Interpretation Response #09-0209 ([INDSPEC Chemical Corporation] [Ms. Vicki H. Weightman])
Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.
Interpretation Response Details
Response Publish Date:
Company Name: INDSPEC Chemical Corporation
Individual Name: Ms. Vicki H. Weightman
Location State: PA Country: US
View the Interpretation Document
Response text:
April 21, 2010
Ms. Vicki H. Weightman
Manager, Technical Services and Regulatory Affairs
INDSPEC Chemical Corporation
1010 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Ref. No. 09-0209
Dear Ms. Weightman:
This responds to your September 2, 2009 letter requesting clarification of requirements for loading tank cars with hazardous materials under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask whether the tank car loading operation must be attended.
Section 173.31 provides general requirements for transporting hazardous materials in tank cars, including tank car loading and unloading requirements. Additional requirements for loading and handling tank cars are in § 174.55. Section 174.67 establishes requirements for transloading tank cars - that is, for transferring hazardous materials from one tank car to another tank car or from a tank car to a cargo tank motor vehicle or vice versa. Transloading operations must be attended in accordance with § 174.67(i); however, the HMR do not include specific requirements for attending rail tank car loading operations.
We have initiated a rulemaking to consider whether additional measures are necessary to reduce the risks associated with loading and unloading of bulk packagings containing hazardous materials, including rail tank cars. We plan to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in 2010.
I hope this answers your inquiry. If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact our office.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Betts
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.31, 174.55, 174.67