Les Entreprises Michel Corbeil Inc., Denial of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 5408-5409 [E6-1373]

Download as PDF 5408 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2006 / Notices 1271–1287; Emergency Wetlands Resources Act, 16 U.S.C. 3921, 3931; TEA–21 Wetlands Mitigation, 23 U.S.C. 103(b)(6)(m), 133(b)(11); Flood Disaster Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. 4001–4128. 8. Executive Orders: E.O. 11990 Protection of Wetlands; E.O. 11988 Floodplain Management; E.O. 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations; E.O. 11593 Protection and Enhancement of Cultural Resources; E.O. 13007 Indian Sacred Sites; E.O. 13287 Preserve America; E.O. 13175 Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments; E.O. 11514 Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality; E.O. 13112 Invasive Species. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities apply to this program.) Authority: 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). Issued on: January 25, 2006. Dennis A. Decker, Division Administrator, Columbus, Ohio. [FR Doc. E6–1312 Filed 1–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2005–22970; Notice 2] cchase on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES Les Entreprises Michel Corbeil Inc., Denial of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance Les Entreprises Michel Corbeil Inc. (Corbeil) has determined that certain school buses that it produced in 2004 do not comply with S5.1 of 49 CFR 571.221, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 221, ‘‘School bus body joint strength.’’ Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h), Corbeil has petitioned for a determination that this noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety and has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, ‘‘Defect and Noncompliance Reports.’’ Notice of receipt of the petition was published, with a 30 day comment period, on November 23, 2005 in the Federal Register (70 FR 70914). NHTSA received no comments. Affected are a total of approximately 295 school buses produced between May 3, 2004 and June 4, 2004. S5.1 of FMVSS No. 221 requires that: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:49 Jan 31, 2006 Jkt 208001 * * * each body panel joint * * * when tested in accordance with the procedure of S6, shall hold the body panel to the member to which it is joined when subjected to a force of 60 percent of the tensile strength of the weakest joined body panel determined pursuant to S6.2. The longitudinal roof joint on some of the subject school buses fails when tested according to the requirements of S5.1. Corbeil believes that the noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety and that no corrective action is warranted. Corbeil states that during the period of production of the subject school buses, ‘‘the production used expired glue.’’ Corbeil estimates that 61 of the 295 buses could be affected, based on the number of expired glue cartridges that were used. Corbeil further states: * * * repairs could affect the structural integrity of these buses’ roofs. If we proceed with repairs, we must remove the actual MS polymer strips on the roof to reach the joints. This operation requires us to preheat (300– 600 °F) the MS polymer strip (will soften the MS polymer) but at the same time will cause a significant urethane chemical modification and will affect the actual joint strength. The roof joint is composed of urethane glue and this glue will be affected if the temperature is higher than 194 °F * * *. If our educated estimate is that only 61 buses on (sic) the 295 buses involved in this recall are affected, however they cannot be individually identified. Also, during the test, the transverse joint succeeded at 116% of the requirement and the longitudinal joint failed only by 9% with 91% of the requirement. The objective of this recall is to increase the strength of the joint. We presently suspect that a retrofit could affect/damage the roof rather to (sic) reinforce the joint. Corbeil states that no accidents or injuries have occurred as a result of this noncompliance. NHTSA has reviewed the petition and has determined that the noncompliance is not inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. With respect to the margin of noncompliance, Corbeil argues that the failing school bus joint reached 91 percent of the load required by the standard. In the petitioner’s opinion, not meeting the requirement by 9 percent of the required load is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. The agency disagrees. A significant injuryproducing characteristic of school bus crashes is exposure to sharp metal edges that occurs when