The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a US Department of Transportation (DOT) agency, has extended enforcement discretion for cylinders exceeding retest date.
The PHMSA will not take enforcement action against anyone who fills a DOT-specification cylinder used to transport a Division 2.2 non-flammable gas provided the cylinder meets all requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) except that the cylinder is overdue for periodic requalification by no more than 12 months.
Due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and rising number of coronavirus cases in most US states (particularly Arizona, California, Florida and Texas), the PHMSA has extended a notice it initially issued in April.
In the extension notice, the PHMSA said, “…Many members of the medical and industrial gas industry may continue to experience difficulty in obtaining cylinders due to the increased demand for these gases or a disruption in the normal business model for cylinder exchanges. This has made it difficult for the industry to consistently obtain cylinders which can be filled in accordance with the requalification provisions…”
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