{"operation":"document","citation":"09-0158","title":"LTL and Conslidation Consultant C.H. Robinson-Ann Arbor Branch — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2010-10-22","effective_on":null,"summary":"09-0158 response to LTL and Conslidation Consultant C.H. Robinson-Ann Arbor Branch concerning 172.202, 173.159, 173.185.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0158.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0158.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-09-0158","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2009/090158.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nDC1 2 2. 2010\n1200 New Jersey Ave, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nMs. Jennifer Kaczmarczyk\nLTL and Consolidation Consultant\nC.H. Robinson-Ann Arbor Branch\n10559 Citation Drive, Suite 201\nBrighton, MI 48116\nReference No. 09-0158\nDear Ms. Kaczmarczyk:\nThis is in response to your e-mail requesting clarification ofthe Materials Regulations (HMR; 49\nCFR Parts 171-180) applicable to shipping papers and packages oflithium, wet alkali, and nonspillable\nwet acid batteries. We have paraphrased your questions and answered them in the order\nyou provided. We apologize for the delay in responding and any inconvenience this may have\ncaused.\nQl. When batteries ofvarious sizes described as \"UN 2795, Batteries, wet, filled with alkali,\n8 (corrosive), PG III\" are placed in boxes and shrink wrapped to a pallet, do the HMR\nrequire the number ofpackages per pallet to be itemized on the shipping paper?\nA1. No, including the number ofpackages on the pallet is not required. Generally, an\nindication of a \"skid\" or \"pallet\" as a package type on a shipping paper is prohibited\nbecause skids and pallets are typically considered overpacks and not packages under the\nHMR. However, § 173. 159(d)(1 ) authorizes electric storage batteries firmly secured to a\nskid or pallet, and § 173.159(d)(2) authorizes electric storage batteries firmly secured to a\nskid as types ofpackagings for alkali batteries packed without other materials provided\nthe requirements of § 173.159(a) are met. For transportation by aircraft, the requirements\nof § 173.159(b) also apply.\nUnder § 172.202(a)(7), you must provide the number and type ofhazardous materials\npackages on the shipping paper. Therefore, for your palletized shipments ofalkali\nbatteries prepared in conformance with § 173.159(d)(1), you may enter \"1 pallet\" or \"I\nskid,\" as applicable, and for those shipments prepared in conformance with\n§ 173. 159(d)(2), you may enter \"1 skid,\" or similar terminology to represent the number\nand type ofbatteries you describe. In accordance with § 172.202(a)(5), you must also\nprovide the total quantity ofhazardous materials contained in the shipment. Net or gross\nmass or the number ofbatteries would be an appropriate description of the total quantity.\nAn example of a shipping paper entry for a palletized shipment ofwet alkali batteries\nweighing 200 pounds (lbs) and shipped under § 173 .159( d)( 1) is:\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n• \"UN 2795, Batteries, wet, filled with alkali, 8, PO III, 1 pallet, 200 lbs.\"\nQ2. When lithium batteries ofvarlous sizes described as \"UN 3090, Lithium batteries,\n9 (miscellaneous), PO II\" are placed in boxes and shrink wrapped to a pallet, do the HMR\nrequire the number ofpackages per pallet to be itemized on the shipping paper?\nA2. Pallets and skids are considered \"overpacks\" for lithium batteries with a gross weight of\n12 kilograms (kg) (26.5 pounds) or less. See § § 171.8 (overpack) and 173.185(g).\nTherefore, the number and type of packages containing these types of lithium batteries\nper pallet must be itemized on the shipping paper. An example of a shipping paper entry\nfor a shipment oflithium batteries with a gross weight of 12 kg or less when the entire\nshipment weighs 200 pounds is:\n• \"UN 3090, Lithium battery, 9, PO II, 4 boxes, 200 lbs.\"\nThe HMR specify that lithium batteries employing a strong, impact-resistant outer casing\nand a gross weight that exceeds 12 kg may be packed in strong outer packagings,\nprotective enclosures (for example, in fully enclosed wood~n slatted crates), or on pallets.\nSee § 173.185(g). This section also requires that the batteries must be secured to prevent\ninadvertent movement, and the terminals may not support the weight of other\nsuperimposed elements. Batteries packaged in this manner may be transported by\nhighway, rail, and vessel, but not passenger aircraft, and may be transported by cargo\naircraft only if approved by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety\nAdministration's Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety prior to\ntransportation. Examples ofshipping paper entries for shipments oflithium batteries\nwith a gross weight that exceeds 12 kg when the entire shipment weighs 200 pounds are:\n• \"UN 3090, Lithium battery, 9, PO II, 4 boxes, 200 lbs,\"\n• \"UN 3090, Lithium battery, 9, PO II, 1 wooden crate, 200 lbs,\" and\n• \"UN 3090, Lithium battery, 9, PO II, 1 pallet, 200 lbs.