Hazmat Packager and Shipper - An Update on TSA Progress in Establishing a List of Security Sensitive Materials

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An Update on TSA Progress in Establishing a List of Security Sensitive Materials

As previously discussed in the January/February 2007 edition of HAZMAT Packager and Shipper, both the Transportation Security Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration have been considering what substances to regulate for security purposes. Industry has been keen on PHMSA paring down its list of substances requiring the preparation of a security plan. Recently, TSA officials indicated that they have completed work on a list of Highway Security Sensitive Materials (HSSM) that is included in a regulatory proposal working its way through the clearance process at the Department of Homeland Security. In this report Mr. Wybenga discusses Security Action Items, and the HSSM list compared to other Hazmat security lists.

As previously discussed in the January/February 2007 edition of HAZMAT Packager and Shipper, both the Transportation Security Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration have been considering what substances to regulate for security purposes. Industry has been keen on PHMSA paring down its list of substances requiring the preparation of a security plan. All would like to see a consistent approach by TSA and PHMSA on what materials actually pose a security risk. Recently, TSA officials indicated that they have completed work on a list of Highway Security Sensitive Materials (HSSM) that is included in a regulatory proposal working its way through the clearance process at the Department of Homeland Security. As the name implies, the HSSM list will only be applicable to materials transported by highway.

Under TSA’s plan, HSSM would be subdivided into two tiers with tier 1 representing the more hazardous materials from a security perspective. While the issue is fluid at the present time with draft legislation currently under consideration, TSA is expected to use the HSSM list as a basis for deciding which drivers should be subject to fingerprint based background checks. In addition, TSA has identified a list of voluntary Security Action Items (SAIs) it considers appropriate for transporting these materials. The action items include provisions on (1) general security (security assessment, inventory control, protection of information), (2) personnel (background checks, training for drivers and other personnel), (3) unauthorized access (access control of drivers, employees and vendors), and (4) enroute security measures. A list of enroute SAIs being contemplated is shown in Table 1. TSA will work with industry to implement the voluntary measures. Some of the SAIs may be impracticable for certain operations and this will need to be communicated to TSA as it progresses further in advancing security requirements.

Table 1: List of TSA Security Action Items for Enroute Security

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