{"operation":"document","citation":"22-0138","title":"AllTranstek, L.L.C. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2023-01-19","effective_on":null,"summary":"22-0138 response to AllTranstek, L.L.C. concerning 173.31.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0138.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0138.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-22-0138","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/interpretations/77196/220138.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nJanuary 19, 2023\nMike Tait\nDirector\nAllTranstek, L.L.C.\n1101 W. 31st Street, Suite 200\nDowners Grove, IL 60515\nReference No. 22-0138\nDear Mr. Tait:\nThis letter is in response to your December 14, 2022, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the protection\nagainst shifting or coupling of tank cars placed for loading or unloading by blocking and setting\nof the hand brake(s). Specifically, you ask whether the use of the SCAMP® rail car indexer—\nmechanized equipment placed along rails to move trains one or more cars at a time—may be\nused instead of blocking at least one wheel on a tank car and setting the hand brake in\naccordance with the requirements in § 173.31(g)(3).\nThe answer is no. The requirements of § 173.31(g)(3) specifically require a person to block at\nleast one wheel on the tank car against motion in both directions and the hand brake must\n(emphasis added) be set. There is no prohibition in the HMR on using additional means to\nprevent motion of the tank car—such as the use of the SCAMP® railcar indexer—but the use of\nthis device alone does not satisfy the requirements of § 173.31(g)(3).\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nDirk Der Kinderen\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nBaker\n22-0138\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Subject: Date: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA); Hazmat Interps\nFW: Request for Interpretation, 49 CRF 173.31(g)(3)\nFriday, December 16, 2022 1:36:01 PM\nHi Alice and team,\nPlease see the LOI request below. Thank you!\nBest,\nMadison (HMIC)\nFrom: Mike Tait <tait@alltranstek.com>\nSent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 8:02 AM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) <INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov>\nCc: Dave Ronzani <ronzani@alltranstek.com>\nSubject: Request for Interpretation, 49 CRF 173.31(g)(3)\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do\nnot click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content\nis safe.\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nMr. Shane Kelley\nDirector, Standards and Rulemaking Division\nU.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10)\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor\nWashington, DC 20590\nMr. Kelley,\nWe have a client that would like to request an interpretation as to the suitability of using a “railcar\nindexer” in leu of setting the handbrake and blocking at least one wheel per the requirements of 49\nCFR 173.31(g)(3). Please note, the requirements of 49 CFR 173.31(g) (1) and (2) will be met.\n“(g)(3) At least one wheel on the tank car must be blocked against movement in both\ndirections, and the hand brakes must be set. If multiple tank cars are coupled together,\nsufficient hand brakes must be set, and wheels blocked to prevent movement in both\ndirections.”\nPer the manufacturer: SCAMP® railcar indexer, pusher dogs capture axle and maintains positive\ncontrol in both forward & reverse directions.\nAs the equipment “maintains positive control in both directions” does this meet the intent of 49 CRF\n173.31(g)(3)?\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nThank you for your time and consideration.\nMike Tait\nAllTranstek L.L.C.\nDirector, NDT and Special Processes\n1101 W. 31st Street, Suite 200\nDowners grove, IL 60515","truncated":false,"body_characters":3485}