body panels become separated from the structural components to which they have been fastened. In a crash, severe lacerations may result if the occupants of the bus are tossed against these edges. PO 00000 Frm 00177 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Moreover, if panel separation is extensive, the occupant may be ejected from the vehicle, significantly increasing the possibility of serious injury. This standard is intended to reduce the likelihood of this type of injury by requiring that body joints on school buses have a minimum tensile strength equal to 60 percent of the tensile strength of the weakest joined body panel. Therefore, NHTSA believes that failure to meet the performance requirements of the standard is directly consequential to the safety of our school children. With respect to the number of vehicles that are noncompliant, Corbeil states that it believes only 61 of the 295 school buses of the model tested by the agency are noncompliant. However, 49 U.S.C. 30112 prohibits the manufacturing, selling and importing of any noncompliant vehicles. The FMVSSs are designed to afford equal protection to all who use these vehicles, and therefore the number of noncompliant vehicles is not relevant to the effect on safety. Corbeil also states that it suspects that its proposed remedy could compromise the integrity of the roof joints due to the heating required to remove the sealant. If Corbeil’s proposed repair remedy would actually further weaken the school bus body joints, and therefore result in the vehicles still not meeting the requirements of FMVSS No. 221, it would not be an acceptable remedy under the statute. 49 U.S.C. 30120(a) requires that a manufacturer remedy a noncompliance by either repairing, replacing or repurchasing the noncompliant vehicle. However, we think that Corbeil’s concerns about the one repair method it suggests are misplaced. The agency is aware of several cases where school bus manufacturers have brought similar noncompliant vehicles with inadequate body joint strength into compliance with FMVSS No. 221 by the addition of mechanical fasteners. In these cases, the additional fasteners brought the vehicles into compliance without reliance upon any other fastening method, such as adhesive. Corbeil is responsible for determining an appropriate remedy for the noncompliance. However, as discussed, other options may be available that remedy the noncompliance without compromising the integrity of the structure. In any event, Corbeil’s proposed remedy is not relevant to determining whether or not the noncompliance is consequential to safety. In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA has decided that the petitioner has not met its burden of persuasion E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 21 / Wednesday, February 1, 2006 / Notices that the noncompliance described is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Accordingly, Corbeil’s petition is hereby denied. Authority: (49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120; delegations of authority at CFR 1.50 and 501.8.) Issued on: January 27, 2006. Daniel C. Smith, Associate Administrator for Enforcement. [FR Doc. E6–1373 Filed 1–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2005–22971; Notice 2] cchase on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES Weekend Warrior Trailers, Inc., Denial of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance Weekend Warrior Trailers, Inc. (Weekend Warrior) has determined that certain ramp-equipped travel trailers that it produced in 2001 through 2005 do not comply with 49 CFR 571.108, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, ‘‘Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.’’ Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h), Weekend Warrior has petitioned for a determination that this noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety and has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, ‘‘Defect and Noncompliance Reports.’’ Notice of receipt of the petition was published, with a 30 day comment period, on November 23, 2005 in the Federal Register (70 FR 70915). NHTSA received one comment. Affected are a total of approximately 13,447 ramp-equipped travel trailers produced between January 2001 and September 2005. FMVSS No. 108 requires that these vehicles be equipped with amber intermediate side marker lamps and reflex reflectors, and red identification lamps. However, the subject vehicles are not equipped with these devices. Weekend Warrior believes that the noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety and that no corrective action is warranted. Weekend Warrior states that the noncompliance has caused no safety related