# Bayer Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 98-0260 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 1998-10-27 98-0260 response to Bayer Corporation concerning 173.30. ## Document text <<>> 4. - of Transportation U.S.Department 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Research and Washington, D.C. 20590 ...:..._. Administration Special Programs OCT 27 1998 Mr. Robert C. Blake Materials Management Distribution Safety and Regulatory Affairs Ref. No. 98-0260 100 Baver Road Bayer Corporation Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741 Dear Mr. Blake: This is in response to your letter dated August 28, 1998, requesting clarification of responsibility for loading and unloading packages of hazardous materials under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HIMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). It is the carrier's responsibility to comply with loading and unloading requirements. However, it is possible for shippers to conduct functions of a carrier, such as loading a vehicle trailer. In the event a shipper conducts or participates in the loading process of a hazardous material onto a transport vehicle, they must comply, as does the carrier, with applicable requirements of the HMIR (§ 173.30). I hope this satisfies your inquiry. If this office can be of further assistance, please contact us. Sincerely, Vil Hilli Delmer F. Billings Chief, Standards Development Office of Hazardous Materials Standards <<>> Bayer (BATER ... 100 Bayer Road Bayer Corporation Phone: 412 777-2000 Pittsburgh, PA 15205-9741 August 28, 1998 nelson 173,30 Mr. Edward Mazzullo, Director Office of Hazardous Materials Standards Research and Special Programs Administration U.S. Department of Transportation DHM-10 400 7* Street, S.W Washington, DC 20590-0001 Dear Mr. Mazzullo: I have been requested to seek a formal interpretation for 49CFR 173.20 "Shippers- General Requirements for Shipments of Packages" and 49CFR 177.834 "General Requirements for Loading and Unloading". Bayer Corporation contends that Section 173.30 is merely a general duty statement requiring shippers performing loading and unloading functions to reference the specific modal regulations (174-177). Section 177.800 identifies the specific loading and unloading responsibilities of the parties involved in these processes. These two specific regulations, havecreated an internal argument as to who is responsible for the securement To determine this responsibility reference is made to paragraph 177.800(b) titled "Responsibility for Compliance", This paragraph states, "Unless this subchapter specifically provides that another person shall perform a particular duty, each carrier, including connecting carrier, shall porform the duties specified and comply with all applicable requirements in this part ...". Furthermore, carrier is defined in Section 171.8 as meaning " a person engaged in transportation of passengers or property". Bayer Corporation does not meet the definition of a carrier. Therefore, as paragraph 177.834(a) does not make any specific requirements of a shipper, the carrier then becomes the responsible party for compliance with this paragraph as outlined in paragraph 177.800(b). Our question concerns who is really responsible for the freight's securement. At Bayer's shipping locations, we assist the carrier during the loading process by placing 55 gallon drums, containing hazardous materials, inside of their trailers. In our carrier contracts we hold them responsible for the proper securement of all freight tendered. However, zíza <<>> recently a carrier has challenged our contract stating that Bayer Corporation is esponsible for securement (blocking and bracing) as we are performing a carrier functio nder section 173.30. It is Bayer Corporation's opinion that as we are not performing i function as defined in section 171.8, "Carrier". We therefore, are not performing a carrier function. Therefore, it is the carrier's responsibility to assure the tendered shipment is properly secured by blocking and bracing according to the HMR. Would you please advise me as to whose interpretation is correct, Bayer Corporation or the carrier? Your expedient response to this inquiry would be appreciated. We are having a • meeting with this carrier on September 11, 1998 and wish to finalize this disagreement during the scheduled meeting. Your response can be faxed to 412-777-2946 or by mailing it to the above address. Should you have any questions I can be reached at 800-662-2927 extension 2140. Sincerely, PC Alek • Robert C. ike, Manager Materials Management Distribution Safety & Regulatory Affairs 100 - ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `1913db2939f42ce4b75821c41628c98fd2f92ff781b0369124f1b1687e0ff86e` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-22T21:55:42.598Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-98-0260` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [ "Bayer Corporation" ], "individuals": [ "Mr. Robert C. 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