[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 242 (Monday, December 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74738-74739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30246]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2012-0065]
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document
dated May 29, 2012, Peter J. Douglas, on behalf of Union Tank Car
Company (UTLX), has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal
railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 231-Railroad
Safety Appliance Standards; specifically, 49 CFR 231.21(f)(3) that
addresses the location of side handholds. FRA assigned the petition
Docket Number FRA-2012-0065.
UTLX requests relief for cars where the side horizontal handholds
are currently in compliance, as they intend to remove and replace the
four horizontal handholds with vertical handholds on each corner of
each car. Twelve cars are in the process of being constructed that are
affected by the requirements of 49 CFR 231.21(f)(3). UTLX contends that
the addition of the ergonomically designed vertical
[[Page 74739]]
handhold at each corner of the car would also eliminate the horizontal
handhold (``knee knocker'') when boarding the car, and thus eliminate a
tripping hazard while egressing. UTLX believes that the installation of
the vertical handhold provides a safer means for railroad employees
equipped with a radio, remote-control belt pack, and lantern to board
the end platform or ride while standing on the sill step, and maintain
three-point contact.
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications
concerning the petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal Holidays.
Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party
desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should notify FRA, in
writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for
their request.
All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number and may be submitted by any of the following
methods:
Web site: http://www.regulations.gov/. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC
20590.
Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
Communications received by January 31, 2013 will be considered by
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date
will be considered as far as practicable.
Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written
communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment,
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages
19477-78), or online at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 10, 2012.
Robert C. Lauby,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Regulatory and Legislative
Operations.
[FR Doc. 2012-30246 Filed 12-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P