Georgia CDL Hazmat cheat sheet

Hazmat means a material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce; the DOT hazard classes are 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable/combustible liquids, 4 flammable solids and spontaneously combustible or dangerous-when-wet materials, 5 oxidizers and organic peroxides, 6 toxic and infectious substances, 7 radioactive, 8 corrosives, and 9 miscellaneous.

A hazardous material is defined by hazard class and division plus packing group: PG I is great danger, PG II is medium danger, and PG III is minor danger; not every class uses packing groups (Class 2, 7, and most Class 9 entries do not).

Division 1.1-1.6 distinguish mass-explosion, projection, fire, minor explosion, and very insensitive explosive hazards; compatibility groups A through S govern what may be loaded together.

Division 2.1 flammable gas, 2.2 non-flammable non-toxic gas, and 2.3 toxic gas are assigned by the gas's properties; a material with a hazard class takes that class as its primary hazard, and other hazards become subsidiary.

Class 3 covers liquids with a flash point of not more than 60 degrees C (140 degrees F), or any liquid flammable at or below 37.8 degrees C (100 degrees F) when tested; combustible liquids are those with a flash point above 60 degrees C and at or below 93 degrees C.

Class 8 corrosive materials cause full-thickness destruction of skin at a contact site or corrode steel or aluminum at a rate exceeding 6.25 mm (0.25 inch) per year at 55 degrees C.

Class 6 Division 6.1 toxic materials are assigned packing groups by oral, dermal, or inhalation toxicity criteria; Division 6.2 covers infectious substances, including Category A and Category B.

The Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) is the primary reference: each entry lists the proper shipping name, hazard class or division, identification number, packing group, label codes, special provisions, packaging exceptions, and quantity limits.

A shipper must use the proper shipping name from the Hazardous Materials Table, may use a technical name in parentheses where the entry requires one, and may not use a trade name alone as the shipping description.

Basic shipping paper description order: proper shipping name, hazard class or division (with compatibility group for Class 1), UN or NA identification number, and packing group - for example, "Gasoline, 3, UN1203, PG II."

Total quantity must be entered on the shipping paper for hazardous materials, and the number and type of packages must be shown; the basic description must be printed in a distinctive way (highlighted, contrasting color, or in a separate block).

Emergency response telephone number must appear on the shipping paper, be monitored at all times the material is in transportation, and reach a person who knows the material and can give response information.

A shipper's certification statement must appear on the shipping paper ("This is to certify that the above-named materials are properly classified, described, packaged, marked and labeled, and are in proper condition for transportation...").

Shipping papers must be within reach of the driver while driving (in a holder or on the seat) and kept in a pouch on the driver's door or in clear view when the driver leaves the vehicle; they must be readily accessible to emergency responders.

Non-bulk packages require the proper shipping name and identification number, plus the hazard warning label(s) for each hazard; orientation arrows are required on combination packages containing liquids.

Labels are 4 by 4 inches (100 by 100 mm) with a specific color and hazard class number at the bottom; labels must be on the same surface as the proper shipping name and must not be obscured.

Placards are 10.75 by 10.75 inches (273 mm) and are required for quantities of 1,001 pounds or more aggregate gross weight of a hazard class in one vehicle, and for any quantity of Table 2 materials, certain Class 1/2.3/6.1 materials, and bulk packages.

The DANGEROUS placard may be used instead of specific placards only when the load requires two or more placard categories and totals less than 1,001 pounds aggregate gross weight, and the quantity of Table 2 material is less than 1,001 pounds.

Cyanides and acids must not be loaded together, nor cyanide or acid placed where leakage could contact the other; the same separation applies to other incompatible pairs such as oxidizers with flammables.

Division 6.1 Packing Group I toxic liquids (poison-inhalation-hazard Zone A) require exclusive use of the vehicle and may not be loaded with other freight.

Division 1.1 and 1.2 explosives generally must not be loaded in the same vehicle with Division 1.3, 1.4, or 1.5 materials except as allowed by compatibility group and 49 CFR 177.835; Division 1.5 detonators must be separated from other explosives.

Class 8 liquids and Class 4.3 dangerous-when-wet materials must be loaded so leakage cannot reach other freight; freight must be secured to prevent shifting, and packages must be braced against movement.

No smoking, open flame, or other ignition source is permitted on or near a vehicle carrying Class 3, Class 2.1, or other flammable materials; engines must be shut off during loading and unloading of flammable liquids unless the pump is driven by the engine.

Cargo heaters must be shut off and not used when carrying Division 2.1 flammable gases, Division 2.3 toxic gases, or Division 6.1 toxic materials, and the heater must be drained of fuel or the fuel line closed.

