{"operation":"document","citation":"98-0508","title":"The Dow Chemical Company — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1998-01-06","effective_on":null,"summary":"98-0508 response to The Dow Chemical Company concerning 172.300, 172.512.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0508.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0508.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0508","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980508.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nI im\nof Transportation\nU.S.Department\n400 Seventh Street, SW\nSpecial Programs\nResearch and\nWashington, D.C.\n20590\nAdministration\nJAN\n6 1998\n1\nMr. Hugh Taylor\nRegulatory Specialist\nThe Dow Chemical Company\n2020 WH Dow Center, C-1306\nMidland, MI 48674\nDear Mr. Taylor:\n:\nThis is in response to your letter dated November 5, 1997, regarding residues of Class 9\nhazardous substances under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-\n180). Specifically, you ask whether tank cars and cargo tanks that contain residues of Class 9\nhazardous substances may be returned from the consignee without removing the ID number\nmarking and/or the placards.\nThe answer is yes. The HMR do not require removal of the identification markings and/or\nplacards when a package has a residue of a Class 9 hazardous substance. However, the\nshipping paper should be consistent with the transport vehicle's hazard communications by\nprefacing the shipping description with \"REȘIDUE Last Contained ***» as provided by\n§ 172.203(e)(1). However, markings or placards may be removed when the Class 9\nhazardous substance residue is below its reportable quantity. No shipping paper is necessary\nif placards and markings are removed.\nI hope this information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to\ncontact us.\nSincerely,\nDelme Allig\nDelmer F. Billings\nChief, Regulations Development\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nGeorge\nFile: 1230112151234)\nDoW\nSC: 230,355\n2020 WH Dow Center\nC-1306\nThe Dow Chemical Company\nMto.sd. Michaun 46074\nNovember 5, 1997\nMr. Edward Mazzullo, Director\nHazardous Materials Standards, DHM-31\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Transportation\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n400 Seventh St. S.W.\nWashington, DC 20590-0001\nHAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RESIDUES IN TANK CARS AND TANK TRUCKS\nIt has recently come to the attention of Richard Humburg and myself that the DOT may\nhave received a request for an interpretation on the subject from Mr. Jack Gibbs of BASF.\nDow Chemical respectfully offers its comments as an interested party in an effort to ensure\na continuation of what we believe to be the prevailing industry practice.\nIn contention is whether tank cars and tank trucks that previously contained only Class 9\nHazardous Substances may be returned from the consignee without removing the ID\nnumber marking and/or placards.\nDow Chemical believes that either retaining or removal of marking and/or placards are\nacceptable alternatives, particularly if shipping papers are consistent with the practice. We\nthink that the alternatives are adequately supported in the letters of DOT's Mr. Metcalf\n(213/81) and Mr. Billings (4/18/94) and in CFR 49, 171.8 definition of a hazardous\nmaterials and a residue and in 172.303 and 173.29.\nWith the advent of electronic shipping papers, shippers and railroads are communicating in\na manner, such that the original shipping information in the railroad computer is used to\ngenerate the return hazardous material documentation. Under those circumstances the\nreturn shipping documents contain a hazardous material description of the hazardous\nsubstance. Any action that significantly alters the manner in which tank cars containing\nresidues of hazardous substances are handled would be difficult and costly to manage by\nboth shippers and carriers. Additionally, we don't believe the current practice has a\ndetrimental effect on safety.\n•\n-\nPlease feel free to contact either Richard or me if any additional information is required.\nSincerely,\nHugh Taylar\nHugh Taylor\nRegulatory Specialist\n517 636 8058\nFax: 517 636 8767\nRichard Humburg\n517 636 4126\nEnclosures:Documents from Mr. Metcalf, Mr. Billings & FRA","truncated":false,"body_characters":3709}