I am not a big fan of government intervention, but in the safety envelope, they play a role in validating that minimum standards are being met. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audits service providers who inspect HAZMAT transportation containers. Beginning in June 2023, during an investigation at a manufacturer in Fresno, California, FMCSA personnel discovered that 186 DOT specification CTMVs—primarily MC-330 and MC-331 CTMVs used to transport propane—had been tested and inspected by a person who did not meet the qualifications of a “Registered Inspector.”
MC-330 and MC-331 CTMVs transporting propane must successfully undergo internal and external visual inspections, and leakage and pressure tests at intervals specified in § 180.407(c) of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). The inspections and tests conducted on the 186 CTMVs included internal visual inspections and pressure tests dating back to July 2018, and external visual inspections and leakage tests dating back to July 2022.
The affected CTMVs must be retested and reinspected by a qualified “Registered Inspector” to ensure they are compliant for hazardous materials transportation. Any person in possession of a CTMV described in this notice should contact the manufacturer to determine whether its CTMV is in compliance with the HMR.
CLICK HERE for this notice