Loading and Unloading Tank Vehicles, Including Hazmat Considerations
Before the transfer
Match the product to the paperwork and the tank: check the shipping papers, the tank's specification and its placards, confirm the interior is clean and compatible with the new product, and confirm there is enough outage for the volume. Park on level ground, set the parking brake, chock the wheels, shut off the engine unless it is needed to run the pump, and follow all no-smoking and no-flame rules. Locate the emergency shutoff before you open anything.
Ground, bond, then open
Ground the vehicle to earth, then bond the vehicle to the storage tank so both sit at the same potential. Connect grounding and bonding first and disconnect them last. Open valves slowly, watch for leaks, and stay with the transfer - never leave it unattended.
Before you move
Disconnect and cap hoses, close and latch every dome cover, close every valve that should be closed, verify the placards match the load, and walk around the tank once more.
Hazmat notes: a placarded load requires the H endorsement (X on the license), shipping papers within reach, emergency response information, and immediate reporting of any spill or leak. Never unload into a container that lacks room for the product.
Trap to expect: bonding and grounding described in the wrong order or as the same thing; 'leave the engine running for the pump' applied where the site forbids it; skipping the post-loading walk-around.
Rule of thumb: 'Ground the truck, bond the tank, then break the seal' - and reverse that order when you finish.