accidents or injuries, and that it has received no customer complaints or notification of injuries or deaths related to the absence of the required items. NHTSA has reviewed the petition and has determined that the noncompliance is not inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:49 Jan 31, 2006 Jkt 208001 Weekend Warrior did not equip the subject trailers with identification lamps, intermediate side reflex reflectors, or intermediate side marker lamps, all of which have been required on large trailers since January 1, 1969. The ability of motorists to distinguish large trucks and trailers from passenger vehicles is an essential component of crash avoidance because of size, maneuvering, and speed differences between the two types of vehicles. High mounted identification lamps uniquely identify large vehicles and do so with the longest possible sight preview of the lamps. Intermediate side marker lamps and reflex reflectors provide additional marking to notify oncoming drivers of the presence of a long vehicle and one across the roadway. The agency received one comment from FMVSS Consulting, which supported denial of this petition, based on the safety need for enhanced lighting and conspicuity materials which, the commenter states, are needed because ‘‘[t]railers need abundant conspicuity at night to meet the need for safety.’’ NHTSA agrees. A review of NHTSA’s research report ‘‘An Analysis of Fatal Large Truck Crashes’’ (DOT HS 809 569) indicates that 7,026 passenger vehicle drivers died as a result of crashes with combination trucks (i.e., trucks pulling trailers) from 1996 through 1999. Of those, 11 percent were rear end collisions with the passenger vehicle striking the combination truck, 13 percent were sideswipes where the passenger vehicle encroached, and 5 percent were related to trucks turning across the path of the passenger vehicle. NHTSA believes that commercial vehicle conspicuity may have been a factor in many of these crashes. Therefore, NHTSA concludes that the manufacturer’s installation of these components, as required by FMVSS No. 108, is critical for motor vehicle safety. Weekend Warrior notes that it has not received any complaints or reports of injury as a result of the missing equipment. The agency does not consider the company’s having not received such complaints or reports to be compelling evidence of the inconsequentiality of this noncompliance to safety. In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA has decided that the petitioner has not met its burden of persuasion that the noncompliance described is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Accordingly, Weekend Warrior’s petition is hereby denied. Authority: (49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120; delegations of authority at CFR 1.50 and 501.8.) PO 00000 Frm 00178 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5409 Issued on: Janaury 27, 2006. Daniel C. Smith, Associate Administrator for Enforcement. [FR Doc. E6–1372 Filed 1–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board Release of Waybill Data The Surface Transportation Board has received a request from Thompson Hine and McCarthy, Sweeney & Harkaway on behalf of the State of North Dakota (WB456–1—1/25/2006) for access to certain data from the Board’s 2000–2004 Carload Waybill Samples. A copy of the request may be obtained from the Office of Economics, Environmental Analysis, and Administration. The waybill sample contains confidential railroad and shipper data; therefore, if any parties object to these requests, they should file their objections with the Director of the Board’s Office of Economics, Environmental Analysis, and Administration within 14 calendar days of the date of this notice. The rules for release of waybill data are codified at 49 CFR 1244.9. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mac Frampton, (202) 565–1541. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. E6–1329 Filed 1–31–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request December 26, 2005. The Department of Treasury has submitted the following public information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling the Treasury Bureau Clearance Officer listed. Comments regarding this information collection should be addressed to the OMB reviewer listed and to the Treasury Department Clearance Officer, Department of the Treasury, Room 11000, 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before March 3, 2006 to be assured of consideration. E:\FR\FM\01FEN1.SGM 01FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5408-5409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1373]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2005-22970; Notice 2]


