CDL HazMat Endorsement cheat sheet

49 CFR Parts 100-185 govern hazmat; Part 172 covers communication (shipping papers, marking, labeling, placarding), Part 173 covers packaging and shippers, Part 177 covers highway carriage.

A material is hazmat if it meets any hazard class definition in Part 173 Subpart D, is listed by name in the HazMat Table (172.101), or is a hazardous substance/waste/marine pollutant meeting reportable quantities.

HazMat Table Column 1 symbols: '+' means the proper shipping name is fixed and may not be changed; 'A' means the entry applies only to domestic (US) transportation; 'D' means the entry applies only to domestic transport within the US; 'G' means a technical name is required in parentheses; 'I' means the entry is for international transport.

Column 2 lists the proper shipping name; Column 3 hazard class or division; Column 4 subsidiary hazard(s) in parentheses; Column 5 packing group (I, II, III) where assigned; Column 6 label codes; Column 7 special provisions; Column 8 packaging exceptions; Column 9 non-bulk packaging; Column 10 bulk packaging.

Hazard classes: 1 explosives, 2 gases (2.1 flammable, 2.2 nonflammable, 2.3 toxic), 3 flammable/combustible liquids, 4 (4.1 flammable solid, 4.2 spontaneously combustible, 4.3 dangerous when wet), 5 (5.1 oxidizer, 5.2 organic peroxide), 6 (6.1 toxic, 6.2 infectious), 7 radioactive, 8 corrosive, 9 miscellaneous.

Packing groups reflect degree of danger: PG I great danger, PG II moderate danger, PG III minor danger. Not every material has an assigned PG.

A material that is not listed by name must be shipped under a generic 'n.o.s.' (not otherwise specified) entry that matches its hazard class and PG, with the technical name of the hazardous component shown in parentheses on the shipping paper and package.

A hazardous substance is a material listed in Appendix A to 172.101 that is in a mixture or solution at or above the RQ concentration and shipped in a quantity per package at or above the RQ; the letters 'RQ' must appear on the shipping paper.

Shipping paper basic description order: proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN/NA identification number, and packing group (e.g., 'Gasoline, 3, UN1203, PG II'). The UN number may precede the name only if immediately followed by the name.

The basic description must be printed so it is legible and in a contrasting color; entries must be in ink or a durable print, and the total quantity of hazmat must be shown with units of measurement (e.g., '120 gal').

Emergency response telephone number must appear on the shipping paper, must be monitored at all times the material is in transportation, and must be reachable by a toll or collect call.

Shipping paper retention: the carrier keeps hazmat shipping papers for 90 days after delivery, except for hazardous waste (3 years) and certain other materials; papers must be readily visible to a person entering the cab and within arm's reach while the driver is at the wheel.

Non-bulk packages must be marked with the proper shipping name and UN/NA number unless excepted; bulk packages must show the ID number on both sides and each end.

Labels are 4 in x 4 in (100 mm), applied on the package surface near the proper shipping name, and each package must show the primary hazard label plus any subsidiary labels required by Column 6 of the HazMat Table.

Placarding: Table 1 materials require placards for any quantity; Table 2 materials require placards only when the aggregate gross weight in one vehicle is 1,001 lb (454 kg) or more; a placard is 250 mm (9.84 in) on each side, diamond shaped.

DANGER placard: instead of separate placards, a vehicle carrying two or more Table 2 categories in placardable quantities may display DANGER placards, but DANGER is not permitted for Table 1 materials, Class 1, Class 7, or when division 6.1 PG I is present.

Placards must be affixed to all four sides of the vehicle (front, rear, both sides), except the front may be omitted for a truck-tractor carrying a trailer; placards are removed or obscured when the vehicle no longer contains the material.

Loading rules: do not load hazmat in the same space with food, feed, or anything intended for human or animal consumption unless the hazmat is separated and packaged to prevent contamination; cyanides and acids must never be loaded together.

Class 1 explosives are segregated by compatibility group; do not load detonators (1.1B, 1.2B, 1.4B, 1.4S) with other explosives unless the table in 177.848(d) permits it, and never load Division 1.1 or 1.2 with Division 1.5.

Segregation table in 177.848(d): an 'X' means the two hazard classes may not be loaded together in the same vehicle or container; consult the table for each combination, e.g., Class 4.2 with Class 5.1 is prohibited.

Cargo securement: the aggregate working load limit of tiedowns must be at least 50% of the total weight of the articles, and the front-most tiedown must be within 4 ft of the front of the load, with the rear tiedown within 4 ft of the rear.

Each tiedown must be attached and secured so it cannot become loose, and the load must not shift so as to affect the vehicle's stability or change the vehicle's center of gravity beyond safe limits.

Packages must be loaded so that valves, closures, and filling openings of liquid containers are up; drums with liquid must be loaded with the bung opening up and the drum upright or on its side with the bung up.

Secure heavy or dense items low and against the vehicle structure; do not load packages so that they could fall from the vehicle, and do not stack packages in a way that reduces the strength of the packaging.

Do not smoke or carry a lighted cigarette around Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, or Division 2.1 materials; the engine must be shut off during loading and unloading of these materials unless the vehicle's equipment requires the engine to run.

Before unloading, check that the material matches the shipping paper; report any damaged, leaking, or unlabeled package and do not accept it unless it can be safely handled.

Parking: a vehicle carrying hazardous materials must not be parked within 5 feet of the traveled portion of a public street or highway, and must be attended at all times; if unattended, the vehicle must be locked and the parking brake set.

Attendance is not required if the vehicle is parked on the property of a shipper, consignee, or an approved secure facility, or if the driver is within 100 feet of the vehicle and it is in view.

Prohibited parking: never park within 300 feet of an open fire, and do not park near a bridge, tunnel, or occupied building for longer than necessary; follow local restrictions for tunnels and bridges.

Smoking and open flames are prohibited within 25 feet of a vehicle containing Class 3, 4, 5, or Division 2.1 materials; the engine must be shut off during fueling and the vehicle must be attended.

Railroad crossing: hazmat vehicles must stop at all railroad crossings before crossing, unless the crossing is exempt or the vehicle is a passenger-carrying bus; stop, look, and listen, and open the window if needed.

Emergency response: use the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) - identify the material by UN number, read the guide page, and follow the isolation distances; call CHEMTREC or the emergency response number on the shipping paper.

Spills and leaks: stop, secure the area, keep people away, do not touch or walk through the material, and notify emergency responders; do not attempt cleanup unless trained and equipped.

Security awareness: know the materials you carry, keep the vehicle locked, verify the identity of anyone boarding, report suspicious behavior or tampering, and use the DOT security plan if your company is required to have one.

A security plan is required for carriers of certain quantities of hazardous materials (e.g., Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 2.1 in bulk, or Class 7 in certain quantities); it must address personnel, unauthorized access, and en route security.