{"operation":"document","citation":"16-0039","title":"GEO Dynamics Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2016-08-25","effective_on":null,"summary":"16-0039 response to GEO Dynamics Inc. concerning 172.504, 173.25, 177.835.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0039.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0039.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0039","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2016/160039.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nMaterials Safety\nPipeline and Hazardous\nAdministration\nAUG 1 8 2016\nMr. Brett T. Lehman\nSecurity, Regulatory & Compliance Manager\nGEODynamics Inc.\nEngineered Perforating Solutions\n10500 West Interstate 20\nMillsap, TX 76066\nReference No. 16-0039\nDear Mr. Lehman:\nThis letter is in response to your March 3, 2016, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to an overpack.\nYour particular scenario involves non-bulk packages of Division 1.4D explosives that are\nshrink-wrapped together on a warehouse skid. The packages of explosives are covered by\n§ 172.504(e), Table 2, and have an aggregate gross weight over 1,001 Ibs. Specifically, you\nask whether the tarpaulin cover required by § 177.835(h) is considered an overpack, as\ndefined in § 171.8, and therefore subject to the provisions of § 173.25.\nThe answer is no. The tarpaulin required by § 177.835(h) is considered environmental\nprotection and is not an overpack. Likewise, if all the required marks and labels are visible\non the packages through the shrink-wrapped skid protected by the tarpaulin cover, no further\naction is necessary. If any of the required marks and labels are not visible on the packages\nthrough the shrink-wrap, the shrink-wrapped skid is considered an overpack and is required\nto be marked and labeled for every shipping description in the overpack as prescribed in\n§ 173.25(a)(2). Further, as prescribed in § 173.25(a)(4), the word \"OVERPACK\" is only\nrequired to be marked on the shrink-wrapped skid if package specification markings, when\nrequired, are not visible through the shrink wrap.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nT. Glenn Foster\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nStevens\n3 / 73.25\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nPackagung specs\nFrom:\nFoster, Glenn (PHMSA)\n16-0039\nSent:\nTuesday, March 08, 2016 1:17 PM\nTo:\nDodd, Alice (PHMSA); Goodall, Shante CTR (PHMSA)\nCc:\nStevens, Michael (PHMSA)\nSubject:\nRequest for Interpretation Letter\nAttachments:\nIMG_20160301_135642668.jpg; IMG_20160301_135609117_HDR.jpg; IMG_20160301_\n135625766.jpg; How to UNZIP.html; SecureZIP Attachments.zip\nImportance:\nHigh\nAlice / Shante,\nPlease have this letter checked in as a request for Interp and assign to Michael Stevens. This letter will serve as his next\nturn in the rotation of assigning letters.\nThanks,\nGlenn\nFrom: Brett Lehman [mailto:Brett.Lehman@perf.com]\nSent: Thursday, March 03, 2016 2:15 PM\nTo: Foster, Glenn (PHMSA)\nSubject: Request for Interpretation Letter\nImportance: High\nMr. Glenn Foster,\nWe are requesting an Interpretation Letter for the below:\nWe had a level 2 roadside conducted on March 1\" with one of my driver's in Midland, TX. The trooper cited my driver\nfor not properly marking an OVER-PACK.\nHowever, I don't agree that this would be considered OVER-PACK. So the trooper is saying that they TARP is\nconsidered an OVER-PACK... He didn't remove the tarp to see that the boxes on the pallet were shrink wrapped and that\nyou could clearly see all markings through the shrink wrap on the charge boxes. You can see in the pictures; we are\ncompletely placard. We have NEVER had to label OVER-PACK on the shrink wrap. I'm thinking, the way the tarp is\nwrapped around the charges, the trooper is considering this as an \"OVER-PACK\" but that's incorrect. The tarp is\nrequired by DOT to protect from weather, etc. We are required to see a Judge in April and I want to provide the Judge\nwith an Interpretation letter to help us fight this citation.