{"operation":"document","citation":"25-0085","title":"Oak Harbor Freight Lines — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2026-01-27","effective_on":null,"summary":"25-0085 response to Oak Harbor Freight Lines concerning 172.604.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0085.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0085.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-25-0085","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2026-02/250085.pdf","body":"<<>>\n\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE\nWashington, DC 20590\nU.S. Department\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nJanuary 27, 2026\nMr. Jeff McLaughlin\nOak Harbor Freight Lines\n35615 N Arlington Rd\nDeer Park, WA 99006\nReference No. 25-0085\nDear Mr. McLaughlin:\nThis is in response to your June 24, 2025 letter and subsequent conversations with a member of my\nstaff requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-\n180) applicable to the requirements for an emergency response phone number to be provided on a\nshipping paper. You ask whether the emergency response phone number may be placed on a\nshipping paper—other than immediately following the description of a hazardous material—\nprovided the emergency response number remains readily identifiable and in conformance with\n§ 172.604. In your incoming letter, you provide a picture of a shipping paper with the emergency\nresponse phone number highlighted in yellow.\nYes. Provided the emergency response phone number is readily identifiable and in conformance\nwith the requirements specified in § 172.604(b), such a configuration would meet the requirements\nof § 172.604(a)(3)(ii). However, your picture also includes a separate, non-emergency phone\nnumber immediately following the description of the hazardous material, a location usually\nassociated with an emergency response telephone number. While your emergency response phone\nnumber location in the above scenario is not in violation of the HMR, the non-emergency phone\nnumber immediately following the hazardous materials description on your shipping papers could\nlead to confusion and miscommunication in an emergency scenario. This Office recommends that\nyou either relocate the non-emergency phone number or place the emergency response number\nimmediately following the hazardous materials description as outlined in § 172.604(a)(3)(i) to\nprevent frustration of your shipments.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nAlexander Wolcott\nActing Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<>>\n\nJacobson, N.\n25-0085\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nTo: Baker, Yul (PHMSA)\nCc: Hazmat Interps\nSubject: FW: 172.604 interpretation request\nDate: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 13:37:43\nAttachments: image001.png\n3850_001_Redacted.pdf\nHi Yul,\nPlease see the below interpretation request and attachments.\nLet us know if you need anything,\n-Breanna\nFrom: Jeff McLaughlin \nSent: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 12:51 PM\nTo: pipeline_interp_submittal ; INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\n\nCc: Jeff McLaughlin ; Tom Sanchez \nSubject: FW: 172.604 interp request\n: This email originated from outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Do not click\non links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.\nGood morning,\nI was following up as we have not received a response or acknowledgment on the request\nbelow.\nThank you,\nJeff\nJeff McLaughlin\n35615 N Arlington Rd\nDeer Park, WA 99006\nJeff McLaughlin\nPacific Northwest Safety Supervisor\nwww.oakh.com | C: 406-899-3085\n\n<<>>\n\nFrom: Jeff McLaughlin \nSent: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 2:46 PM\nTo: pipeline_interp_submittal@dot.gov\nCc: Jeff McLaughlin ; Tom Mueller ; Joe\nGuzman \nSubject: 172.604 interp request\nGood afternoon,\nWe are requesting an interpretation of 172.604(a)(3) regarding how an emergency response phone\nnumber must be entered on a hazardous materials shipping paper:\nBy utilizing ( option 1 ) outlined in 172.604(a)(3)(i) if the emergency response phone number is listed\nimmediately following the description required by subpart C, do the requirements of 172.604(b)\napply? Due to the word “or” following the criteria outlined in 172.604(a)(3)(i), and the addition of\nthe language “entered once on a shipping paper in the manner prescribed in paragraph (b) of this\nsection” under 172.604(a)(3)(ii) we feel that by utilizing ( option 1 ) we would not be required to\nmeet the criteria outlined in 172.604(b) and our line manifest would be in compliance.\nPlease see the attached HM BOL in question. Thank you for your time and consideration of this\nmatter.\nJeff\nJeff McLaughlin\nPacific Northwest Safety Supervisor\nwww.oakh.com | C: 406-899-3085\n\n<<>>\n\nDSR189\n9/17/24\nHazardous\nHazardous\nManifest: 076 23918\nLbs\nWeight\n2090\n1385\n1525\nOak Harbor Freight Lines\nTrailer: V2953S\nUN3480, LITHIUM ION BATTERIES,\nUN3480, LITHIUM ION BATTERIES,\nCONSIGNEE CONTACT PHONE NUMBER\nEMERGENCY CONTACT* 800-424-9300\nCALIFORNIA COMPLIANCE SURCHARGE\nItem description\nHAZARDOUS MATERIAL\n-------------\nCLASS 9\n916-452-3111\nFUEL SURCHARGE\nCRATE\nCLASS 9\nCRATE\nDEFICIT\nDest: 025\nHaz\n---\nPackage\nPieces\nFreight Bill: 036-36169780\nFreight Bill Date: 9/17/24\nH/U\nN\n\n<<>>\n\nDSR189\n9/17/24\nHazardous\nHazardous\nHazardous\nHazardous\n23918\nManifest: 076\nLbs\nWeight\n3384\n2869\n106\n50\nFreight Lines\nOak Harbor\nTrailer: V2953S\n**** SPECIAL DELIVERY REQUEST\nRQ, UN3266, CORROSIVE LIQUID, BASIC\nINORGANIC, NOS, (SODIUM HYDROXIDE\nPOTASSIUM HYDROXIDE), 8, PGII\nRQ. UN3264, CORROSIVE LIQUID,\nACID, PHOSPHORIC ACID), 8, PGII\nOXIDIZING, NOS, (SODIUM HYDROXIDE\nSODIUM CARBONATE PEROXYHYDRATE)\nUN2014, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, AQUEOUS\nACIDIC, INORGANIC, NOS,\nUN3084, CORROSIVE SOLIDS.\nAPPOINTMENT DELIVERY CHARGES\nEMERGENCY CONTACT*1-800-255-3924\nCALIFORNIA COMPLIANCE SURCHARGE\nItem description\n____-----.\nDEL: BEFORE 16:00\n/CALL FOR APPOINIMENT\nHAZARDOUS MATERIAL\n8, (5.I), PG\nSOLUTION 5.1\nDest: 032\nHaz\nPackage\n----- - -\nTB\nTB\nPT\n9/17/24\nPieces\n------\nFreight Bi21: 031-37121079\nBILL Date:\nH/U\npreight","truncated":false,"body_characters":5844}