[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48425-48426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18732]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Metal Strapping Materials on Pallets

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes revisions to the Domestic Mail 
Manual that would exclude the use of metal strapping or metal banding 
material to secure pallets of mail, whether an individual pallet of 
mail, a pallet composed of several individual pallets stacked to form a 
single unit, or a pallet with a pallet box containing mail. These 
proposed revisions would also exclude metal buckles, seals, or other 
devices used to secure the ends of nonmetal strapping material used on 
pallets of mail. These proposed revisions would not change current 
approved methods or other materials for securing the mail to pallets.
    Many mailers and the Postal Service are concerned about safety with 
the continued use of metal materials, as well as environmental issues, 
such as recycling. During the past 10 years, most pallet mailers and 
mailing operations have eliminated metal materials in favor of less 
expensive materials. For example, polyester, the most rigid of all 
strapping materials, has very good breaking strength, has only a 1-2 
percent elongation, retains tension well, and has excellent 
recyclability properties. Although steel is the strongest of strapping 
materials, it is expensive, can be dangerous to work with, and 
difficult to recycle.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mail 
Preparation and Standards, U.S. Postal Service Headquarters, 1735 N 
Lynn Street, Suite 3025, Arlington, VA 22209-6038. Copies of all 
written comments will be available for inspection and photocopying 
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Postal Service 
Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., 11th Floor North, 
Washington, DC. Comments may also be submitted via fax to 703-292-4058, 
ATTN: O.B. Akinwole.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: O.B. Akinwole at (703) 292-3643.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Current Postal Service standards for mail 
palletization in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) M041, whether for 
individual pallets, stacked pallets, or pallet boxes, affords mailers 
flexibility in choices to secure mail to a pallet. For an individual 
pallet, mailers may choose to use only straps or bands, only plastic 
stretchwrap or shrinkwrap, or a combination of straps or bands and 
plastic wrapping material. These various materials and methods may be 
used for individual pallets as long as the materials and methods are 
strong enough to secure the mail and maintain the integrity of the 
pallet load during transport and handling. For several pallets stacked 
to form a single unit, mailers must secure the pallets with at least 
two straps or bands. Stretchwrap and similar plastic covering materials 
are not permitted for securing these pallets into a single unit. For a 
pallet box, mailers are required to secure the pallet only if the 
pallet and the pallet box containing the mail are to be transported by 
the Postal Service, or the weight of the mail in the box is not 
sufficient to hold the box in place on the pallet during transport and 
processing.
    Metal straps, bands, buckles, or seals used to secure the ends of 
other nonmetal strapping material, can create serious safety hazards to 
personnel and equipment preparing, processing, and distributing the 
mail. In addition, the accumulation and disposal of metal strapping 
materials can create additional hazardous situations and environmental 
concerns. It should be noted that current Postal Service standards for 
packaging mail prohibit the use of metal or wire for securing mail into 
packages, and the standards for traying mail specify the use of plastic 
straps for securing tray sleeves and lids.
    The Postal Service is committed to integrating safety into all 
postal operations, not only for its employees but also for its 
customers. Serious injuries, such as deep cuts, can occur when metal 
bands are applied, often when removed. In addition, the Postal Service 
is committed to conservation initiatives and supports environmentally 
sound practices. In keeping with these two commitments, the Postal 
Service believes that eliminating the use of metal straps or bands on 
palletized mail would improve employee and customer safety and promote 
better resource conservation.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S. C. of 553 (b), (c)) regarding 
proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites 
public comment of the following proposed revisions to the Domestic Mail 
Manual, incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. 
See 39 CFR 111.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

PART 111--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S. C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 
3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. Revise the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
as set forth below:

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

M  Mail Preparation and Sortation

M000  General Preparation Standards

* * * * *

M040  Pallets

M041  General Standards

* * * * *
1.0  PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
* * * * *

1.3  Securing Pallets

[Revise 1.3 to read as follows:]

    Except for stacked pallets under 3.1 and pallet boxes under 4.3, 
each loaded pallet of mail must be prepared to maintain the integrity 
of the mail and the entire pallet load during transport and handling 
using one of the following methods:
    a. Securing with at least two straps or bands of appropriate 
material. Wire or metal bands, straps, buckles, seals, and similar 
metal fastening devices may not be used.
    b. Wrapping with stretchable or shrinkable plastic.
    c. Securing with at least two straps or bands of appropriate 
material and wrapping with stretchable or shrinkable plastic. Wire or 
metal bands, straps,

[[Page 48426]]

buckles, seals, and similar metal fastening devices may not be used.
* * * * *
3.0  STACKING PALLETS
[Revise the heading of 3.1 to read as follows:]

3.1  Physical Characteristics

    Pallets may be stacked two, three, or four tiers high if:

[Revise item d to read as follows:]
* * * * *
    d. The stack of pallets is secured with at least two straps or 
bands of appropriate material to maintain the integrity of the stacked 
pallets during transport and handling. Wire or metal bands, straps, 
buckles, seals, and similar metal fastening devices may not be used. 
The stack of pallets may not be secured together with stretchable or 
shrinkable plastic.
* * * * *
4.0  PALLET BOXES
* * * * *

4.3  Securing

[Revise the introductory text in 4.3 to read as follows:]

    Pallet boxes must be secured to the pallet with strapping, banding, 
stretchable, plastic, shrinkwrap, or other material (Wire or metal 
bands, straps, buckles, seals, and similar metal fastening devices may 
not be used.) that ensures that the pallet can be safely unloaded from 
vehicles, transported, and processed as a single unit to the point 
where the contents are distributed with the load intact if:
* * * * *
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 111 to reflect the changes will 
be published if the proposal is adopted.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 02-18732 Filed 7-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P