Applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations to Loading, Unloading, and Storage

Summary: RSPA is clarifying the applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to specific functions and activities, including hazardous materials loading and unloading operations and storage of hazardous materials during transportation. We are also listing in the HMR pre-transportation functions to which the HMR apply. Pre-transportation functions are functions performed to prepare hazardous materials for transportation in commerce by persons who offer a hazardous material for transportation or cause a hazardous material to be transported. Transportation functions are functions performed as part of the actual movement of hazardous materials in commerce, including loading, unloading, and storage of hazardous materials that is incidental to that movement. For purposes of applicability of the HMR, ``transportation in commerce'' begins when a carrier takes possession of a hazardous material and continues until the carrier delivers the package containing the hazardous material to its destination as indicated on shipping papers or other shipping documentation.