\nThe cite below clearly states that when a tarp is used placards are required, not \"overpack.\" Even when using shrink wrap\nif the markings and labels are visible through the wrap you don't have to remark or label the exterior. The tarp is a\nrequired cover from the elements not an overpack because the tarp doesn't stay with the product once unloaded like an\noverpack does. All you need is a placard.\n177.835(b) Class 1 materials\n(1) Whenever tarpaulins are used for covering Class 1 (explosive) materials, they shall be secured by means of rope, wire,\nor other equally efficient tie downs. Class 1 (explosive) materials placards or markings required by §177.823 shall be\nsecured, in the appropriate locations, directly to the equipment transporting the Class 1 (explosive) materials. If the\nvehicle is provided with placard boards, the placards must be applied to these boards.\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n§177.823 Movement of motor vehicles in emergency situations.\n(a) A carrier may not move a transport vehicle containing a hazardous material unless the vehicle is marked and placarded\nin accordance with part 172 or as authorized in §171.12a of this subchapter\n§173.25 Authorized packagings and overpacks\n(2) The overpack is marked with the proper shipping name and identification number, when applicable, and is labeled as\nrequired by this subchapter for each hazardous material contained therein, unless marking and labels representative of\neach hazardous material in the overpack are visible.\n§177.835 Class 1 materials\n(h).......Class 1 (explosive) materials other than black powder may be transported on flat-bed vehicles if the explosive\nportion of the load on each vehicle is packed in fire and water resistant containers or covered with a fire and water\nresistant tarpaulin.\nThis information was also provided by Ernest G Quail - Hazardous Materials Investigator - Field Operations &\nEnforcement, Southern Region\nBRETT T LEHMAN\nSecurity, Regulatory & Compliance Manager\nGEl Dynamics\nEngineered Perforating Solutions\n10500 West Interstate 20\nMillsap, TX 76066\n[C] +1.817.229.4717\n[0] +1.817.341.5341\nwww.pert.com\naddressed. If you are not the intended recipient. be advised that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is prohibited. It\nThis e-mail communication is privileged and may contain confidential information intended only for the use of the individual to whom it was\nyou received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete it from your computer.\n2\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nFBR-7014\nTEXAS\nEXPLOSIVES\n1.4\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\n1\nTan Cono\nD\nFBR+7014\nEXPLOSIVES\nTEXAS\n14\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\nUSDOT 1983250\n\n<<<PAGE 7>>>\n\nIncar\nCVE-3(c88)\nTXDPS COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT\nLevel\nTX4K0D0VBUQ4\nCOUNTY: MIDLAND\nDATE: 2016-03-01 12:56\nCP# 0799750\nOWNER: GEODYNAMICS INC\nHWY: FM-1788 MP-324 in MIDLAND\nco.\nNOTE TO MOTOR CARRIER: TRC Chapter 644 requires the Motor Carrier to\nAddr: 10500 WEST INTERSTATE 20 MILLSAP, IX 76066\nexecute the certification at the end and return this report to Texas Department\n78773-0001 within fifteen (15) days\nof Public Safety, Motor Carrier Safety Section, PO Box 4087, Austin, Texas\n18175341-5300\n983251\nICC/MC#:\nDL#\n06646464\nDMV:\nOPERATOR: ADAGBON\nAddress: 2512 REDFIELD DR\n22386581\nSUNDAY TAN MORA\nMESQUITE; TX 75181-0000\nCLASS: A\nNOTE TO DRIVER: This report must'be furnished to the motor carrier whose\nRACE/SEX: BM\nDOB:1965-11-28\nMED\nCARD: 05/18/2016\nname appears on this report.