PRE> [Federal Register: October 30, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 210)] [Rules and 
Regulations] [Page 66055-66056] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access 
[wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30oc02-9] 
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----------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTAL 
SERVICE 39 CFR Part 111 Metal Strapping Materials on Pallets AGENCY: Postal 
Service. ACTION: Final rule. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: 
This final rule revises the standards for securing pallets of mail, whether an 
individual pallet of mail, a pallet composed of several individual pallets 
stacked to form a single unit, or a pallet with a pallet box containing mail, by 
excluding the use of metal strapping or metal banding material. These revisions 
will also exclude metal buckles, seals, or other devices used to secure the ends 
of nonmetal strapping material used on pallets of mail. These revisions will not 
change current approved methods or other materials for securing the mail to 
pallets. EFFECTIVE DATE: May 31, 2003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: O.B. 
Akinwole, (703) 292-3643. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 24, 2002, the 
Postal Service published for public comment in the Federal Register a proposed 
rule (FR 67 48425-48426) that excluded the use of metal strapping or metal 
banding material to secure pallets of mail, whether an individual pallet of 
mail, a pallet composed of several individual pallets stacked to form a single 
unit, or a pallet with a pallet box containing mail. The Postal Service also 
invited comments on the proposed rule from interested [[Page 66056]] parties and 
accepted comments until August 23, 2002. This final rule contains the DMM 
standards adopted by the Postal Service after review of the comment that was 
submitted. Evaluation of Comments Received The Postal Service received one piece 
of correspondence offering comments on the July 24 proposed rule. The respondent 
is a large business mailer. Based on additional costs expected to be incurred, 
due to stock on hand, the mailer proposed a December 31, 2003, implementation 
date. Metal straps, bands, buckles, or seals used to secure the ends of other 
nonmetal strapping material, can create serious safety hazards to personnel and 
equipment preparing, processing and distributing the mail. In addition, the 
accumulation and disposal of metal strapping materials can create additional 
hazardous situations and environmental concerns. It should be noted that current 
Postal Service standards for packaging mail prohibit the use of metal or wire 
for securing mail into packages, and the standards for traying mail specify the 
use of plastic straps for securing tray sleeves and lids. The Postal Service is 
committed to integrating safety into all postal operations, not only for its 
employees but also for its customers. Serious injuries, such as deep cuts, can 
occur when metal bands are applied, often when removed. In addition, the Postal 
Service is committed to conservation initiatives and supports environmentally 
sound practices. In keeping with these two commitments, the Postal Service 
believes that eliminating the use of metal straps or on palletized mail will 
improve employee and customer safety and promote better resource conservation. 
The Domestic Mail Manual is revised as follows. These changes are incorporated 
by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR part 111. List of 
Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 Administrative practice and procedure, Postal 
Service. PART 111--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 111 
continues to read as follows: Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 
403, 404, 414, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001. 2. Revise the 
following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as set forth below: 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) * * * * * M Mail Preparation and Sortation M000 
General Preparation Standards * * * * * M040 Pallets M041 General Standards * * 
* * * 1.0 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS * * * * * 1.3 Securing Pallets [Revise 1.3 to 
read as follows:] Except for stacked pallets under 3.1 and pallet boxes under 
4.3, each loaded pallet of mail must be prepared to maintain the integrity of 
the mail and the entire pallet load during transport and handling using one of 
the following methods: a. Securing with at least two straps or bands of 
appropriate material. Wire or metal bands, straps, buckles, seals, and similar 
metal fastening devices may not be used. b. Wrapping with stretchable or 
shrinkable plastic. c. Securing with at least two straps or bands of appropriate 
material and wrapping with stretchable or shrinkable plastic. Wire and metal 
bands and straps, metal buckles, metal seals, and similar metal fastening 
devices may not be used. * * * * * 3.0 STACKING PALLETS [Revise the heading of 
3.1 and the text of item d to read as follows:] 3.1 Physical Characteristics * * 
* * * d. The stack of pallets is secured with at least two straps or bands of 
appropriate material to maintain the integrity of the stacked pallets during 
transport and handling. Wire or metal bands, straps, buckles, seals, and similar 
metal fastening devices may not be used. The stack of pallets may not be secured 
together with stretchable or shrinkable plastic. * * * * * 4.0 PALLET BOXES * * 
* * * 4.3 Securing [Revise 4.3 to read as follows:] Pallet boxes must be secured 
to the pallet with strapping, banding, stretchable, plastic, shrinkwrap, other 
material (Wire or metal bands, straps, buckles, seals, and similar metal 
fastening devices may not be used) that ensures that the pallet can be safely 
unloaded from vehicles, transported, and processed as a single unit to the point 
where the contents are distributed with the load intact if: * * * * * * * * An 
appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 111 will be published to reflect the changes. 
Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative. [FR Doc. 02-27499 Filed 10-29-02; 
8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P