DGAC's 30 Greatest Accomplishments
This year the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council is turning 30 and we've pulled out all of the stops in our year-long celebration.
Please stay tuned to this section on the website, where for the next 30 weeks we will be highlighting special achievements and
moments in our history. Members may make additional suggestions online here.
Were kicking-off the 30 Accomplishments feature with the events leading up to our incorporation on October 17, 1978. Please direct
any feedback to our online form.
#1 DGAC's Incorporation in 1978
In the Beginning
As DGAC members and staff reflect on the past 30 years, a thorough look back at the history of DGAC truly begins 38 years ago in 1970.
Under the guidance of the Transportation Association of America, an informal shipper group concerned with DOT actions on the movement
of hazardous materials met December 2, 1970.
Following a lengthy discussion during which shippers expressed their frustrations with the current DOT process, the group formed an
ad-hoc committee to coordinate and communicate industry viewpoints, positions and concerns to DOT regarding rules and
regulations involving hazardous materials shipments. The group was called the Transportation Association of America Ad Hoc
Committee on Hazardous Materials (TAA-HMC).
The group agreed during a January 1971 meeting that the TAA-HMC should analyze and detail the quantity of work generated by DOT
and determine methods for obtaining significant reform in DOT procedures and more responsive consideration of industry opinions.
During the next 18 months, the TAA-HMC met to discuss short- and long-range goals and the need to conduct a study of DOT procedures.
As a result of the successful discussions of Docket Number HM-103 by the TAA-HMC group on September 25, 1971, the group's Steering
Committee decided to expand activities to include work on the substantive portion of hazardous materials dockets that had
across-the-board implications. A committee was formed in December 1972 to investigate formalization of TAA-HMC as an organization.
The Early Days
The first member newsletter was published in 1975.
Click to enlarge and read.
On May 30, 1973, TAA-HMC adopted its first set of bylaws. 1974 marked the first appearance of the HMAC logo as the TAA-HMC became
the Hazardous Materials Advisory Committee, "an independent organization under the aegis of the Transportation Association of
America." That year also marked the first symposium, held in Chicago, and the first year members were charged dues.
HMAC published its first Advisory Bulletin to members June 12, 1975. The bulletin provided updates on legislation, regulation and
training and encouraged members to share information of any issues of broad significance that should be passed along to the membership.
It was a simple, type-written notice on a single sheet of yellow paper, yet it marked the beginning of DGAC's commitment to keeping
its members informed. The Advisory Bulletin eventually evolved into the Courier, DGAC's newsletter from 1981 through 2000.
HMAC distributed its first membership brochure in 1976, which was also the year it created a Membership Committee devoted to
promoting HMAC and soliciting new members. The Red Diamond Training program launched in 19 cities, examining HM-103 and HM-112.
The next year, the International Regulation Advisory Committee (later known as INTEREC) was formed, and DOT agreed to increase the
degree of public participation in the development of US positions on international regulations. A representative from HMAC was
welcomed as an advisor to the US delegation for the first time.
Also in 1977, HMAC published the very first membership directory—and the only one that would ever read Hazardous Materials
Advisory Committee. HMAC had 211 members at the time and three standing committees. Dues were $150 per company. In December,
the Executive Committee voted to immediately incorporate and officially change the name to the Hazardous Materials Advisory Council.
On October 17, 1978, Bruce Hamill of the National Paint & Coatings Association, Clifford Harvison of National Tank Truck
Carriers, Inc., and William G. Kahler II of Union Carbide Corporation signed the articles of incorporation.
View HMAC's (DGAC's) original certificate of incorporation.
Looking Forward
Since incorporation, DGAC has become an internationally-recognized player in global dangerous goods transportation advocacy.
The missions and objectives of the organization may have shifted in wording over the past three decades, but the intent has remained
the same: promoting safety in dangerous goods transportation world-wide.
Coming next week, the birth of DGAC's Training Program.
Parts of this story were reproduced from the January 1998 edition of the Courier, DGAC's long-standing member newsletter.
