[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66055-66056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27499]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Metal Strapping Materials on Pallets

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule revises the standards for securing 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, by excluding the use of metal 
strapping or metal banding material. These revisions will also exclude 
metal buckles, seals, or other devices used to secure the ends of 
nonmetal strapping material used on pallets of mail. These revisions 
will not change current approved methods or other materials for 
securing the mail to pallets.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 31, 2003.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 24, 2002, the Postal Service 
published for public comment in the Federal Register a proposed rule 
(FR 67 48425-48426) that excluded 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. 
The Postal Service also invited comments on the proposed rule from 
interested

[[Page 66056]]

parties and accepted comments until August 23, 2002. This final rule 
contains the DMM standards adopted by the Postal Service after review 
of the comment that was submitted.

Evaluation of Comments Received

    The Postal Service received one piece of correspondence offering 
comments on the July 24 proposed rule. The respondent is a large 
business mailer.
    Based on additional costs expected to be incurred, due to stock on 
hand, the mailer proposed a December 31, 2003, implementation date.
    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 on 
palletized mail will improve employee and customer safety and promote 
better resource conservation.
    The Domestic Mail Manual is revised as follows. These changes are 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 
CFR part 111.

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

3.1 Physical Characteristics

* * * * *
    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 4.3 to read as follows:]
    Pallet boxes must be secured to the pallet with strapping, banding, 
stretchable, plastic, shrinkwrap, 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 will be published to reflect 
the changes.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 02-27499 Filed 10-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P