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Teamsters Call on House to Pass Hazmat Regulation
November 24, 2009The Teamsters Union today urged the House of Representatives to swiftly pass legislation tightening safety requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a hazardous materials safety bill last week. It requires lithium batteries on cargo airplanes to be stowed where the crew can reach them. Lithium cells and batteries can ignite on an airplane. "If these batteries ignite on a cargo aircraft, the crewmembers need to be able to reach them to put out the fire," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. In 2006, lithium batteries ignited in a cargo plane as it approached the airport, nearly killing the crew and destroying the aircraft. There have been several similar, smaller fires this year. The Teamsters represent 2,550 air cargo pilots at 15 cargo airlines. The Teamsters Union also supports the bill's provision that bans the transportation of flammable liquid in the loading lines of tank trucks. The standard has to be met within two years for newly manufactured vehicles. Full release.