President

DonaldBossow
Sr Mgr NA Reg Affairs/Global Systems

Diversey, Inc.

First Vice President

Sean Broderick
Senior Manager, Global Govt Relations

Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC

Second Vice President/Treasurer

Dave Madsen
HazMat Analyst

Autoliv ASP, Inc.

Secretary

AmyFischesser
Corporate Hazardous Materials Manager

Sun Chemical Corporation

Executive Committee Member

Robert Heinrich

Transportation Safety Advisor

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Board of Directors

John D'Aloia
Manager Transportation Compliance

Mary Kay

Jeanette DeGennaro
EHS Compliance Mgr.

Instrumentation Laboratory

Trevor Howard
Mgr Safety/Dangerous Goods Standards

Air Canada

James Jahnke
Sr. Manager Dangerous Goods

Merck and Co.

Richard Lattimer
Consultant-HSE

Eli Lilly and Company

David Littlejohn

Corporate Safety Advisor

FedEx Express

Boyd Stephenson
Director, Hazardous Materials Policy

American Trucking Associations, Inc.

Carrie Wayne
Global Manager, Trans. Safety
Honeywell International

Daniel Wieten
National Mgr Compliance Plan & Admin
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

Jeanne Zmich
Vice President R&D
Labelmaster

General Counsel

RichardSchweitzer, PLLC

RichardSchweitzer, PLLC

Primary receptacles/Flammable Liquids

The HMR (§173.150) allows for class 3 (flammable liquids) in packing group II (initial boiling point greater than 95ºF (35ºC) and flashpoint less than 73ºF (23ºC)) as a limited quantity with the following (for surface transportation):

  • Inner packaging (primary receptacles) not over 1.0L (0.3 gallons) net capacity each
  • Packed in strong outer packaging
  • Maximum gross weight of the package not to exceed 66 pounds (30 kg).

Currently, the USPS Packaging Instruction 3A for flammable liquids with a flashpoint greater than 20ºF (-7º C) but not more than 73ºF (23º C) limits the primary receptacle to one per mailpiece (for surface transportation). The requirements are:

  • A metal primary receptacle must not exceed 1 quart.
  • A nonmetal primary receptacle must not exceed 1 pint.
  • The primary receptacle must have a screw cap (with minimum of one–and–one–half turns), soldering clips, or other means of secure closure (friction tops are not acceptable).
  • Only one primary receptacle is permitted per mailpiece.

COSTHA requests the USPS consider following modifications to Packing Instruction 3A with a flashpoint greater than 20ºF (-7ºC) but not more than 73ºF (23ºC)to permit the primary receptacle and amount per mailpiece as follows:

  • A metal primary receptacle must not exceed 1 quart.0.3 gallons (1.0L)
  • A nonmetal primary receptacle must not exceed 1 pint(0.5L).
  • The primary receptacle must have a screw cap (with minimum of one–and–one–half turns), soldering clips, or other means of secure closure (friction tops are not acceptable).
  • Only one primary receptacle is permitted per mailpiece.
  • Maximum per mailpiece of 25 lbs. (11 kg).

Additionally, COSTHA requests USPS consider modifying Packaging Instruction 3A for flammable liquids with a flashpoint greater than 73ºF (23ºC) but less than 100ºF (38ºC) to allow a maximum per mailpiece of 25 lbs. (11 kg) rather than only one primary receptacle per mailpiece.

COSTHA appreciates the USPS consideration of exceptions to Pub. 52 that we feel will enhance safety through uniformity and harmonization with those requirements already codified in the HMR.

Sincerely,

L’Gena Shaffer

Technical Consultant

The Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles, Inc.

7803 Hill House Court, FairfaxStation, VA 22039 703/451-4031 FAX: 703/451-4207