Les Entreprises Michel Corbeil Inc., Denial of Petition for 
Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

    Les Entreprises Michel Corbeil Inc. (Corbeil) has determined that 
certain school buses that it produced in 2004 do not comply with S5.1 
of 49 CFR 571.221, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 
221, ``School bus body joint strength.'' Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) 
and 30120(h), Corbeil has petitioned for a determination that this 
noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety and has filed 
an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, ``Defect and 
Noncompliance Reports.'' Notice of receipt of the petition was 
published, with a 30 day comment period, on November 23, 2005 in the 
Federal Register (70 FR 70914). NHTSA received no comments.
    Affected are a total of approximately 295 school buses produced 
between May 3, 2004 and June 4, 2004. S5.1 of FMVSS No. 221 requires 
that:

    * * * each body panel joint * * * when tested in accordance with 
the procedure of S6, shall hold the body panel to the member to 
which it is joined when subjected to a force of 60 percent of the 
tensile strength of the weakest joined body panel determined 
pursuant to S6.2.

    The longitudinal roof joint on some of the subject school buses 
fails when tested according to the requirements of S5.1.
    Corbeil believes that the noncompliance is inconsequential to motor 
vehicle safety and that no corrective action is warranted. Corbeil 
states that during the period of production of the subject school 
buses, ``the production used expired glue.'' Corbeil estimates that 61 
of the 295 buses could be affected, based on the number of expired glue 
cartridges that were used.
    Corbeil further states:

    * * * repairs could affect the structural integrity of these 
buses' roofs. If we proceed with repairs, we must remove the actual 
MS polymer strips on the roof to reach the joints. This operation 
requires us to preheat (300-600 [deg]F) the MS polymer strip (will 
soften the MS polymer) but at the same time will cause a significant 
urethane chemical modification and will affect the actual joint 
strength. The roof joint is composed of urethane glue and this glue 
will be affected if the temperature is higher than 194 [deg]F * * *. 
If our educated estimate is that only 61 buses on (sic) the 295 
buses involved in this recall are affected, however they cannot be 
individually identified. Also, during the test, the transverse joint 
succeeded at 116% of the requirement and the longitudinal joint 
failed only by 9% with 91% of the requirement. The objective of this 
recall is to increase the strength of the joint. We presently 
suspect that a retrofit could affect/damage the roof rather to (sic) 
reinforce the joint.

    Corbeil states that no accidents or injuries have occurred as a 
result of this noncompliance.
    NHTSA has reviewed the petition and has determined that the 
noncompliance is not inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.
    With respect to the margin of noncompliance, Corbeil argues that 
the failing school bus joint reached 91 percent of the load required by 
the standard. In the petitioner's opinion, not meeting the requirement 
by 9 percent of the required load is inconsequential to motor vehicle 
safety. The agency disagrees. A significant injury-producing 
characteristic of school bus crashes is exposure to sharp metal edges 
that occurs when body panels become separated from the structural 
components to which they have been fastened. In a crash, severe 
lacerations may result if the occupants of the bus are tossed against 
these edges. Moreover, if panel separation is extensive, the occupant 
may be ejected from the vehicle, significantly increasing the 
possibility of serious injury. This standard is intended to reduce the 
likelihood of this type of injury by requiring that body joints on 
school buses have a minimum tensile strength equal to 60 percent of the 
tensile strength of the weakest joined body panel. Therefore, NHTSA 
believes that failure to meet the performance requirements of the 
standard is directly consequential to the safety of our school 
children.
    With respect to the number of vehicles that are noncompliant, 
Corbeil states that it believes only 61 of the 295 school buses of the 
model tested by the agency are noncompliant. However, 49 U.S.C. 30112 
prohibits the manufacturing, selling and importing of any noncompliant 
vehicles. The FMVSSs are designed to afford equal protection to all who 
use these vehicles, and therefore the number of noncompliant vehicles 
is not relevant to the effect on safety.
    Corbeil also states that it suspects that its proposed remedy could 
compromise the integrity of the roof joints due to the heating required 
to remove the sealant. If Corbeil's proposed repair remedy would 
actually further weaken the school bus body joints, and therefore 
result in the vehicles still not meeting the requirements of FMVSS No. 
221, it would not be an acceptable remedy under the statute. 49 U.S.C. 
30120(a) requires that a manufacturer remedy a noncompliance by either 
repairing, replacing or repurchasing the noncompliant vehicle.
    However, we think that Corbeil's concerns about the one repair 
method it suggests are misplaced. The agency is aware of several cases 
where school bus manufacturers have brought similar noncompliant 
vehicles with inadequate body joint strength into compliance with FMVSS 
No. 221 by the addition of mechanical fasteners. In these cases, the 
additional fasteners brought the vehicles into compliance without 
reliance upon any other fastening method, such as adhesive. Corbeil is 
responsible for determining an appropriate remedy for the 
noncompliance. However, as discussed, other options may be available 
that remedy the noncompliance without compromising the integrity of the 
structure. In any event, Corbeil's proposed remedy is not relevant to 
determining whether or not the noncompliance is consequential to 
safety.
    In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA has decided that the 
petitioner has not met its burden of persuasion

[[Page 5409]]

that the noncompliance described is inconsequential to motor vehicle 
safety. Accordingly, Corbeil's petition is hereby denied.

    Authority:  (49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120; delegations of authority at 
CFR 1.50 and 501.8.)

    Issued on: January 27, 2006.
Daniel C. Smith,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement.
[FR Doc. E6-1373 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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