Chemical Transportation Incidents – Week of 3-28-26

Reporting Background 

See this post for explanation, with the most recent update here (removed from paywall). 

Data from PHMSA’s online database of transportation related chemical incidents that have been reported to the agency. 

Incidents Summary  

• Number of incidents – 495 (462 highway, 28 air, 5 rail, 0 water) 

• Serious incidents – 2 (2 Bulk release, 0 evacuation, 1 injury, 0 death, 0 major artery closed, 1 fire/explosion, 42 no release)  

• Largest container involved – 33,710-gal  Railcar {Petroleum Gases, Liquefied or Liquefied Petroleum Gas} Vapor line and liquid line valves partially open and closure plugs not properly secured. 

• Largest amount spilled – 225-gal Plastic IBC {Corrosive Liquid, Acidic, Inorganic, N.O.S.} Forklift strike. 

• Total amount reported spilled in all incidents – 1527.1-gal 

NOTE: Links above are to Form 5800.1 for the described incidents. 

Most Interesting Chemical: Sodium Bifluoride, Solid: Sodium bifluoride is a white crystalline solid. It is soluble in water. It is corrosive to tissue. It is used as a preservative for anatomical and zoological specimens, in metal plating, and for many other uses. (Source: CameoChemicals.NOAA.gov).  

OPM Sends Employee Suitability Final Rule to OMB

 Yesterday, the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs announced that it had received a final rule from the Office of Personnel Management on “Suitability and Fitness”. The notice of proposed rulemaking was published on June 3rd, 2025. 

According to the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda entry for this rulemaking: 

“The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) plans to finalize its rulemaking to amend the Federal Government personnel vetting adjudicative criteria for determining suitability or fitness.  The purpose of the proposed rule is to improve the rigor and timeliness by which OPM and agencies vet individuals for risk to the integrity and efficiency of the service, and to make clear that individuals who engage in serious misconduct while employed in Federal service are subject to the same suitability procedures and actions as applicants for employment.” 

This rulemaking would continue the Administration’s assault on civil service protections for federal employees in their attempt to ‘drain the swamp’.