The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced that it has identified more than 300 cargo tanks equipped with rear-end protection devices that do not comply with specifications in the federal hazardous materials regulations. FMCSA is requiring the tanks be removed from hazardous materials transportation service.
The rear-end protection devices in question were designed and certified by Chemical Transportation Equipment Consultants (CTEC), Lubbock, Texas, which is no longer in business, according to FMCSA.
These certified designs were sold to Bulk Truck and Transport in Hanover, Indiana, and Eagle Fabrication and Repair, Oak Harbor, Ohio. Both companies accepted the designs in good faith, according to FMCSA. These companies subsequently used the designs to manufacture rear-end protection devices and install them on cargo tanks, not knowing that the devices did not meet the requirements.
The vehicles are primarily used to transport anhydrous ammonia, propane, and other compressed gases. Failure of the protection devices in a rear impact collision may cause the cargo tanks to leak, which could result in serious injury, death, and property damage, according to FMCSA.
FMCSA is notifying the owners of these tanks that they are no longer authorized to transport hazardous materials in the tanks unless they are modified to meet federal safety standards. FMCSA also is requesting documentation from the owners of these tanks, showing that modifications have brought these cargo tanks into compliance, or that the tanks have been removed from hazardous materials service.
The FMCSA Midwest Service Center will identify the cargo tanks based on sales records or other documents from the manufacturers and provide a copy of the Federal Register Notice to each owner via certified mail, return receipt requested.
For more information contact Joe DeLorenzo, (708) 283-3572. Midwest Service Center, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, 19900 Governors Drive, Suite 210, Olympia Fields, Illinois 60461. Photographs of the vehicles can be found on the Department of Transportation Web site at www.dot.gov/affairs/cargo.