{"operation":"document","citation":"16-0058","title":"Nebraska State Patrol — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2016-07-11","effective_on":null,"summary":"16-0058 response to Nebraska State Patrol concerning 172.502.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0058.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0058.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0058","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2016/160058.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\nJUL 1 1 2016\nBrad Wagner\nNebraska State Patrol\nP.O.Box 94907\nLincoln, NE 68509-4907\nRef. No. 16-0058\nDear Sergeant Wagner:\nThis responds to your March 24, 2016 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials\nRegulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to placarding. You request clarification\non whether an advertisement located on the outside of a transport vehicle would be considered a\nprohibited placard in accordance with § 172.502(a)(2). In your letter, you provide an example\nof a blue square-on-point advertisement with a white \"W\" in the middle.\nSection 172.502(a)(2) of the HMR states that, \"any sign, advertisement, slogan (such as \"Drive\nSafely\"), or device that, by its color, design, shape or content, could be confused with any\nplacard prescribed in this subpart is prohibited.\" This prohibition is intended to limit the\npotential dilution of hazard communication provided by the appropriate hazardous materials\nplacards.\nIt is the opinion of this Office that the advertisement would be considered a prohibited placard.\nBased on the particulars of the example provided, the advertisement is of a similar shape (e.g.,\nsquare-on-point configuration), size (e.g., 8.5 inches by 8.5 inches and 15 inches by 15 inches)\nand color (e.g., similar to the \"DANGEROUS WHEN WET\" placard) to a placard prescribed in\nSubpart F of Part 172. Moreover, the advertisement is located on the transport vehicle where\nplacards would normally be found (e.g., on the rear and sides of the box trailer). It is our belief\nthat this advertisement could be confused for a placard in an emergency response situation.\nI trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nSTATE OF NEBRASKA\nPete Ricketts\nGovernor\nCiccarone\nNEBRASKA STATE PATROL\nColonel Brad Rice\nMARCH Iº 1967\n$172.502(a12)\nSuperintendent\nLincoln, NE 68509-4907\nP.O.Box 94907\nPlacarding\nPhone (402) 471-4545\nMarch 24, 2016\n16-0058\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 an interpretation on whether a square on point advertisement with a \"W\" in the\nmiddle as evidenced in the attached photos constitute a prohibited sign under §172.502(a)(2). As\nyou can see from the photos the color and design is the same as a dangerous when wet placard.\nOne of the signs is approximately 1 inch smaller than a placards minimum dimension and two\nare approximately 6 inches larger than the minimum dimensions.\nYour assistance in determining whether these advertisements violate §172.502(a)(2) is greatly\nappreciated\nThank you for your time and attention in this matter.\nRespectfully,\nBradlogres\nBrad Wagner, Sergeant\nCarrier Enforcement Division\nEnclosures: (2)\nCc: Captain Krolikowski\nFile\nTE\nNEBRASE\nAN INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY\nAn Equal Opportunity Employer\nOCTANENIN\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>","truncated":false,"body_characters":3214}