Before loading, check that packages are not damaged, are properly marked and labeled, and are not leaking; a leaking package must not be loaded and the shipper must be notified.

When unloading, set the parking brake, chock the wheels if needed, and keep the shipping papers accessible; do not drop or drag packages, and use a rolling or mechanical aid for heavy containers.

Segregation tables in 49 CFR 177.848 use an X to show pairs that may not be loaded together; the table applies to the hazard classes listed and overrides general loading convenience.

Initial response order: stop, isolate the area, identify the material from shipping papers or placards, and call for help before attempting any action; do not enter a hazardous area without proper training and PPE.

For a fire involving hazardous materials, the first consideration is whether the material can be safely fought; if not, evacuate and let it burn. Use the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) guide number to determine the initial isolation distance and protective action.

The ERG's initial isolation and protective action distances are based on small or large spills and day or night conditions; the green-bordered pages give the table, and the orange guide pages give the guide number.

Water must not be used on materials that react with water (Class 4.3 dangerous when wet, some Class 8 acids, and some reactive metals); water on a gasoline or other Class 3 fire can spread the burning liquid.

For a leaking cylinder of flammable or toxic gas, approach from upwind and uphill, eliminate ignition sources, and do not attempt to move a damaged cylinder unless trained and equipped.

If the vehicle is involved in a fire, stop the engine, set the parking brake, and move away from the vehicle; a cargo tank fire or a fire reaching a compressed gas cylinder requires evacuation to a safe distance.

If a package is leaking, do not handle it with bare hands; use the shipping paper and label to identify the hazard and follow the ERG guide, and notify the shipper, consignee, and emergency responders.

A driver who is not trained in hazmat emergency response should limit action to notification and isolation; the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper is the first call for response information.

After any spill or contamination, decontaminate the vehicle and equipment before reloading, and report the incident as required by 49 CFR 171.16 if it meets a reporting threshold.

A written incident report on DOT Form 5800.1 is required when a hazmat incident involves death, injury requiring hospitalization, property damage of $50,000 or more, evacuation or closure of a road or facility, a release of a hazardous material, or a fire, breakage, or spill of certain materials.

The report must be filed with PHMSA within 30 days of the incident; a telephone report to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802) is required within 12 hours for incidents involving death, injury, evacuation, or certain release quantities.

A release of a hazardous material in transportation must be reported when it meets the reportable quantity for that material, when it is a bulk package, or when it involves a fire, breakage, or spill of a hazardous material.

Security awareness: a hazmat driver must be alert to suspicious persons, questions about the cargo, tampering with the vehicle, unattended packages, and unusual behavior at loading or unloading sites, and must report them to the employer or authorities.

Do not discuss the nature of the hazmat cargo, route, or delivery schedule with strangers; verify the identity of anyone requesting information or access to the vehicle, and keep the vehicle locked when unattended.

A security plan is required for shippers and carriers of certain high-consequence hazardous materials (such as Division 1.1 explosives, Division 2.3 gases, Division 6.1 PG I, and Division 4.3 PG I) and must address personnel, facility, and en-route security.

If the vehicle is hijacked or a suspicious package is found, do not confront anyone; note descriptions, license numbers, and direction of travel, and call 911 and the employer immediately.

Keep shipping papers and the emergency response phone number accessible so responders can identify the cargo, and never leave a placarded vehicle unlocked or unattended in an unsecured area.

Hazmat employees must be trained within 90 days of employment and recurrently every three years; training covers general awareness, function-specific, safety, and security awareness.

A bulk package has a capacity greater than 119 gallons for liquids, greater than 882 pounds for solids, or greater than 1,001 pounds water capacity for gases; a non-bulk package is at or below those limits.

A reportable quantity (RQ) is the amount of a hazardous material released that triggers notification; the RQ for each material appears in the Hazardous Materials Table and Appendix A to 49 CFR 172.101.

A hazardous waste manifest must accompany hazardous waste shipments, and the driver must ensure the manifest is signed and the waste is properly described and packaged.

The placard for a material with a subsidiary hazard may show only the primary hazard placard unless the material is a Table 2 material or the subsidiary hazard is required; the shipping paper must show both the primary and subsidiary hazard classes.

A material that is hazardous only in one mode of transportation may be excepted from some requirements; check the Hazardous Materials Table special provisions and the mode-specific rules in Parts 173, 174, 175, and 176.

The DOT identification number is a four-digit UN or NA number preceded by "UN" or "NA"; it must appear on the shipping paper and on the package or placard as required.

A carrier may not accept a shipment if the shipping paper is incomplete or the package is not properly marked, labeled, or placarded; the carrier must refuse or correct the shipment before transport.

