[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18257]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 173

[Docket HM-224A; Notice No. 97-5]
RIN 2137-AD02


Hazardous Materials: Shipping Description and Packaging of Oxygen 
Generators; Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: On July 23, 1997, RSPA will meet with representatives of the 
Boeing Company and other interested parties to discuss requirements 
concerning the transportation of chemical oxygen generators, including 
the shipping description and packaging of these generators, as issued 
by RSPA in final rules on June 5 and 27, 1997. Any interested party is 
welcome to attend this meeting.

DATES: Public Meeting. The public meeting will be held on July 23, 1997 
beginning at 12:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Public Meeting. The public meeting will be held in meeting 
facilities of the Boeing Company in Renton, Washington, at Longacres 
Park, in the T.A. Wilson Conference Room in Building 25-01.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Nels Johansen of the Boeing 
Company concerning more particular details in regard to the July 23, 
1997 meeting: Telephone 206-662-9707, E-mail 
[email protected]. Questions concerning the requirements for 
transporting chemical oxygen generators may be addressed to Dr. Richard 
Tarr, Office of Hazardous Materials Exemptions and Approvals, RSPA, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001; telephone (202) 366-
4496, E-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 5, 1997, RSPA published a final rule 
in the Federal Register (62 FR 30767) which amended the requirements in 
the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), 49 CFR parts 171-180, 
concerning the transportation of chemical oxygen generators. On June 
27, 1997, RSPA published a subsequent final rule correction (62 FR 
34667) which made editorial corrections and clarifications in addition 
to delaying the mandatory compliance date.
    Effective August 7, 1997, the shipping description, ``Oxygen 
generator, chemical, 5.1, UN 3356, II,'' must be used. After September 
30, 1997, a chemical oxygen generator that is shipped with its means of 
initiation attached must incorporate at least two positive means of 
preventing unintentional activation of the generator, and must be 
classed and approved by RSPA's Associate Administrator for Hazardous 
Materials Safety. Each person who offers a chemical oxygen generator 
for transportation after September 30, 1997, shall: (1) Ensure that it 
is offered in conformance with conditions of the approval; (2) maintain 
a copy of the approval at each facility where the chemical oxygen 
generator is packaged; and (3) mark the approval number on the outside 
of the package.
    A chemical oxygen generator may not be transported as cargo on a 
passenger-carrying aircraft. When transported by cargo-only aircraft, a 
chemical oxygen generator must conform to the provisions of the 
approval issued by RSPA's Associate Administrator for Hazardous 
Materials Safety and must be contained in a packaging prepared and 
originally offered for transportation by the approval holder.
    RSPA has received numerous questions on these requirements, 
including procedures for obtaining approvals, since these requirements 
were adopted in the final rules issued on June 5 and 27, 1997. RSPA has 
accepted an invitation to meet with representatives of the Boeing 
Company to discuss these requirements on July 23, 1997, in Renton, 
Washington. Any interested party may participate in this meeting. It is 
suggested that interested parties contact Mr. Nels Johansen for more 
specific details in regard to the meeting location.

    Issued in Washington, DC on July 8, 1997, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR, part 106.
Alan I. Roberts,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 97-18257 Filed 7-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P