Interpretation Response #04-0140 ([Florida Power and Light Co] [Mr. Frank Nesbihal])
Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.
Interpretation Response Details
Response Publish Date:
Company Name: Florida Power and Light Co
Individual Name: Mr. Frank Nesbihal
Location State: FL Country: US
View the Interpretation Document
Response text:
Jul 13, 2004
Mr. Frank Nesbihal Reference No. 04-0140
Senior Environmental Specialist
Florida Power and Light Co.
700 Universe Blvd. JES/JB
Juno Beach, Florida 33408
Dear Mr. Nesbihal:
This is in response to your May 17, 2004 email requesting clarification of the hazardous materials training requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask whether the training requirements apply to your employees who unload hazardous materials in 250-gallon tote containers or other non-bulk packages from a carrier’s vehicle.
The hazardous materials training requirements in Subpart H of Part 172 of the HMR establish training requirements for hazardous materials employees (hazmat employees). A hazmat employee means a person who, in the course of his employment, directly affects hazardous materials transportation safety (see § 171.8). Hazmat employees must receive general awareness/familiarization, function-specific, safety, and security awareness training.
Your email references a final rule we published on October 3, 2003 in the Federal Register (68 FR 61906) under Docket No. HM-223. This final rule clarifies the applicability of the HMR to specific transportation-related functions and operations, including loading, unloading, and storage operations. With regard to unloading operations, the HM-223 final rule reiterated our long-standing determination that unloading operations that occur after a hazardous material has been delivered to its destination and the delivering carrier has departed from the premises are not subject to the HMR requirements. For example, if the carrier delivers a trailer-load of hazardous materials packages to your facility, leaves the trailer at your facility, and then departs, your unloading operations that occur after the carrier’s departure are not subject to HMR requirements, including training requirements.
The unloading operation you describe is a transportation function as that term is defined in the HM-223 final rule. Consistent with our long-standing determinations concerning activities regulated under the HMR, transportation functions include “unloading incidental to movement.” “Unloading incidental to movement” includes unloading operations that are conducted by facility personnel prior to the carrier’s departure from the premises. For this type of unloading operation, your employees who unload the non-bulk packages from the carrier’s vehicle are hazmat employees and are subject to the training requirements in Subpart H of Part 172.
You are correct that the HMR do not include specific requirements for unloading non-bulk packages from trailers or containers. However, the HMR include general unloading requirements in § 177.834, some of which may apply to the unloading operation you describe. Training for your employees must include the general unloading requirements, in addition to general awareness/familiarization, safety, and security awareness training.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
John A. Gale
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
172.700, 177.834
Regulation Sections
| Section | Subject |
|---|---|
| 172.700 | Purpose and scope |
| 177.834 | General requirements |