The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced that it will step up enforcement of a requirement that prohibits motor carriers from placing “extraneous information” on placards and placard holders reserved for hazardous materials information. The regulation has been in effect since October 1, 1997, but mandatory enforcement did not go into effect until October 1, 2001.
The placard rule (HM-206) was published on January 8, 1997. FMCSA’s intention in amending the hazardous materials (hazmat) regulations was to improve safety by better identifying hazmats in transportation. In its final rule, FMCSA noted that “Improved identification of, and information about, hazardous materials in transportation assists emergency response personnel in responding to and mitigating the effects of incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials, and improves safety to transportation workers and the public.”
Section 172.502 of HM-206 specifically prohibits the display of extraneous information, signs, or slogans on placards, placard-type displays, and in placard holders that by their color, shape, design or content could be mistaken for a hazard warning placard. The Agency believes that extraneous information on placards reduces the ability of emergency responders to readily recognize vital hazard-alerting information. FMCSA has expressed concern that, in crashes, emergency responders searching for informative placards are thrown off by extraneous information, such as signs saying “drive safely” or “have a nice day.”
Violators are subject to civil penalties of at least $250 and up to $27,000 per violation. The placard rule is available for review at http://hazmat.dot.gov/rules/hm206.htm .