\nB ACCIDENT\nACCIDENT\n•TES\nCONSTRUCTION SONE\nUNIT TYPEMAKE COI\nM NO\nOCCUPIED\n• ALCH O\nTR\nCHEV 3127\nFBR7014\nPLARE: (ST/VTH\nSW\nTE\nDS\nTX 1GB4KYC86FF163127\nAxles: X\nRG WT #1/13200\nRG NT\n#2\nGWR #1 13200\nVIOLATIONS DISCOVERED\n3VWR #2\nTICKET VIOL. CITE # Unit#| 605\nDISP\nbos\nPOST\nYes\n172.400 (a)\nACC\nFAD TO PABLOCKAGE/CONTAINER OF HM (FMCSR 172.400(a))\n172.602 (c) (1)\nMAN TENANTED CENTENSE INFORMATION (EMOSR 172.602(0)\n173.25 (a)\nFAN ON OVERFACKVERPACK CONDITIONS (FMCSR 173.25(a)) - MISSING UN# /\n173.25 (a) |\nLARKING MEET OVERPACK CONDITIONS (FMCSR 173.25(a)) - NO \"OVERPACK\"\nDISPOSITIONS 8. Towed/Escorted co Repair Service D.other\nA. Repaired at Scene / cocained Cret. Auth.\nN. Drivet 00s\ny. Unenown\nSEAL #'S REMOVED:\nDEFT. SEAL 6: INSTALLED\nShipping#: 4066\nCommodity: EXPLOSIVES\nOrigin: MIDLAND, T>\nHM CATEGORT\nDest: MIDLAND, TX\nNON BULK\nSPEC. TANE\nPLACARDS REO? CODE\nRO?| EW?\nED/ RESION/DISTRICT/AREA\nCHARGES FILED BI: K MaClatchy 11871 4 A 0I\n11871 4 A 01\nPREPARED BIK Mcclatchy\n40 BOX UN0440 CHARGES SHAPED,\nTIME COMELETED 14:02\nUN0323 CARTRIDGES POWER DEVICE 1.4S PEII\nTARP CREATING AN OVERPACK.\nJUDGE: Hon. Terry Luck in Midland Co.\nYOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO APPEAR BEFORE\nADDRESS: 400 S. MAIN MIDLAND OX 19701 8 April, 2016\nPHONE: (432) 688-4721\nTHIS NOTICE.\nI MEREET PROMISE TO APPEAR AT\n(This is not a plea of guilty)\nTHE TIME AND PLACE DESIGNATED T\n\n<<<PAGE 8>>>\n\nIncar\nCVE-3(r88)\nTXDPS COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT\n2J\nLevel\nDATE: 2016-03-01 12:56\nTX4K0D0VBUQ4\nCOUNTY: MIDLAND\nCP# 0799750\nHWY: FM-1788 MP-324\nin MIDLAND CO.\nR4430V400017W\nOWNER: GEODYNAMICS INC\nNOTE TO MOTOR CARRIER: TRC Chapter 644 requires the Motor Carrier to\nAddI: 10500 WEST INTERSTATE 20 MILLSAP, TX 76066\nof Public Safety. Motor Carrier Safety Section, PO Box 4087, Austin, Texas\nexecute the certification at the end and return this report to Texas Department\n78773-0001 within fifteen (15) days.\nE8975541-5300\nICC/MC#:\nSUNDAY TANTMOEX\nCLASS: A\n006645464C\nAddress: 2512 REDFIELD\nDOB: 1965-11-28\nESQUITE; IX 75181-001\nNOTE TO DRIVER: This report mustbe furnished to the motor carrier whose\nIRD: 05/18/20\nname appears on this report.\nco Regar\nACCIDENT\nDIES\nCONSTRUCTION BONE\n• NO\nD\nOCCUPIED\n• ALCH O\nOUTS PYRE MAKE\nSPLAIR:\n(ST VE\nSW\n• TE\nTR\nCHEV 3127\n* FBR7014\nTX /1GB4KYC86FF163127\nAxles: X\nRG WT\n#1 13200\nRG WT\n#2\nGVWR\n#1\n(13200\nVIOLATIONS DISCOVERED\nGVWR\n#2\nTICKET | VIOL. CITE # Unit#\n005\nDISP\nDOS\nPOST\nYes\n172.400 (a)\nACC\nFAD TO PARE SACKAGE/CONTAINER OF HM (FMCSR 172.400(3))\n172.602 (c) (1)\nMAI -TE CLOSEB CENTRECONSESPONSE INFORMATION (FMCSR 172.602(6)\n173,25 (a)\nPS ON OERPACKVERPACK CONDITIONS (FMCSR 173.25(a)) - MISSING UN# /\n173.25(a)\nGALENG MEET OVERPACK CONDITIONS (FMCR 173.25(a)) - NO \"OVERPACK\"\nBROSITION 3. Bowedested to pala service the s\nN. Desser 00s\nJaknown\nSEAL #'S REMOVED:\nDEPT.\nSEAL #: INSTALLED\nShipping#: 4066\nCommodity: EXPLOSIVES\nOrigin: MIDLAND, TX\nDest: MIDLAND, TX\nHM CATEGORY\nNON BULK\"\nSPBC. TANK\nPLACARDS REQ? CODE\n1.4\nROSES?\nTID/REGION/DISTRICT/AREA\nCHARGES FILED BY: K MeClatchy 11871 4 A 01\n11871 4 A 01\n[REPARED BY |* Meciatchy\nTIME COMELETED 14: 02\nCODES FOR PACKARS ATE NOT VISIBLE MOUTH OVERACK TAUS MUST BE\nMARKED \"OVERPACK\" ON OUTSIDE\nJUDGE: Hon. Terry Luck in Midland Co.\nYOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO APPEAR BEFORE\nDOES 4305-474 MINARD 879701 @ APE:L, 2016\nTHIS NOTICE.\nI HEREBY PROMISE TO APPEAR AT THE TINE AND PLACE DESTSNETED TO\n(This is not a plea of guilty)","truncated":false,"body_characters":10538}