confused by regulation

I have a questions, a company I work with has me picking up 55 gallon drums of oil, however I don't have hazmat license and neither do their vehicles, according to the owner we don't need them however I am under the impression we do. The drum of oil are coming directly from the manufacturer so they are all brand new, shrink wrapped, banded and all that. I might be hard headed but I'm pretty sure it's hazmat am I correct?

 

I would say that load is a haz mat load. You better make sure because if somehow you get stopped and it is a hazardous load, you will get a huge fine and the boss won't be responsible for it!!!

 

After some quick research, apparently motor oil is not considered a hazmat load unless it is used. I guess your company was correct. But don't take mine or their word for it, it is your license at stake. Good luck!!

 

IF the shipment is HAZMAT it MUST be MARKED AS SUCH--and each part of the shipment MUST have proper placards--therefor if drums were HAZ each one would be clearly marked with it's own placard--
There are lots of loads shipped in drums that are not HAZ--including many different types of oils--and although it would be YOUR ###--hauling something your not licensed/or company does not have the authority to do--it is clearly the SHIPPERS responsibility to properly label and document the load--LONG before you get anywhere near it!
Just Sayin

 

Okay, great thank you all so much for your help.

 

Your company is correct. 49CFR 173.150 (f)(2) contains the exception for combustible liquids in non-bulk packages.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...8&view=text&node=49:2.1.1.3.9.4.25.20&idno=49

 

not all oil is mazmat. the oil hauled to refiners is placarded. food oil is not. bio fuel is also not hazmat.

so it depends on the product and type.

and yes i've hauled it.

 

While it may or may not be Hazmat, if transporting liquid in containers holding 120 gallons or more with an aggregate over 1000 gallons it would require a tanker endorsement. 55 gallon drums would be exempt (the way I read the tanker definition in 383.5), BUT most totes put you into tanker territory, something to be aware of.

TS

 

Yep, there's a thread here somewhere addressing this and it seems to be not very widely known.

 

When you get there ask the shipper.. If he says no... Before you sign paperwork look at the reportable quanities... it has to be marked on the paperwork.. in like 3 places.. If it is hazardous it will have the numbers telling what to refer to in your emergency response book.. and your hazardous book.. but if you don't have the endorsement you don't sign paperwork.

Having said that I have haul fresh oil from Arlington Height Il Texaco and it wasn't hazardous... It confused me but no placards were required..