Frits Wybenga is President of Dangerous Goods Transport Consulting, Inc. He has over 40 years of experience in the field of hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation. He was formerly (until 2005) the Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety in the U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Special Programs Administration (now known as the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration or PHMSA) where he had overall responsibility for RSPA’s hazardous materials safety program, including responsibilities for the security of hazardous materials in transportation.
He has extensive experience in the international dangerous goods rulemaking arena. He served as the US representative to numerous international bodies including the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, the International Civil Aviation Organization Dangerous Goods Panel, the International Maritime Organization’s dangerous goods subcommittee (DSC), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the North American Free Trade Agreement Dangerous Goods Transportation Working Group. He is highly respected by participants in these bodies serving as vice chairman of the UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods for eight years, vice chairman of the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel for four years and Chairman of the IMO Subcommittee on Bulk Chemicals for six years. He continues to participate in organizations such as the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods where he is continually instrumental in solving some of the most complex international transportation issues.
He keeps current on domestic and international hazardous materials/dangerous goods transport issues and frequently writes on topical issues as the Senior Technical Advisor to the Journal of Hazmat Transportation.
He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Business Administration. He is a former US Coast Guard Officer and has extensive marine transportation experience. He qualified as a registered professional engineer (chemical) in the District of Columbia.
Recognition of his contributions to hazardous materials (dangerous goods) transport safety include:
- 2003 Industry Safety Achievement Award, for contributions to safety in the public interest;
- 2000 George L. Wilson Award recipient, Dangerous Goods Advisory Council, for outstanding contributions to the safe transportation of hazardous materials;
- 1999 Secretary’s Silver Metal for leadership in the development of the United Nations Model Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, US Department of Transportation; and
- 1985 Secretary’s Silver Metal for negotiating amendments to the International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, US Department of Transportation.
Dangerous Goods Transport Consulting Inc. 