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HM-206 Alters requirements for Organic Peroxides, PIH, and Use of Dangerous Placard

By Roberta C. Barbalace

RSPA has finalized HM - 206, a new rule, which is designed to make it easier for emergency responders to identify hazardous materials while they are in transport.

  • These are the major changes:
    • A new Poison Inhalation Hazard (class 6) label and placard will be added to enhance the ready identification of PIH materials. Note that the mandatory compliance date for placards is 10/01/2001 and the mandatory date for the labels is Oct. 1, 1997, but both were authorized as of 2/11/1997.
    • The Poison Gas Label and placard will be replaced with a Poison Inhalation Hazard (Class 2 designation) label and placard. Again, the date of mandatory compliance for the label is 10/1/1997 and the date of mandatory compliance for the placard is 10/1/2001.
    • The placarding exception for the DANGEROUS placard will be lowered from 5000 pounds to 2,205 pounds (1,000 kg). This means that any time a quantity of a hazard class in excess of 2,205 pounds is loaded on a vehicle at one location, a placard for that hazard class will be required.
    • The fumigant marking and hazard warning requirements will be expanded to include all transport vehicles and containers, which have been fumigated.
    • Any quantity of "organic peroxide, type B, liquid or solid, temperature controlled" must be placarded.
  • Other requirements related requirements are as follows:
    • Carriers must instruct motor vehicle operators to contact them whenever a hazardous materials incident occurs.
    • Specific information must be kept with a trailer, semi trailer or freight container-on-chassis:
      1. When separated from its motive power (tractor) and
      2. Parked at other than a consignee's, cosigner's or carrier's facility.
    • No package bearing a POISON INHALATION HAZARD label may be transported with foodstuff or in a driver's compartment
    • ID number marking is required on vehicles or freight containers containing bulk packages (cargo tanks and IBCs) when the ID numbers on the bulk packages are not visible.
    • A train crew must have a document identifying where each rail car containing hazardous material is currently positioned.

Last modified: Feb. 13, 1999

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