Hazardous Materials: Shipping Description and Packaging of Oxygen Generators; Notice of Public Meeting

Passage 1[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 37149] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-18257] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Research and Special Programs Administration [Docket HM-224A; Notice No. 97-5] RIN 2137-AD02 Hazardous Materials: Shipping Description and Packaging of Oxygen Generators; Notice of Public Meeting AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On July 23, 1997, RSPA will meet with representatives of the Boeing Company and other interested parties to discuss requirements concerning the transportation of chemical oxygen generators, including the shipping description and packaging of these generators, as issued by RSPA in final rules on June 5 and 27, 1997. Any interested party is welcome to attend this meeting. DATES: Public Meeting. The public meeting will be held on July 23, 1997 beginning at 12:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: Public Meeting. The public meeting will be held in meeting facilities of the Boeing Company in Renton, Washington, at Longacres Park, in the T.A. Wilson Conference Room in Building 25-01. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Nels Johansen of the Boeing Company concerning more particular details in regard to the July 23, 1997 meeting: Telephone 206-662-9707, E-mail [email protected] Questions concerning the requirements for transporting chemical oxygen generators may be addressed to Dr. Richard Tarr, Office of Hazardous Materials Exemptions and Approvals, RSPA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001; telephone (202) 366- 4496, E-mail [email protected].#

Passage 2SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 5, 1997, RSPA published a final rule in the Federal Register (62 FR 30767) which amended the requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), 49 CFR parts 171-180, concerning the transportation of chemical oxygen generators. On June 27, 1997, RSPA published a subsequent final rule correction (62 FR 34667) which made editorial corrections and clarifications in addition to delaying the mandatory compliance date. Effective August 7, 1997, the shipping description, ``Oxygen generator, chemical, 5.1, UN 3356, II,'' must be used. After September 30, 1997, a chemical oxygen generator that is shipped with its means of initiation attached must incorporate at least two positive means of preventing unintentional activation of the generator, and must be classed and approved by RSPA's Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. Each person who offers a chemical oxygen generator for transportation after September 30, 1997, shall: (1) Ensure that it is offered in conformance with conditions of the approval; (2) maintain a copy of the approval at each facility where the chemical oxygen generator is packaged; and (3) mark the approval number on the outside of the package. A chemical oxygen generator may not be transported as cargo on a passenger-carrying aircraft. When transported by cargo-only aircraft, a chemical oxygen generator must conform to the provisions of the approval issued by RSPA's Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety and must be contained in a packaging prepared and originally offered for transportation by the approval holder. RSPA has received numerous questions on these requirements, including procedures for obtaining approvals, since these requirements were adopted in the final rules issued on June 5 and 27, 1997. RSPA has accepted an invitation to meet with representatives of the Boeing Company to discuss these requirements on July 23, 1997, in Renton, Washington. Any interested party may participate in this meeting. It is suggested that interested parties contact Mr. Nels Johansen for more specific details in regard to the meeting location. Issued in Washington, DC on July 8, 1997, under authority delegated in 49 CFR, part 106. Alan I. Roberts, Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. [FR Doc. 97-18257 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P#