Hazardous Materials Training

Overview
Hazardous materials are products that pose a risk to health, safety, and property during transportation. The term often is shortened to HAZMAT, which you may see on road signs, or to HM in government regulations. Hazardous materials include explosives, various types of gas, solids, flammable and combustible liquid, and other materials. Because of the risks involved and the potential consequences these risks impose, all levels of government regulate the handling of hazardous materials.
The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) is found in parts 171 - 180 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The common reference for these regulations is 49 CFR 171 - 180
The Hazardous Materials Table in the regulations contains a list of these items. However, this list is not all-inclusive. Whether or not a material is considered hazardous is based on its characteristics and the shipper's decision on whether or not the material meets a definition of a hazardous material in the regulations.
The regulations require vehicles transporting certain types or quantities of hazardous materials to display diamond-shaped, square on point, warning signs called placards.
You must have a commercial driver license (CDL) with a hazardous materials endorsement before you drive any size vehicle that is used to transport hazardous material as defined in 49 CFR 383.5. You must pass a written test about the regulations and requirements to get this endorsement.
The Intent of the Regulations
Contain the Material
Transporting hazardous materials can be risky. The regulations are intended to protect you, those around you, and the environment. They tell shippers how to package the materials safely and drivers how to load, transport, and unload the material. These are called "containment rules."
Communicate the Risk
To communicate the risk, shippers must warn drivers and others about the material's hazards. The regulations require shippers to put hazard warning labels on packages, provide proper shipping papers, emergency response information, and placards. These steps communicate the hazard to the shipper, the carrier, and the driver.
Assure Safe Drivers and Equipment
In order to get a hazardous materials endorsement on a CDL, you must pass a written test about transporting hazardous materials. To pass the test, you must know how to: Identify what are hazardous materials. Safely load shipments. Properly placard your vehicle in accordance with the rules. Safely transport shipments. Learn the rules and follow them. Following the rules reduces the risk of injury from hazardous materials. Taking shortcuts by breaking rules is unsafe. Noncompliance with regulations can result in fines and jail. Inspect your vehicle before and during each trip. Law enforcement officers may stop and inspect your vehicle. When stopped, they may check your shipping papers, vehicle placards, and the hazardous materials endorsement on your driver license, and your knowledge of hazardous materials.
Definitions
Some words and phrases have special meanings when talking about hazardous materials. Some of these may differ from meanings you are used to. The words and phrases in this section may be on your test. A material's hazard class reflects the risks associated with it. There are nine different hazard classes. The types of materials included in these nine classes are in the figure below.
A shipping paper describes the hazardous materials being transported. Shipping orders, bills of lading, and manifests are all shipping papers.
After an accident or hazardous materials spill or leak, you may be injured and unable to communicate the hazards of the materials you are transporting. Firefighters and police can prevent or reduce the amount of damage or injury at the scene if they know what hazardous materials are being carried. Your life, and the lives of others, may depend on quickly locating the hazardous materials shipping papers. For that reason, the rules require:
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Shippers to describe hazardous materials correctly and include an emergency response telephone number on shipping papers.
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Carriers and drivers to quickly identify hazardous materials shipping papers or keep them on top of other shipping papers and keep the required emergency response information with the shipping papers.
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Drivers to keep hazardous materials shipping papers:
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In a pouch on the driver's door, or
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In clear view within immediate reach while the seat belt is fastened while driving, or
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On the driver's seat when out of the vehicle.
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Shipper's Certification
When the shipper packages hazardous materials, he/she certifies that the package has been prepared according to the rules. The signed shipper's certification appears on the original shipping paper.
The Shipping Paper
A shipping paper for hazardous materials must include:
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Page numbers if the shipping paper has more than one page. The first page must tell the total number of pages. For example, "Page 1 of 4".
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A proper shipping description for each hazardous material.
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A shipper's certification, signed by the shipper, saying they prepared the shipment according to the regulations.
Attach the appropriate placards to the vehicle before you drive it. You are only allowed to move an improperly placarded vehicle during an emergency, in order to protect life or property.
Placards must appear on both sides and both ends of the vehicle. Each placard must be: Easily seen from the direction it faces. Placed so the words or numbers are level and read from left to right.
At least three inches away from any other markings. Kept clear of attachments or devices such as ladders, doors, and tarpaulins. Kept clean and undamaged so that the color, format, and message are easily seen. Be affixed to a background of contrasting color. The front placard may be on the front of the tractor or the front of the trailer.
To decide which placards to use, you need to know:
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The hazard class of the materials.
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The amount of hazardous materials shipped.
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The total weight of all classes of hazardous materials in your vehicle.
Placard Tables
Loading and Unloading
Do all you can to protect containers of hazardous materials. Don't use any tools, which might damage containers or other packaging during loading. Don't use hooks.
General Loading Requirements
Before loading or unloading, set the parking brake. Make sure the vehicle will not move. Many products become more hazardous when exposed to heat. Load hazardous materials away from heat sources. Watch for signs of leaking or damaged containers: LEAKS SPELL TROUBLE! Do not transport leaking packages. Depending on the material, you, your truck, and others could be in danger. It is illegal to move a vehicle with leaking hazardous materials. Containers of hazardous materials must be braced to prevent movement of the packages during transportation.
No Smoking when loading or unloading hazardous materials, keep fire away. Don't let people smoke nearby.
Never smoke around:
Class 1 (Explosives)
Class 2.1 (Flammable Gas)
Class 3 (Flammable Liquids)
Class 4 (Flammable Solids)
Class 5 (Oxidizers)
Secure Against Movement
Brace containers so they will not fall, slide, or bounce around during transportation. Be very careful when loading containers that have valves or other fittings. All hazardous materials packages must be secured during transportation.
Parking a Placarded Vehicle Not Transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3) Explosives
You may park a placarded vehicle (not laden with explosives) within five feet of the traveled part of the road only if your work requires it. Do so only briefly. Someone must always watch the vehicle when parked on a public roadway or shoulder. Do not uncouple a trailer and leave it with hazardous materials on a public street. Do not park within 300 feet of an open fire.
Attending Parked Vehicles
The person attending a placarded vehicle must:
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Be in the vehicle, awake, and not in the sleeper berth, or within 100 feet of the vehicle and have it within clear view.
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Be aware of the hazards of the materials being transported.
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Know what to do in emergencies. Be able to move the vehicle, if needed.
Where to Keep Shipping Papers and Emergency Response Information
Do not accept a hazardous materials shipment without a properly prepared shipping paper. A shipping paper for hazardous materials must always be easily recognized. Other people must be able to find it quickly after a crash.
Clearly distinguish hazardous materials shipping papers from others by tabbing them or keeping them on top of the stack of papers.
When you are behind the wheel, keep shipping papers within your reach (with your seat belt on), or in a pouch on the driver's door. They must be easily seen by someone entering the cab.
When not behind the wheel, leave shipping papers in the driver's door pouch or on the driver's seat. Emergency response information must be kept in the same location as the shipping paper.
Papers for Division 1.1, 1.2 or, 1.3 Explosives. A carrier must give each driver transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives a copy of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), Part 397.
The carrier must also give written instructions on what to do if delayed or in an accident. The written instructions must include: The names and telephone numbers of people to contact (including carrier agents or shippers). The nature of the explosives transported. The precautions to take in emergencies such as fires, accidents, or leaks. Drivers must sign a receipt for these documents.
You must be familiar with, and have in your possession while driving, the:
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Shipping papers.
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Written emergency instructions.
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Written route plan.
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A copy of FMCSR, Part 397.
Communication Rules
Placarding
Emergencies
