{"operation":"document","citation":"99-0158","title":"Premedica Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"1999-07-28","effective_on":null,"summary":"99-0158 response to Premedica Corporation concerning 171.1.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0158.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0158.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-99-0158","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990158.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\n400 Seventh Street, S.W.\nWashington, D.C.\n20590\nSpecial Programs\nResearch and\nAdministration\nJUL 2 8 1999\nMr. Joseph K. Arsenault\nRef. No. 99-0158\nPrimedica Corporation\n57 Union Street\nWorcester, MA\n01608\nDear Mr. Arsenault:\nThis is in response to your letter dated June 9, 1999, concerning\nthe definition of commerce as specified in § 171.1 of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) as it\npertains to transporting infectious substances.\nAs specified in § 171.1, the HMR govern the safe transportation\nof hazardous materials in intrastate, interstate and foreign\ncommerce.\nThe term \"in commerce\" means the furtherance of a\ncommercial enterprise. A state agency or local jurisdiction that\ntransports hazardous materials for governmental purposes using\nits own personnel is not engaged in transportation in commerce,\ncommerce\" excludes from\nand therefore, not subject to the HMR.\nIn addition, \"in\nregulation the transportation of\nhazardous materials in a\nprivate vehicle where the material is\nfor personal use.\nBased upon the scenario that you provided, if Beth Israel\nHospital is a non-governmental hospital, the physician is\ntransporting infectious\nsubstances in commerce, and therefore, is\nsubject to the HMR.\nThis includes, but is not limited to, the\ntraining requirements under Part 172, Subpart H.\nI hope this satisfies your request.\nSincerely,\nIransportation Regulations Specialis1\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n990158\n171/\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nJUN-09-1999\n10:10\nP.02/02\nBAH\n:\nPRIMEDICA\n57 Union Street | Worcester, MA 01609\n8 11 1\nJune 9,1999\n99-6158\nMichael Johnson\nDOT\nJoseph K. Arsenault\nHazardous Materials Hotline\nPrimedica\n57 Union Street\nhorcester, MA 01608\n(508) 890-0127\n(508) 795-7752 (FAX)\nSIR:\nAs per our conversation of 6/8/99 I still have questions as to the situation I\ndescribed. Once again We have a Dr. who is acting as an agent of Beth Israel Hospital\nin Boston, MA. He is not certifled tó transport Infectious materials as he has never\nbeen trained perguant to 49 CFR 172 Subpart H. There 1s dissagteement in my company\nas to whether he needs to be certified, and although you provided me with letter:\n11e cere subpar\non goverment agencies being exempt It still does not answer my specifíc question.\nMy questions to be precise are as follows:\nThe argument is that he is not in commerce because he 1s not a commercial carrier.\n(1) What constitutes \"IN COMMERCE\" ?\n(2) Does a physician If he is deemed to be \"IN COMMERCE\" need to be certified Persuant to\nche above stated regulations: It he is carrying infectious materials on public roadways ?\n(3) Specifically, who is exempt from 49 CFR regularions ?\nI would appreciate if you could answer these specifle questions as they apply to our\nsituation, so we can come to a factually supported position on this issue.\nThank you very much for all your help in this very confusing matter.\nJoseph K. Arsenault\nShipping coordinator for PRIMEDICA\nPrimedica Corporation | Tel 508.890.0100 | Fax 508.753.1834! www.primedica.com\nTOTAL P.02","truncated":false,"body_characters":3077}