# J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 05-0216
- **title:** J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2006-01-17
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 05-0216 response to J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. concerning 173.159.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0216.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0216.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-05-0216
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050216.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

J.S. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Pipeline and
Administration
Hazardous Materials Safety
JAN 17 2006
Mr. Loren Wish
Ref No.: 05-0216
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.
Compliance Manager
615 J.B. Hunt Corp Drive
Lowell, AR 72745
Dear Mr. Wish:
This responds to your September 9, 2005 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask if a carrier
may use the exception for electric storage batteries provided in § 173.159(e) when the
original shipper of the batteries chooses not to use the exception. Additionally, you ask if
the bill of lading must include a statement indicating that the batteries are transported in
accordance with § 173.159(e).
Section 173.159(e) provides relief from the requirements of the HMR for shipments of
electric storage batteries containing electrolyte or corrosive battery fluid when the
following conditions are met:
(1) Transportation is by highway or rail;
(2) No other hazardous materials are transported in the same vehicle;
(3) The batteries are loaded or braced to prevent damage or short circuits during
transportation;
(4) Any other material loaded in the same vehicle is blocked, braced, or otherwise
(5) The transport vehicle does not carry material shipped by any person other than the
secured to prevent contact with or damage to the batteries; and
shipper of the batteries.
A carrier may use the exception in § 173.159(e), even when the shipper of the batteries
loes not choose to use the exception. For example, if a shipper provides placards to th
arrier for a shipment of batteries, the carrier may choose not to display the placards or
the transport vehicle if the shipment satisfies the conditions of the exception provided in
§ 173.159(e). The bill of lading is not required to include a statement indicating that the
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.
173.159 (e)
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
050216

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39/09/2005
14:45
4796596031
COMPLIANCE
PAGE 02
Eichenlaub
$173 159(e)
J.B. HUNT
Batteries
J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT, INC.
September 9, 2005
05.0216
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
U.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10)
400 70 Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
I am in need of your assistance concerning § 173.159(e). J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. hauls batteries
evolve around how use of the exception is declared, and which parties have the authority t
or some of our customers, and many of these customers use this exception. Our concem:
declare use.
1. Are shippers required to declare the use of this exception?
2.
If so, do they need to state this on the bill of lading, such as stamping or writing
§173.159(e) on the bill?
3.
Is the shipper the only group with authority to claim this exception?
4. Is the motor carrier authorized to claim the exception as well, if the shipper declines to?
Our concern is that one of our drivers without a HazMat endorsement on their CDL could possibly
reason the shipper gives the driver placards. At that time, our driver would not be able to transport
be sent to pick up a load of batteries from a shipper that normally uses this exception, but for some
the authority to verify that the load has met all the requirements of § 173.159(e) and then pull the
the load due to the placards on the trailer. Does J.B. Hunt, as the motor carrier for this load, have
placards from the trailer?
your assistance in this matter.
If you need any additional information, feel free to contact me at (479) 659-6018. Thank you for
Sincerely,
Mr. Loren Wish
Compliance Manager
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.
615 J.B. Hunt Corp Drive
Lowell, AR 72745
P.O. BOX 598 • LOWELL, ARKANSAS 72745
(479) 820-0000
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