Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to the transportation of hazardous materials?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to the transportation of hazardous materials. This responsibility is crucial because hazardous materials pose significant risks during transport, including potential accidents, spills, or exposure to the public and the environment.

The DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) specifically oversees the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials across all modes of transportation, including highways, railroads, air, and water. They develop regulations that define how hazardous materials must be packaged, labeled, and handled during transit to ensure safety and compliance with federal laws.

The roles of other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, while important in their respective areas (environmental protection and workplace safety), do not focus specifically on the transportation of hazardous materials in the way that the Department of Transportation does. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s focus is primarily on research and recommendations for workplace safety rather than enforcement of transportation regulations.