# AllTranstek, L.L.C. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation - **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:** Not available - **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:** <<>> U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 January 19, 2023 Mike Tait Director AllTranstek, L.L.C. 1101 W. 31st Street, Suite 200 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Reference No. 22-0138 Dear Mr. Tait: This letter is in response to your December 14, 2022, email requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the protection against shifting or coupling of tank cars placed for loading or unloading by blocking and setting of the hand brake(s). Specifically, you ask whether the use of the SCAMP® rail car indexer— mechanized equipment placed along rails to move trains one or more cars at a time—may be used instead of blocking at least one wheel on a tank car and setting the hand brake in accordance with the requirements in § 173.31(g)(3). The answer is no. The requirements of § 173.31(g)(3) specifically require a person to block at least one wheel on the tank car against motion in both directions and the hand brake must (emphasis added) be set. There is no prohibition in the HMR on using additional means to prevent motion of the tank car—such as the use of the SCAMP® railcar indexer—but the use of this device alone does not satisfy the requirements of § 173.31(g)(3). I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Dirk Der Kinderen Chief, Standards Development Branch Standards and Rulemaking Division <<>> Baker 22-0138 From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) To: Subject: Date: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA); Hazmat Interps FW: Request for Interpretation, 49 CRF 173.31(g)(3) Friday, December 16, 2022 1:36:01 PM Hi Alice and team, Please see the LOI request below. Thank you! Best, Madison (HMIC) From: Mike Tait Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 8:02 AM To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Cc: Dave Ronzani Subject: Request for Interpretation, 49 CRF 173.31(g)(3) 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. U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Mr. Shane Kelley Director, Standards and Rulemaking Division U.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10) 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20590 Mr. Kelley, We have a client that would like to request an interpretation as to the suitability of using a “railcar indexer” in leu of setting the handbrake and blocking at least one wheel per the requirements of 49 CFR 173.31(g)(3). Please note, the requirements of 49 CFR 173.31(g) (1) and (2) will be met. “(g)(3) At least one wheel on the tank car must be blocked against movement in both directions, and the hand brakes must be set. If multiple tank cars are coupled together, sufficient hand brakes must be set, and wheels blocked to prevent movement in both directions.” Per the manufacturer: SCAMP® railcar indexer, pusher dogs capture axle and maintains positive control in both forward & reverse directions. As the equipment “maintains positive control in both directions” does this meet the intent of 49 CRF 173.31(g)(3)? <<>> Thank you for your time and consideration. Mike Tait AllTranstek L.L.C. Director, NDT and Special Processes 1101 W. 31st Street, Suite 200 Downers grove, IL 60515 - **truncated:** false - **body characters:** 3485