The railroad industry formed the Bureau of Explosives (BOE) in 1907 as a self-policing agency to advance the safe transportation of explosives and other dangerous articles. In fact, the BOE developed the first hazmat safety rules, which the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) later expanded upon. Today, the BOE remains dedicated to helping carriers, shippers and container manufacturers continually improve hazardous materials transportation safety.

Railroad Hazmat Resource Toolkit


Hazmat Seminar

The Association of American Railroads BOE Hazmat Seminar has been suspended until further notice. We are looking for new and innovative ways to present updates, share information and create opportunities for networking and would appreciate your input.


Reference Materials

  • AAR CPC 1245 Pamphlet 34 BOEProvides general guidelines for the selection of tank cars and recommended procedures for loading and unloading of the cars. 


AAR / Hazmat and Emergency Response Database Industry Reference Files

AAR has released the 2018 pricing and order process for access to the Hazardous Materials Shipping Descriptions Data Base  (HMSDDB) and the Emergency Response Data Base (ERDB).

HMSDDB ERDB 2022 ORDER FORMinvoice Request Form


Tariff No. BOE-6000

Tariff No. BOE-6000 contains all the hazardous materials regulations currently issued by the US Department of Transportation. Unlike the US Code of Federal Regulations, which is published just once each year by the Government Printing Office, AAR updates and issues Tariff No. BOE-6000 on a quarterly basis. Offered in print as either a complete book that is published, updated and issued each quarter or through quarterly updated supplements of the changes to the regulations. Also available in electronic versions that include both the US Regulations as well as Transport Canada’s Dangerous Goods Regulations. Highlights include:

  • Highlighted changes showing exact wording of regulatory text that was changed.
  • Hazardous Materials User Charts.
  • Quick reference, detailed List of Regulatory Changes each quarter.
  • UN/NA Cross Reference Guide.
  • Publisher’s Note preceding each Part or Subpart summarizing in plain language the contents covered.
  • Enhanced Hazardous Materials Table includes additional codes in Col. 1 of §172.101 Hazardous Materials Table identifying those materials that are hazardous substances or marine pollutants and an added column for each entry linking it to the appropriate Emergency Response Guide.
  • Restrictions, including intermodal, for hazardous materials acceptance and transportation by rail.
  • Recommended placement of placards on containers and portable tanks.
  • Recommended methods for the safe loading and unloading of non-pressure (general service) and pressure tank cars.

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