Hazardous Materials Shipping Papers
What the paper must contain
The shipping paper is the core document of a hazardous materials shipment. For a hazardous material it must show, at minimum, the proper shipping name, the hazard class or division, the identification number (preceded by "UN" or "NA"), and the packing group when one is assigned. The basic description must appear in that sequence. The paper also carries the total quantity, the number and type of packages, the shipper's certification, and an emergency response telephone number that is monitored at all times while the material is in transportation.
Emergency response information
Emergency response information must accompany the shipping paper and be immediately available to the driver. It may be a guidebook page, a emergency response guide, or a written plan, but it must be able to be used away from the vehicle cab, such as at the scene of an incident.
Traps to watch
Questions often test the order of the basic description, the requirement that the identification number be shown with its prefix, and the rule that the emergency response phone number must be monitored, not just printed. Another common trap is the driver who wants to correct or alter a shipping paper; drivers may not change the shipper's hazardous material description. A third trap is placement: the paper must be within reach of the driver while seated and must be kept in a holder or clearly identified location.
Worked example
A paper reads "Gasoline, 3, UN1203, PG II." The sequence is proper shipping name, class, identification number, packing group, and it is correct. If it read "UN1203 Gasoline 3 PG II," the identification number is out of position and the paper is not in the required basic description order.
Rule of thumb
Read the basic description left to right: name, class, UN number, packing group. If any element is missing or out of order, treat it as a defect.