{"operation":"document","citation":"08-0127","title":"Ecolab, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2008-06-18","effective_on":null,"summary":"08-0127 response to Ecolab, Inc. concerning 173.31.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0127.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0127.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-08-0127","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2008/080127.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Ave.. S.E.\nWashington, DC 20590\nMr. Stephen P. Schulte\nEoclab, Inc.\n370 Wabasha Street North\nSt. Paul, MN 55 102\nRef. No.: 08-0127\nDear Mr. Schulte:\nThis is in response to your April 28,2008 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171 -1 80). Specifically you ask whether an\nunlocked derailer meets the requirements in 5 173.3 1 (g)(l) to secure access to track to\nprevent entry by other rail equipment including motorized service vehicles.\nIn your letter, you describe a scenario in which a derailer is positioned between the railcar\nand a locked fence. Both Ecolab Inc. and the railroad can unlock the fence to enable the\nexchange of rail cars. Unauthorized individuals are unable to access the derailer by the\nlocked fence. Ecolab Inc. retains the only key to the derailer to prevent its unauthorized\nremoval.\nProvided the derailer can perform its intended function in the unlocked position, the\nrequirement in 6 173.3 1 (g)(1) to secure access to the track to prevent entry by other rail\nequipment including motorized service vehicles is satisfied.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if you require additional assistance.\nSincerely,\nChief, Standards Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nECQLAB\" STEPHEN V. SCHULTE, DGSA\nDirector, Global\n1 -3') r, z+ j-, . ,\nLui..!,,: , L,i;l' Transportation Compliance\n' !J-f Law & Regulatory Affa~rs\nC3 H,y.z T ~ L krs T 651.293.4348\ni -5 3: 1 0 8 - 0 1 x 1 F 651.225.3122\nApril 28,2008\nVia Certified Mail - Return Recei~t Requested\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Safety\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standard PHH-10\nATTN: Mr. Edward Mazzullo\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Building, 2nd Floor\nWashington, DC 20590\nRE: Request for Letter of Interpretation\n49 CFR 173.31(9)(1)\nDear Mr. Mazzullo:\nEcolab Inc. is writing to inquire whether 49 CFR 173.31 (g)(1) requires a derailer to be locked to\nthe track.\n49 CFR 173.31 (g)(1) specifically states, \"Each hazmat employee who is responsible for loading\nor unloading a tank car must secure access to the track to prevent entry by other rail equipment,\nincluding motorized service vehicles. Derails, lined and locked switches, portable bumper\nblocks, or other equipment that provides an equivalent level of security may be used to satisfy\nthis requirement.\"\nIn the specific case in question, the derailer sits between the railcar and a locked fence. Both\nEcolab and the railroad can unlock the fence to enable change-out of railcars. Unauthorized\nindividuals are prevented from accessing the derailer up to the locked fence. Ecolab has the\nonly key to the derailer, which prevents the railroad from unauthorized removal.\nEcolab believes that this meets the intent of 49 CFR 173.31(9)(1). Is that correct, or is the intent\nof 49 CFR 173.31 (g)(l) to require that the derailer be locked? The regulation is very vague and\ndoes not clearly state the need for a locked derailer.\nPlease direct any questions regarding this request to my attention.\nSincerely, /\n-\nStephen V. Schulte, CHMM, CPP, DGSA\n370 Wabasha Street North St. Paul, MN 55102","truncated":false,"body_characters":3267}