{"operation":"document","citation":"08-0124","title":"Dist-Trans Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2008-06-11","effective_on":null,"summary":"08-0124 response to Dist-Trans Company concerning 173.159.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0124.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0124.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0124","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080124.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nJUN 11 2008\nMr. Daniel Raver\nSafety & Compliance Manager\nDist-Trans Co.\n1654 Williams Rd.\nColumbus, OH 43207\nRef. No.: 08-0124\nDear Mr. Raver:\nThis responds to your April 24,2008 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials\nRegulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 17 1 - 180). Specifically, you ask if a carrier may use the\nexception for electric storage batteries provided in 8 173.159(e) when the original shipper of the\nbatteries chooses not to use the exception. Additionally, you ask if the bill of lading must\ninclude a statement indicating that the batteries are transported in accordance with 8 173.159(e).\nSection 173.159(e) provides relief from the requirements of the HMR for shipments of electric\nstorage batteries containing electrolyte or corrosive battery fluid when the following conditions\nare met:\n(1) Transportation is by highway or rail;\n(2) No other hazardous materials are transported in the same vehicle;\n(3) The batteries are loaded or braced to prevent damage or short circuits during transportation;\n(4) Any other material loaded in the same vehicle is blocked, braced, or otherwise secured to\nprevent contact with or damage to the batteries; and\n(5) The transport vehicle does not carry material shipped by any person other than the shipper of\nthe batteries.\nA carrier may use the exception in 8 173.159(e), even when the offeror of the batteries does not\nuse the exception. For example, if an offeror provides placards to the carrier for a shipment of\nbatteries, the carrier may choose to ship the batteries in accordance with 8 1 73.159(e) and not\ndisplay the placards on the transport vehicle. In this situation, the carrier must ensure that the\nrequirements in 6 173.159(e) are met.\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nA shipment of batteries made in accordance with $ 173.159(e) does not require a shipping paper.\nTherefore, the bill of lading is not required to indicate that the batteries are transported in\naccordance with 5 173.159(e).\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.\nChief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nDist-Trans Co.\nMr. Edward T. Mazzullo\nDirector, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards\nU.S . DOTRHMSA (PHH- 10)\n400 7TH Street S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590-000 1\nDear Mr. Mazzullo,\nPlease provide clarification on two issues pending with respect to Dist-Trans transporting\nbatteries fiom a 3PL provider.\nSection 173.159(e) provides relief from the requirements of the HMR for shipments of\nelectric storage batteries containing electrolyte or corrosive battery fluid if we transport\nby highway, and meet all of the conditions. It is our understanding that if all the criteria\nare met, neither placarding or drivers hazardous materials endorsements are required.\nIn addition if a shipper provides placards and does not choose to use the exception may\nthe carrier use the exception and choose not to display the placards as long as the\nshipment satisfies the conditions of the exception or must it be noted on the BOL from\nthe shipper or 3PL?\nIf you require any additional information, please feel free to contact me at 800-743-7062\next 7874 or draverlCi?odwlonistics.com. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.\nDan Raver\nSafety & Compliance Manager\nDist-Trans Co\n1654 Williams Rd\nColumbus, Ohio 43207","truncated":false,"body_characters":3489}