{"operation":"document","citation":"24-0067","title":"Public Utilities Commission of Ohio — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2024-12-19","effective_on":null,"summary":"24-0067 response to Public Utilities Commission of Ohio concerning 172.201.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0067.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0067.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-24-0067","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2025-01/240067.pdf","body":"<<>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nDecember 19, 2024\nTom Bartfai\nHazardous Materials Specialist, Motor Carrier & Rail Enforcement\nPublic Utilities Commission of Ohio\n180 East Broad Street\nColumbus, OH 43215\nReference No. 24-0067\nDear Mr. Bartfai:\nThis letter is in response to your July 17, 2024, email, and subsequent email conversations with a\nmember of staff requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR\nParts 171-180) applicable to the preparation of shipping papers. Specifically, you have follow-up\nquestions seeking further clarification of a previously issued letter of interpretation\n(Reference No. 24-0020) regarding shipping paper requirements. Additionally, you provided four\nphotographs of shipping papers as examples.\nWe have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:\nQ1. In PHMSA’s letter of interpretation (Reference No. 24-0020)—specifically the response\nin answer A1—and in accordance with § 172.201(a)(1)(ii), PHMSA stated that it was\npermissible to highlight additional information along with the basic shipping description\nif the highlighted information is associated with, and consistent with, the hazardous\nmaterials being shipped. You seek clarification on what PHMSA meant by “consistent\nwith.” Specifically, you ask whether PHMSA was referring to required additional\nhazardous material description information provided in § 172.203, or if it was meant to\ngenerally refer to additional information included in association with the basic\ndescription, such as batch or lot numbers, internal product codes, or reference numbers,\nalong with the basic shipping description to meet the requirements found in\n§ 172.201(a)(1)(ii).\nA1. When describing hazardous materials and materials not subject to the HMR that are\nincluded on a shipping paper, a person is only required to choose one method listed in\n§ 172.201(a)(1)(i) through (a)(1)(iii), as the word “or” (emphasis added) is used to\nindicate three separate options to identify hazardous materials on a shipping paper. If a\nperson chooses to use more than one option, there is no prohibition in doing so. As noted\nin Reference No. 24-0020—and in accordance with § 172.201(a)(4)—a shipping paper\n\n<<>>\n\nmay contain additional information concerning the material, provided the information is\nnot inconsistent with the required description. Moreover, unless otherwise permitted or\nrequired, additional information must be placed after the basic description required by\n§ 172.202(a). For clarification, the requirements found in § 172.202(a) state the shipping\ndescription of a hazardous material on a shipping paper must include what is prescribed\nin § 172.202(a)(1) through (a)(4); however, there is no prohibition when information such\nas batch or lot numbers, internal product codes, or reference numbers is also entered or\nhighlighted on a shipping paper, provided this information is entered after the basic\nshipping description of the hazardous material. Such information would be considered\nconsistent with the hazardous material being shipped if the information is relevant to the\nhazardous material described on a shipping paper. Please note the purpose of the\nrequirements found in § 172.201 is to allow for easy identification of hazardous material\ninformation by emergency responders and enforcement personnel. Moreover, additional\ninformation and the use of multiple techniques for identifying information should not\ninterfere with the ability to differentiate between required hazardous material information\nand information that is not required.