Dole Explosives, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

Page 1U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration MAY - 5 2010 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington. D.C. 20590 Mr. Samuel Dole Dole Explosives, Inc. P.O. Box 71 15325 Babcock Avenue Rosemount, MN 55068 Ref. No.: 09-0268 Dear Mr. Dole: This is in response to your November 5, 2009 letter concerning requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the transportation ofexplosives by highway. Specifically, you ask whether the HMR permit the transportation of"Boosters, l.lD, UN0042" on any vehicle or combination ofvehicles as bulk "Ammonium nitrate, 5.1, UN 1942, PO III." In your letter you cite requirements in §§ 177.835 and 177.848 applicable to the segregation of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and explosive materials. A Division 1.1 or 1.2 explosive may not be loaded into or carried on any vehicle or a combination ofvehicles that does not conform to §§ 177.835(c)(I) through (4). In accordance with § 177.835(c), Ammonium nitrate, 5.1, UN1942 may not be transported on any vehicle or combination ofvehicles with Boosters, 1.lD, UN0042 ifthe ammonium nitrate is transported in a cargo tank required to be marked or placarded in accordance with § 177.823 or ifthe ammonium nitrate is transported in a portable tank or a DOT specification 106A or 11OA tank. The note "A" in the second column ofthe segregation table for hazardous materials in § 177 .848( d) means that, notwithstanding the requirements ofthe letter "X", ammonium nitrate (UNI942) and ammonium nitrate fertilizer may be loaded or stored with Division 1.1 (explosive) or Division 1.5 materials unless the ammonium nitrate is transported in a cargo tank required to be marked or placarded in accordance with § 177.823 or ifthe ammonium nitrate is transported in a portable tank or a DOT specification 106A or 11OA tank. In order to clarify this issue more thoroughly, we may address this in a future rulemaking. I trust this satisfies your inquiry. If we can be offurther assistance, please contact us. Si:r~ Charles E. Betts lef, Standards Development Office ofHazardous Materials Standards#

Page 2Box 71, 15325 Babcock Avenue D~LE Rosemount, MN 55068 Explosives, Inc. TeI651-423-1141 • Fax 651-322-6168 t-eartj November, 5, 2009 -3 Ill,Z35 txPJo~iv's -- 0t.."g U.S. DOT D~ PHMSA Office ofHazardous Materials Standards Attn: PHH-lO East Building 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. Washington, DC 20590-0001 Dear U.S. DOT PHMSA Office ofHazardous Materials Standards: My name is Samuel Dole and I am with a company called Dole Explosives, Inc. Dole Explosives, Inc. provides blasting services to stone quarries. I have a question regarding the Hazardous Materials Regulations: Does the HMR permit carrying Boosters 1.lD UN0042 PO II on the same vehicle as bulk Ammonium Nitrate 5.1 UN1942 PO III? 177.848 (e) (5) says: > J. _? i The note "A" in the second column ofthe table means that, notwithstanding the letter "X", ammonium nitrate (UNI 942) and ammonium nitrate fertilizer may be loaded or stored with Division 1.1 ( explosive) or Division 1.5 materials. 177.835 (c) (3) says: Division 1.1 or 1.2 ( explosive) materials may not be loaded into or carried on any vehicle or a combination ofvehicles if: Any vehicle in the combination is a cargo tank which is required to be marked or placarded under 177.823. . My return address is PO Box 71 Rosemount, MN 55068. My daytime telephone number is 651-423-1141. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Sincerely, s--( j)k Samuel Dole#