P.M. Executive Briefing - June 23
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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or Carriers
RailAmerica Will Reduce Debt Through Asset Sales
The trailer manufacturer Kalyn/Siebert is one of the units RailAmerica will be selling off in order to cut its debt, the railroad holding company announced at its annual meeting.
Sen. Bond Says OSHA's Math Behind Ergo Rule Doesn't Add Up
Sen. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond, in a letter signed by 48 of his fellow senators and 167 House members, has requested that the Office of Management and Budget delay approving the proposed ergonomics standard from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.Bond, who heads the Committee on Small Business, questions the accuracy of the arithmetic backing the OSHA proposal and requested the math be recalculated in full. In February of last year, OSHA's original estimate for how much the rule would cost all businesses was roughly $1.75 billion, but that was raised to $4.2 billion when the final proposal came out
n November.
The Small Business Administration contends that the actual cost would probably be two to fifteen times higher than OSHA's projections. The American Trucking Associations has said the proposal would cost the trucking industry $6.5 billion a year. U.S. Newswire (06/22/00)
Federal Grant Issued for Green Delivery Trucks
The U.S. Department of Transportation has given the Northeast Alternative Vehicle Coalition $262,000 to develop a prototype delivery van powered by batteries, which will be charged continuously by a generator turned by a micro-turbine.The U.S. Postal Service will be the first user of the Hybrid CitiVan, which will later be used by the Massachusetts Port Authority. The micro-turbine, a small jet engine made by Capstone Turbine, will enable the vehicle to be 800 pounds lighter than a battery-electric van developed earlier. The turbine itself will run on compressed natural gas.
Experts say the price tag on this technology is likely too high for cars but could be feasible on commercial vehicles. The $262,000 federal grant will be matched by other participants in the project. Norfolk Virginian-Pilot Online (06/23/00); Dinsmore, Christopher
Hazardous Materials Movement in Cities Becoming More Complicated for Carriers
Roy Acton, safety director at Mission Petroleum Carriers, and Scott Turner, president of HMHTTC Response Organization, spoke at the National Tank Truck Carriers Safety Council seminar about issues affecting hazmat movement in urban areas.Acton saod trial left-lane restrictions have gone into effect in parts of Houston from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, while San Antonio is set to limit through traffic. Acton added that other cities are considering hazmat routing. When responding to a hazmat incident, Turner recommended, a company should have a representative speak to the media so reporters will not get inaccurate information from other sources.
Turner also said that companies should also pay attention to how they deal with police, fire, and rescue authorities, since they might not be properly trained for a situation. A tank trailer involved in an accident should not be uprighted while the product is still in it, but it should also be grounded and bonded before anyone works on it, Turner added. Modern Bulk Transporter (06/00) Vol. 62, No. 12; P. 48
ompiled by Transport Topics staff and INFORMATION, INC. © 2000
