Search

PHMSA Relaxes Position on Hazmat Package Closures and Tape

Posted on 6/8/2018 by Roger Marks

Tape-on-orange.jpgIn May 2018, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a new interpretation of the 49 CFR hazmat rules to clarify the agency’s position on package closures.

In the past, PHMSA has held that “changing the size (e.g., width) of tape from that specified in the packaging test report and closure notification constitutes a change in design.“

Join other hazmat shippers and an expert instructor at the DOT Hazmat Ground Shipper Certification Workshop, coming to Detroit on June 18—19 and Cincinnati on June 19-20,

This meant that if the closure instructions for your package call for a one-inch wide strip of “XYZ tape” to secure the box, and you instead use a two-inch piece of XYZ tape, you’ve will have violated the HMR by using a package of a different “design” to ship your material.  

The consultant who requested clarification from PHMSA argued successfully in his letter that using a wider strip of tape would only improve package performance, provided that the tape was of the same type required in the closure instructions/notification.

In response, PHMSA rescinded its previous interpretations and now says: 

“…increasing the width of the tape from that specified in the packaging test report and closure notification does not constitute a change in design, provided the tape is otherwise of the same specification originally tested.”
tape-Class-9.JPG
Hopefully, this latest PHMSA interpretation will stick. See the PHMSA letter of interpretation here.


Hazardous Materials Shipper Training (49 CFR, IATA, IMDG) 

Meet DOT and IATA training mandates in cities nationwide in 2018. Be confident your shipments are in full compliance with the latest 49 CFR and DGR requirements for ground or air transport, earn CM Points and CEUs, and leave with trusted resources to simplify compliance and support your decisions.
 

Tags: dangerous, goods, hazmat, hazmat shipping, new rules, PHMSA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Lion courses are the standard to which all other workshops should strive for!

Brody Saleen

Registered Environmental Health Specialist

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Hazardous materials shipment rejections bear a big cost. Use this guide to end operational and logistical disruptions that severely impact your bottom line.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.