\"\nQ3. lfthe batteries described in Questions Ql and Q2 are packaged in separate containers\nand/or boxes but shrink wrapped to the same pallet, how must these entries appear on the\nshipping paper?\nA3. When there are multiple hazardous materials in a shipment, the shipping description of\neach hazardous material within the shipment must be described on the shipping paper and\ninclude the total quantity and package type of each hazardous material covered by one\ndescription. You state your shipment includes lithium, wet alkali, and non-spillable wet\nacid batteries. Examples ofthe shipping paper descriptions for these entries appear in\nanswers Al and A2.\nQ4. Please clarify how to package \"UN 2800, Batteries, wet, non-spillable, 8, PO IIr' to\nqualify for the exception in § 173 .159( e).\n2\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nA4. Paragraphs (e) and (f) of § 173.159 specify the requirements a non-spillable battery must\nmeet. The batteries must be protected against short circuits and securely packaged. You\nmay use any type of packaging that meets this standard. Non-spillable batteries that\ncomply with § 173. 159(e) are not required to be described on a shipping paper.\nQ5. What penalties or fines may be incurred if the shipping paper and packaging\nrequirements for the batteries described in this letter are not followed?\nA5. Under 49 CFR Part 107, Subpart D, the civil penalty for knowingly violating the Federal\nhazardous materials transportation law (49 U .S.C. 5101, et seq.) or the HMR can range\nfrom $275 to $55,000 per violation per day, or up to $110,000 if the violation results in\ndeath, serious illness, severe injury to any person, or substantial destruction of property.\nA minimum fine of$495 applies to violations relating to training. See §§ 107.329 and\n107.333. Criminal penalties may include fines and imprisonment from 5 to 10 years\nbased on the severity of the crime.\nI hope this satisfies your request.\nSincerely,\n(7~~~\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n3\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nPage 1 of2\nEdmoVlSCJV)\n~ 113 . Iset\nDrakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA) ~ (/3· 1<6)\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\n-e:a.+Ie rff? S\nSent: Friday, July 10,200910:59 AM 6'1-D J5~\nTo: Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nSubject: FW: Letter of Interpretation\nFrom: Jennifer Kaczmarczyk [mailto:Jennifer.Kaczmarczyk@chrobinson.com]\nSent: Friday, July 10, 2009 8:56 AI...,\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter\nSubject: Letter of Interpretation\nGood Morning,\nI am requesting a letter of interpretation regarding the bill of lading documentation and packaging\nrequirements for some HAZMA T items.\n1) When an item described as Batteries, Wet, Filled with Alkali, Electric Storage 8 UN2795 PG: III\nis being shipped is it required that the number of containers per pallet be itemized on the bill of\nlading? In this case there are various batteries of multiple sizes contained in each container/box\nand shrink wrapped to a pallet. Please specify the exact documentation required with an\nexample.\n2) When an item described as Lithium Batteries 9 UN3090 PG: II is being shipped is it required\nthat the num ber of containers per pallet be itemized on the bill of lading? In this case there are\nvarious batteries of multiple sizes contained in each container/box and shrink wrapped to a\npallet. Please specify the exact documentation required with an example.\n3) Ifthe items listed above are packaged in separate containers/boxes but shrink wrapped to the\nsame pallet how should the documentation appear on the bill of lading? Please specify the exact\ndocumentation required with an example.\n4) Please clarify how \"Batteries, Non-Spillable, Electric Storage Non-Hazardous and Complies\nwith 49CRF173.159 (d) Packaging exception applies\" should be packaged in order qualify for\nthe exception and provide an example of the bill of lading documentation.\n5) Please advise of any penalties or fines that may be incurred if the documentation and packaging\nrequirements for the items listed above are not followed.\nThank you for your assistance. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.\nSincerely,\nJennifer Kaczmarczyk\nL TL and Consolidation Consultant\nC.H. Robinson--Ann Arbor Branch\n810.225.4675 office\n612.437.9679 cell\n810.225.6219 fax\n800.427.4641 after hours number 6p-12a weekdays\nSaturday and Sunday 9a-5p\nJennif er J(llczmarczyk@CHRobin$<m~Qm\n7/10/2009","truncated":false,"body_characters":8800}