility’s name and address.
• Quantity and nature of hazardous waste generated.
• Whether the hazardous waste was sent for recycling, treatment, storage, or disposal.

Read more here

Workplace Safety News This Week

IHMM is a Premier Partner of the Falls 2026 Campaign

May 4-8, 2026

What is a Safety Stand-Down?

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention”. Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards can also use this opportunity to have a conversation with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about falls and other job hazards they see.

• The 2026 hardhat sticker ordering form is open.

In the coming weeks, IHMM will be making materials available for the Falls 2026 Campaign!   In addition, IHMM is looking for 2 volunteers, each from a different construction company, who can tell a great story about how they prevent falls in construction.

Global DG Transport Regulatory Update This Week

IHMM Global DG Transport Compliance Matrix (2025–2026)

IHMM Certificant Compliance Checklist

Week of January 25-February 2, 2026

Executive Overview

The period January 25–February 2, 2026, reflects a steady-state enforcement phase in global DG regulation rather than a burst of new rulemaking. With ADR 2025 fully embedded, IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 mandatory, and ICAO Technical Instructions / IATA DGR 2026 in force, regulators are emphasizing inspection consistency, documentation accuracy, and harmonization with the UN Model Regulations.

Across regions, compliance risk this week is driven by how existing instruments are applied, especially for battery technologies (lithium-ion and sodium-ion), hazardous waste/asbestos, pressure receptacles, and undeclared DG in parcel and e-commerce channels.

II. United States — PHMSA Enforcement Sets the Effective Standard

A. No New Text, Continued Targeted Inspections

No amendments to 49 C.F.R. Parts 171–180 were published during this period. However, PHMSA continued applying its data-driven inspection and enforcement framework, with field activity concentrating on:

• Lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, including battery-powered equipment/vehicles;

• Pressure receptacles (cylinder manufacture, requalification, testing);

• Undeclared or misdeclared hazmat, notably in parcel, courier, and e-commerce shipments; and

• Repeat violators, identified through historical inspection and incident data.

Legal Significance

Enforcement posture continues to operate as de facto regulation. While the HMR text is unchanged, regulated parties—especially exporters—are increasingly expected to demonstrate functional equivalence with UN Model Regulations and ADR-aligned practices for classification, packaging, documentation, and training. Non-alignment elevates exposure to enforcement actions, contractual disputes, and insurance challenges.

Read more here

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2026, we are expanding our resources to support school safety nationwide. New videos on behavioral threat assessment will build on the School Threat Assessment Toolkit, along with practical tools for sustainable safety planning and a full, self-paced course. We are also launching learning paths to help you explore content that fits your context, expanding our Spotlights space, and continuing to enhance how we provide training and technical assistance. We welcome your questions, requests for support or resources, and media inquiries—visit our Contact Us page to get in touch.

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External Opportunities

2/18/26 – Preventing Mass Attacks in Our Communities
Hosted by the U.S. Secret Service

3/18/26 – Enhancing School Safety Using Behavioral Threat Assessment
Hosted by the U.S. Secret Service

4/15/26 – Preventing Mass Attacks in Our Communities
Hosted by the U.S. Secret Service

5/20/26 – Enhancing School Safety Using Behavioral Threat Assessment
Hosted by the U.S. Secret Service

Recent News from the European Chemicals Agency

• Update your REACH registrations
• We step up our conflict of interest prevention policy
• Our committees meet in February-March 2026
• Consultations on harmonised classification and labelling
• New proposal to harmonise classification and labelling
• Want to keep using silver phosphoborate glass in product-types 2, 7 and 9?
• New Chesar Platform – beta version available
• Decisions on REACH applications for authorisation
• General Court dismisses an action against the harmonised classification of DAPD/BENPAT as repro 1B