{"operation":"document","citation":"12-0139","title":"Nebraska State Patrol — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2012-07-25","effective_on":null,"summary":"12-0139 response to Nebraska State Patrol concerning 172.502.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0139.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0139.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0139","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2012/120139.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\n·.)f Transportation\n.\"ipeline and Hazardous\n;,1aterials Safety\n\"'.dministration\nSergeant Brad Wagner\nCarrier Enforcement Division\nNebraska State Patrol\nP.O. Box 94907\nLincoln, Nebraska 68509-4907\nRef. No. 12-0139\n:Jo ~J•\"'N JP.rsev 1\\ven11e SE\n'i:.1sh1nqton. DC 20590\n,iJl 2 5 2012\nDear Sergeant Wagner:\nThis responds to your June 19, 2012 request for clarification on prohibited placarding\nunder the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically,\nyou asked if a red \"N\" on a white square on point background shown in your attached\nphotographs constitutes a prohibited sign under§ 172.502(a)(2).\nSection 172.502(a)(2) provides that: [N]o person may affix or display on a packaging,\nfreight container, unit load device, motor vehicle or rail car. .. any sign, advertisement,\nslogan (such as \"\"Drive Safely\"), or device that, by its color, design, shape, or content,\ncould be confused with any placard prescribed in this subpart.\nThis prohibition is intended to limit the potential dilution of hazard communication\nprovided-by the appropriate hazardous materials placards. The display in the photographs\nyou provided is similar in \"shape\" (square on point configuration) to that of hazardous\nmaterials placards, and could be confused with prescribed placards in the HMR.\nTherefore, the red \"N\" on a white square on point background is prohibited under\n§ 172.502(a)(2).\nI hope this answers your inquiry. If you need additional assistance, contact this office at\n(202) 366-8553.\nSincerely,\nRobert Benedict\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nDave Heineman\nGovernor\nSTATE OF NEBRASKA\nNEBRASKA STATE PATROL\nColonel David A. Sankey\nSuperintendent\nP.O. Box 94907\nLincoln, Nebraska 68509-4907\nPhone: (402) 471-4545\nJune 19,2012\n13ocJffie\n~ l 12... ~o~(a){?.)\nPla.carc11f1j\nlh-'013'1\nCharles E. Betts\nDirector, Standards and Rulemaking Division\nU.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10)\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor\nWashington, DC 20590\nDear Mr. Betts:\nPlease provide a determination on whether a red \"N\" on a white square on point background in\nthe attached photos constitute a prohibited sign under § 172.502(a)(2).\nThank you for your time and attention in this matter.\nRespectfully,\nBrad Wagner, Sergeant\nCarrier Enforcement Division\nEnclosures: (2)\nCc: Captain Krolikowski\nFile\nAN INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY\nAn Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer\nPrinted with soy ink on recycled paper","truncated":false,"body_characters":2524}