# Mr. Scott C. Morrison — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 03-0044  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2003-06-06

03-0044 concerning 173.33.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportatior
J.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
JUN -6 2003
Mr. Scott C. Morrison
2009 South Trillium Drive
Reference No. 03-0044
Aliquippa, PA 15001
Dear Mr. Morrison:
This in response to your letter concerning the requirement in paragraph 7.c. (4) of Exemption
DOT-E-11537 that prohibits offerors and carriers from loading on the same motor vehicle
intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) containing different hazardous materials that, if mixed,
would cause an unsafe condition to occur. You asked if the reason for segregating these
materials is essentially the same as that prescribed in 49 CFR 173.33(a)(2) and discussed in letter
Reference No. 98-0347.
The answer is yes. The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) contain
various requirements covering the loading of hazardous materials that would react dangerously
with each other and cause an unsafe condition to occur. For example, see §§ 173.21(e) and
parties involved must evaluate the potential risks posed by different materials that are loaded on
173.33(a)(2). As we stated in the referenced letter, because there are so many variables, the
the same motor vehicle.
Sincerely,
Hothe z. mitthell
Hattie L. Mitchell, Chief
Regulatory Review & Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.33
030044

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Edmonson
2009 S. Trillium Dr.
Scott C. Morrison
$|73,33
Aliquippa, PA 15001
(724) 375-6138
February 4, 2003
Cargo Tanks
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
03-0044
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
400 7th Street S.W
U.S. DOT/RSPA (DHM-10)
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
RE:
Exemption DOT E-11537
Interpretation Letter on 173.33(a)(2) to Denise E. Oas issued on 01/05/2000
Reference No. 98-0347
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
This letter is to follow up my telephone conversation with Eileen at the Hazardous Material
Information Center on 2/3/03 to request clarification of Item 7.c.(4) in DOT E-11537 (on
discharge from IBC's without removal from the vehicle which states:
"Two or more materials may not be loaded on the same vehicle if, as a result of any
mixture of the materials, an unsafe condition could occur."
While doing research on this exemption, I came across Interpretation Letter 98-0347 that
concerns the loading of material on the same multi-unit cargo tank. The wording in paragraph 1
of this letter and 49 CFR 173,33(a)(2) seems to be similar to the wording in the DOT E-11537:
"...This provision restricts a person form loading or accepting different materials on the
same multi-unit cargo tank motor vehicle if, as a result of any mixture of the materials,
(E added the emphasis to the wording in bold).
an unsafe condition would occur such as an explosion..
My question is whether the advice in Letter 98-0347 would also be applicable to Item 7.c. (4) of
the DOT E-115377 Specifically, the advice in paragraph 4 which states:
"Many factors affect how materials may react with each other...Because there are so
many variables, under the Hazardous Materials Regulations, the parties involved must
evaluate the potential risk posed by different materials that are offered and accepted for
transportation.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Fat Movinon
Scott C. Morrison

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030044.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `3a9a4d6dc195cc4029defff8fe7a8902050a9a48d49bb8b267a4ac94a712e8b0`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T17:25:20.299Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-03-0044`

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