Interpretation Response #21-0077
Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.
Interpretation Response Details
Response Publish Date:
Company Name: Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc.
Individual Name: Jeff McLaughlin
Location State: WA Country: US
View the Interpretation Document
Response text:
November 15, 2021
Mr. Jeff McLaughlin
Pacific Northwest Safety Supervisor
Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc.
PO Box 1469
Auburn, WA 98071
Reference No. 21-0077
Dear Mr. McLaughlin:
This letter is in response to your July 19, 2021, letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the visibility and display of placards on highway motor vehicles. Specifically, you attach three photographs and ask whether the placards—as displayed in the photographs—meet the requirements of § 172.516.
We have paraphrased and answered your questions with respect to the specific photographs provided as follows:
Q1. You ask whether the photograph of the oxidizer placard shows the placard as meeting the requirements of § 172.516(c)(6) for format, legibility, color, and visibility of the placard.
A1. The answer is yes. It is the opinion of this Office that the placard displayed in the photograph has not been “substantially reduced” with respect to its format, legibility, color, and visibility.
Q2. You further ask whether the oxidizer placard meets the requirements of §§ 172.550 and 172.516(c)(5).
A2. The answer is yes. The pictured oxidizer placard appears to meet the placard design requirements of § 172.550 and the formatting requirements of § 172.516(c)(5). The minor offset present in the hinged placard pictured neither adversely impacts the legibility of the word "OXIDIZER" nor the format and color of the placard. Please note that other relevant factors for determining placard compliance, including placard size, cannot be determined from this photograph.
Q3. You ask whether the photograph of the flammable placards shows the placards as meeting the requirements of § 172.516(c)(6) for format, legibility, color, and visibility of the placards.
A3. The answer is yes. It is the opinion of this Office that the placards displayed in the photograph have not been "substantially reduced" with respect to their format, legibility, color, and visibility.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Dirk Der Kinderen
Chief, Standards Development Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division
172.550, 172.516, 172.516(c)(6), 172.516(c)(5)