\nQ2. Letter of interpretation Reference No. 24-0020 pertains to a shipping paper that includes\ninformation for both hazardous materials and materials not subject to the HMR. You ask\nwhether our response to answer A1—as it relates to Reference No. 24-0020—would\nchange if a person used more than one option listed in § 172.201(a)(1) when a shipping\npaper contained only hazardous material information. Specifically, you seek confirmation\nwhether it is permissible in this scenario to highlight information beyond the basic\nshipping description, such as batch or lot numbers, internal product codes, or reference\nnumbers, along with the basic shipping description.\nA2. Please see answer A1. Please note, the options presented in § 172.201(a)(1)(ii)\nspecifically apply to when a shipping paper contains information for both hazardous\nmaterial and materials not subject to the HMR. The HMR do not provide instruction\nwhen using any of the same options for a shipping paper containing only information\nassociated with hazardous materials. Therefore, our response provided to answer A1 in\nReference No. 24-0020 would not change with respect to highlighting additional\ninformation because highlighting information beyond the basic shipping description\nwould still be permissible.\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<<>>\n\n24-0067\nBaker\nJones, Jessie Jane CTR (PHMSA)\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSent: Monday, July 22, 2024 1:54 PM\nTo: Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: Interpretation follow-up\nAttachments: OH3211303074-3.JPG; 24-0020.pdf\nFollow Up Flag: Follow up\nFlag Status: Flagged\nHello Alice,\nPlease see the below interpretation request. Let us know if you need anything.\nSincerely,\nJanaye\nFrom: thomas.bartfai@puco.ohio.gov \nSent: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 12:55 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) \nSubject: Interpretation follow-up\nCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click on links\nor open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nTo whom it may concern,\nI have a couple of follow-up questions regarding the attached interpretation (24-0020).\nIn reference to 172.201(a)(1)(ii) you state that it is permissible to highlight more information than the basic\ndescription set forth in 172.202(a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) as long as it’s consistent with the hazardous material being\nshipped. What is meant by “consistent with”…….additional description requirements listed in 172.203 and/or\nwould batch/lot numbers, internal product codes, or reference numbers be acceptable?\nThe first request was for when both hazardous and non-hazardous items are listed on the same bill of\nlading. Would anything change if multiple methods cited in 172.201(a)(1) were used even though not required\nwhen only hazardous materials are shipped; there’s an “X” in the HM column and information is also\nhighlighted? Is it permissible in this scenario to highlight information outside of the basic description…..\nadditional description requirements listed in 172.203 and/or would batch/lot numbers, internal product codes, or\nreference numbers be acceptable?\nIn short, is ever acceptable to highlight information other than the basic description and any additional items listed\nin 172.203; would batch/lot numbers, internal product codes, or reference numbers be acceptable?\nThank you for additional time in this matter.