# Daniels Training Services Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 22-0006
- **title:** Daniels Training Services Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2022-07-26
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 22-0006 response to Daniels Training Services Inc. concerning 173.159, 173.3.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0006.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0006.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0006
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/76636/220006_0.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
July 26, 2022
Mr. Daniel Stoehr
Daniels Training Services Inc.
PO Box 1232
Freeport, IL 61032
Reference No. 22-0006
Dear Mr. Stoehr:
This letter is in response to your January 22, 2022, email requesting clarification of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to damaged wet
electric storage batteries. Specifically, you ask whether § 173.159(k)(1)(iii) requires that
offerors using salvage packaging to transport damaged wet batteries must follow the entirety of
§ 173.3(c) or only the packaging provisions specified in § 173.3(c).
Section 173.159(k) requires damaged batteries incapable of retaining battery fluid inside the
outer casing during transportation by highway or rail to be prepared under one or more of the
conditions specified in § 173.159(k)(1). Section § 173.159(k)(1)(iii) requires an offeror to “pack
the battery in a salvage packaging in accordance with the provisions of § 173.3(c).” Therefore,
when utilizing this option, all of the provisions of § 173.3(c) must be met.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
T. Glenn Foster
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Wolcott
22-0006
From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
To: Hazmat Interps
Subject: FW: Request Letter of Interpretation - Hazard Communication When Packing a Damaged Wet Electric Storage
Battery in a Salvage Packaging
Date: Friday, January 28, 2022 2:27:04 PM
Hello Hazmat Interps,
Below is a request for letter of interpretation. Also here is the physical mailing address from previous
LOI requests:
PO Box 1232
Freeport, IL 61032-1232
Thanks,
Jonathon, HMIC
From: Daniel Stoehr <info@danielstraining.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2022 10:50 PM
To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>
Subject: Request Letter of Interpretation - Hazard Communication When Packing a Damaged Wet
Electric Storage Battery in a Salvage Packaging
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links or
open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
I request a letter of interpretation on the following:
49 CFR 173.159 contains the packing instructions for Batteries, wet
§173.159(e) contains the requirements for transport of these batteries subject to an
exception. If the conditions of the exception are met, the batteries are not subject to any
other requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations; this of course includes all hazard
communication.
§173.159(k) contains packing instructions for damaged wet electric storage batteries.
§173.159(k)(1)(iii) includes an option to pack the damaged battery in a salvage packaging in
accordance with the provisions of §173.3(c).
§173.159(k)(2) indicates damaged wet electric storage batteries shipped in accordance with
this paragraph (§173.159(k)) are eligible for the exception under §173.159(e). This means
damaged wet electric storage batteries meeting the conditions of both §173.159(e) and
§173.159(k) are not subject to any other requirements of the Hazardous Materials
Regulations, including hazard communication.
However, §173.3(c)(3-5) mandate specific hazard communication (marks, labels, and shipping
paper) for hazardous materials in a salvage packaging.
It appears to me complying with §173.3(c) as directed by the packaging option at §173.159(k)
(1)(iii) - and thereby requiring hazard communication - negates the intent of the exceptions at

<<<PAGE 3>>>

§173.159(e) and §173.159(k).
I believe §173.159(k)(1)(iii) intends to refer solely to the packaging requirements for a salvage
packaging at §173.3(c) and not those related to hazard communication.
Thank you and please advise.
Daniel Stoehr
Daniels Training Services, Inc.
815.821.1550
Info@DanielsTraining.com
www.DanielsTraining.com
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