Interpretation Response #11-0289 ([CH2MHILL Plateau Remediation] [Mr. Chris Backus])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date: 03/30/2012

Company Name: CH2MHILL Plateau Remediation

Individual Name: Mr. Chris Backus

Location State: WA Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

March 30, 2012 

Mr. Chris Backus
Packaging Engineer
Transportation Safety
CH2MHILL
Plateau Remediation Company
P.O. Box 1600 MSIN T3-11
Richland, WA  99354

Ref. No.:  11-0289

Dear Mr. Backus:

This responds to your e-mail regarding the definition of "lifting attachment" under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-80) used to lift and properly secure Class 7 (radioactive) material packagings onto a conveyance.  Subsequently, you provided pictures and diagrams of the packaging.  You provided a scenario as follows:

As your company often lifts steel boxes with a fork truck by placing the fork arms" inside pockets on the container bottom, are the fork pockets and the surrounding structural framework of the metal container considered a "lifting attachment that is a structural part of the package."  "Would it then follow that all of these steel structural members (e.g., C-Channels, sheet metal, structural tubing, etc.) must have a minimum safety factor of three against yielding when used to lift the package with the fork truck."

Specifically, you ask what is meant by "lifting attachment" as used in §173.410(b), and whether fork pockets and the surrounding structural framework on steel boxes would be considered to be lifting attachments.

Each package used for the shipment of Class 7 (radioactive) materials must be designed so that the package can be easily handled and properly secured in or on a conveyance during transportation.  Section 173.410(b) requires that each package used for the shipment of Class 7 (radioactive) materials must be designed so that:

Each lifting attachment that is a structural part of the package must be designed with a minimum safety factor of three against yielding when used to lift the package in the intended manner, and it must be designed so that failure of any lifting attachment under excessive load would not impair the ability of the package to meet other requirements of this subpart. 

Any other structural part of the package which could be used to lift the package must be capable of being rendered inoperable for lifting the package during transport or must be designed with strength equivalent to that required for lifting attachments.

As you note the boxes are often lifted by placing the arms of a fork truck into the pockets, the pockets would be considered to be lifting attachments.  Other structural members that could not reasonably be used to lift the package by a fork truck or other means would not be considered to be lifting attachments.  Any other structural part of the package must be capable of being rendered inoperable for lifting the package during transport or must be designed with strength equivalent to that required for lifting attachments (see §173.410(b)).

I hope this information is helpful.  If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.

Sincerely, 

Ben Supko
Acting Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards 

173.410(b)

Regulation Sections