International Union UAW — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

Page 1of Transportation U.S. Department 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Materials Safety Pipeline and Hazardous Administration JAN 2 5 2013 Andrew Comai International Union UAW 8000 E Jefferson Detroit, MI 48103 Reference No. 12-0175 Dear Mr. Comai: This is in response to your e-mail requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR 171-180) applicable to a woman dying following a hazardous material incident. Following is your description of the incident: A driver working at a trucking terminal pumps diesel fuel into a truck's fuel tanks as a normal part of her work. In the case of diesel spills she responds to spills with defensive measures. (Another worker who handles bulk storage transfers of diesel fuel is trained in spill cleanup). The driver is doused with fuel as she removes the pump from the tank of the vehicle. Some diesel fuel is spilled, not enough to trigger "Reportable Quantity" requirements under DOT [U.S. Department of Transportation], EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], or OSHA [U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational, Safety and Health Administration]. However, some of the spilled diesel fuel soaks the worker's clothing. The worker handling the fuel is sent to a hospital fter finding the emergency eyewash and shower are non-functional omplaining of inhalation of diesel vapors, and burning skin where th diesel came in contact with the body. She dies the next day from acute respiratory distress syndrome triggered by "possible inhalation of diesel fuel." Your questions are paraphrased and answered as follows: Q1. Does the employee (driver) meet the definition of "hazmat employee" in § 171.8 of the HMR? Al. Based on the information in your e-mail, we do not have sufficient information to determine if the driver meets the definition of "hazmat employee" under § 171.8 of the HMR. The definition of "hazmat employee" reads in part that a person, who in the course of employment, directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety;#

Page 2loads, unloads, or handles hazardous materials; prepares hazardous materials for transportation; is responsible for the safety of transporting hazardous materials; or, operates a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials. PHMSA has no knowledge as to what cargo the driver was transporting. Filling the fuel tank to drive a truck is not a pre- transportation function, as defined in § 171.8. Q2. Does this incident qualify as a "reportable incident" according to § 171.15 (b) of the HMR? A2. No, the decedent driver was filling up the fuel tank for operating the truck. The incident did not involve the cargo, which may or may not have been a hazardous material. Q3. What specific exemptions or exceptions apply to the incident, the work process being performed, the employee's status as a possible hazmat employee, or any other aspect of the incident? A3. None. Q4. incident? Is there a statute of limitations for a complaint to be filed with DOT regarding this A4. No. Hazardous materials incidents should be reported as soon as practicable, but no later than 12 hours after the incident, to the National Response Center (NRC). An incident report should be filed within 30 days. I hope this information is helpful. Please contact this office should you have additional questions. Sincerely, foul solome esenh Solome Assistant Chief Counsel for Hazardous Materials Safety#