\n1\n\n<<>>\n\nTom Bar ai\nHazardous Materials Specialist\nTransporta on Department\nMotor Carrier & Rail Enforcement\nFRA Cer fied\n216-407-0352\nthomas.bar ai@puco.ohio.gov\nT\nhe\nlin\nke\nd\nim\nag\ne\nca\nnn\not\nT\nhe\nlin\nke\nd\nim\nag\ne\nca\nnn\not\nT\nhe\nlin\nke\nd\nim\nag\ne\nca\nnn\not\nT\nhe\nlin\nke\nd\nim\nag\ne\nca\nnn\not\n2\n\n<<>>\n\nAT CELLULI\n0205/2024 20.35\nConsignee : R+L CARRIERS WILMINGTON., OH\nAddress\n: 600 GILLAM RD\nPage: 1 of 10\nManifest#: 55278672\nTrailer: SF2287 (11)\nNBG\nWILMINGTON.., OH 45177\nWIL\nBest Doors\nPhone\n: 800-543-5589\nShipper\n: R+L CARRIERS MONTGOMERY, NY\nBuilding PM 1: 1-40, 42-475\nScArival : 02/06/2024 12:30 EST\nAddress\n: 140 NEELYTOWN RD\nMONTGOMERY, NY 12549\nHM\nBulk\nPcs\nContainer\nWt\nDescription\nPhone\n: 800-464-1404\nType\n(Lbs.)\nSch. Departure : 02/06/2024 01:00 EST\nShipper & Consignee\n9\nPAIL\n323\nUN1170, ETHANOL, 3, PGII.\nLoad\nSea\nOrig Dest\nPro\nSvc Date\n•Pcs\nWt\nHAZMAT EMERGENCY RESPONSE 800-424-\n(Lbs.)\n9300\n38\nTARE WEIGHT\n5\nNBG SWA\n(245476332\n9\n361\nGREENFIELD GLOBAL USA\n(SHIPPER)\nPO#: 107871\n02/14/24\n58 VALE RD\nINC\nUROUTE ID# : 2131268\n1 SKD STC 9 PAILS OF HAZ\nBROOKFIELD, CT 06804\n(CONSIGNEE)\n16200 23RD DR W STE\nAGC BIOLOGICS\nEVERETT, WA 98203\n101\n29\nCASE\n852\nUN1987, ALCOHOLS, N.O.S., 3, PGII.\nHAZMAT EMERGENCY RESPONSE 800-424-\n6\nNBG TTX\n1245476341\n29\n890\n(SHIPPER)\n9300\n02/09/24\nGREENFIELD GLOBAL USA\nCONTRACT# CCN17213\n58 VALE RD\nINC\n38\nTARE WEIGHT\nPO#: 71789/1\nBROOKFIELD, CT 06804\nREFERENCE#: 2131149\nUROUTE ID# : 2131149\n(CONSIGNEE)\n1PLT STC 29PC\n1300 E ANDERSON LN BL-\nARTIVION\nAUSTIN, TX 78752\nDG A\n10\nCASE\n323\nUN1294, TOLUENE, 3, PII.\n7\nNBG SNA\n1245476323\n30\n1040\n(SHIPPER)\n8\nPAIL\n300\nUN1230, METHANOL, 3, PGI.\n02/12/24\nGREENFIELD GLOBAL USA\n2\nCASE\n79\nUN1265, PENTANES, 3, PGIl.\nINC\n8\nCASE\n238\nUN1090, ACETONE, 3, PI.\n58 VALE RD\nCASE\n62\nUN1307, XYLENES, 3, PIII.\nBROOKFIELD, CT 06804\nHAZMAT EMERGENCY RESPONSE 800-424-\n(CONSIGNEE)\n9300\nCONTRACT# 17213\n822 CANTWELL LN\nTHERMAL SCIENTIFIC INC\nOFFERER NAME CHEMTREC\nCORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78-\n38\nTARE WEIGHT\n408\nPO#: CC8501\nUROUTE ID# : 2128255\nLIFT GATE REQUIRED ***\nSeals 24242362 Replaced By\n*** Continued on next paae ***\nR00 * 1903227 Bast\n43211\n\n<<>>\n\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nMay 1, 2024\nMr. Tom Bartfai\nHazardous Materials Specialist, Motor Carrier & Rail Enforcement\nPublic Utilities Commission of Ohio\n180 East Broad Street\nColumbus, OH 43215\nReference No. 24-0020\nDear Mr. Bartfai:\nThis letter is in response to your March 20, 2024, email requesting clarification of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to shipping papers. In your\nemail, you note that when a shipping paper contains both hazardous and non-hazardous\nmaterials, shippers must differentiate between the two using at least one of the methods indicated\nin § 172.201(a)(1).\nWe have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:\nQ1. Your incoming email and photo present a shipping paper which utilizes all three of the\noptions listed in § 172.201(a)(1) simultaneously—i.e., the hazardous materials entries are\nentered first, the hazardous materials entries are identified by the entry of an “X” placed\nbefore the basic shipping description in a column captioned “HM”, and the hazardous\nmaterials basic shipping descriptions are highlighted. You ask whether—as shown in the\nphoto—it is permissible to highlight more than just the basic shipping description.\nA1. The answer is yes, provided the additional highlighted information on the shipping paper\nis associated with—and is consistent with—the hazardous materials being shipped.\nQ2. If the highlight option in § 172.201(a)(1)(ii) is the only method used to differentiate\nbetween hazardous materials and non-hazardous materials on a shipping paper, you ask\nwhether it is acceptable to highlight more than the basic description as seen in the photo\nyou provided.\n\n<<>>\n\nA2. Please see answer A1.\nI hope this information helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nSteven Andrews\nActing Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division","truncated":false,"body_characters":11460}