SYSTEM SAFETY PLAN FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES USING HYDROGEN AS AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL

This System Safety Plan (SSP) guidance document was the result of Task 4 of a project to help
ensure overall safety of commercial vehicle fleets that implement hydrogen systems and
equipment. System safety planning and managementare considered important activities required
to successfully implement and safely operate hydrogen systems on commercial vehicles. This
guidance document is intended to serve the following purposes:
• To provide guidance on recommended elementsof an SSP for commercial vehicle fleet
operators that plan to implement hydrogen systems and equipment
• To establish a recommended format for an SSP
• To document the means and expertise of the commercial vehicle fleet operator for
implementing a sound, effective, proactive SSP to reduce accidents related to hydrogen
systems
This report provides guidance in the development of system safety programs for commercial
vehicle fleet operators interested in or operating hydrogen systems and equipment. The key
aspects of preparing an SSP include:
• Policies, authority, and administration
• Hazard identification and management
• Operating rules, training and procedures
• System safety reviews and audits
This report is not intended to be an in-depth specification to be used by Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs) or other vendors/suppliers in order to design and build hydrogen systems
and equipment. The responsibility for safety design standards, including hydrogen systems and
equipment, falls under the jurisdiction of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA). However, once hydrogen systems and equipment are placed in service in a
commercial vehicle fleet, regulatory responsibility for operations and maintenance falls under the
FMCSA.