The driver must keep the shipping papers in a location that is accessible from the driver's seat and must provide them to law enforcement or emergency responders on request.

The shipping description order is proper shipping name, hazard class, identification number, and packing group; the hazard class and identification number may be reversed if the shipping paper is consistent.

The total quantity and the number and type of packages must be shown on the shipping paper, and the basic description must be highlighted or in a contrasting color.

The emergency response telephone number must be on the shipping paper and must be monitored at all times the material is in transportation; it may not be a number that only reaches a recording.

Labels must be applied to the package surface that bears the proper shipping name, and the label must not be covered by tape, strapping, or other markings.

Placards must be displayed on both sides and both ends of the vehicle, and the placard must match the hazard class of the material; a placarded vehicle must be attended or secured.

The DANGEROUS placard may be used in place of specific placards only when the load requires two or more placard categories and the aggregate gross weight is less than 1,001 pounds.

Marking requirements include the proper shipping name and identification number on non-bulk packages, and orientation arrows on combination packages containing liquids.

A shipper's certification must be signed on the shipping paper, certifying that the materials are properly classified, described, packaged, marked, and labeled and in proper condition for transportation.

Shipping papers must be kept in a pouch on the driver's door or in clear view when the driver leaves the vehicle, and must be within reach while driving.

Cyanides and acids must not be loaded together; oxidizers must be separated from flammable materials; and Division 6.1 PG I toxic liquids require exclusive use of the vehicle.

Division 1.1 and 1.2 explosives must be separated from Division 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5 materials except as allowed by compatibility group, and detonators must be separated from other explosives.

Class 8 liquids and Class 4.3 dangerous-when-wet materials must be loaded so leakage cannot reach other freight, and packages must be secured against shifting.

No smoking or open flame is permitted on or near a vehicle carrying flammable materials, and engines must be shut off during loading and unloading of flammable liquids unless the pump is engine-driven.

Cargo heaters must be shut off when carrying Division 2.1, 2.3, or 6.1 materials, and the heater must be drained or the fuel line closed.

Packages must be inspected before loading; damaged, leaking, or improperly marked packages must not be loaded, and the shipper must be notified.

When unloading, set the parking brake, chock the wheels if needed, keep shipping papers accessible, and use mechanical aids for heavy containers.

The segregation table in 49 CFR 177.848 uses an X to show pairs that may not be loaded together and overrides general loading convenience.

A placarded vehicle must be attended or secured, and the driver must not leave a placarded vehicle unlocked or unattended in an unsecured area.

Initial response order: stop, isolate, identify, and call for help before attempting any action; do not enter a hazardous area without proper training and PPE.

For a fire involving hazardous materials, decide whether it can be safely fought; if not, evacuate and let it burn, and use the ERG guide number for isolation distances.

The ERG's initial isolation and protective action distances depend on small or large spills and day or night conditions; the green-bordered pages give the table.

Water must not be used on water-reactive materials (Class 4.3, some Class 8 acids, some reactive metals); water on a Class 3 fire can spread the burning liquid.

For a leaking gas cylinder, approach from upwind and uphill, eliminate ignition sources, and do not move a damaged cylinder unless trained and equipped.

If the vehicle is on fire, stop the engine, set the parking brake, and move away; a cargo tank fire or a fire reaching a compressed gas cylinder requires evacuation to a safe distance.

If a package is leaking, do not handle it with bare hands; use the shipping paper and label to identify the hazard and follow the ERG guide, and notify the shipper, consignee, and responders.

A driver not trained in hazmat emergency response should limit action to notification and isolation; the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper is the first call.

After a spill or contamination, decontaminate the vehicle and equipment before reloading, and report the incident as required by 49 CFR 171.16 if it meets a reporting threshold.

A written incident report on DOT Form 5800.1 is required for death, injury requiring hospitalization, property damage of $50,000 or more, evacuation or road closure, a release, or a fire, breakage, or spill of certain materials.

The written report must be filed with PHMSA within 30 days; a telephone report to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802) is required within 12 hours for death, injury, evacuation, or certain release quantities.

A release must be reported when it meets the reportable quantity for the material, when it is a bulk package, or when it involves a fire, breakage, or spill of a hazardous material.

Security awareness: be alert to suspicious persons, questions about the cargo, tampering, unattended packages, and unusual behavior at loading or unloading sites, and report them.

Do not discuss the cargo, route, or schedule with strangers; verify the identity of anyone requesting information or access, and keep the vehicle locked when unattended.

A security plan is required for certain high-consequence hazardous materials (such as Division 1.1, 2.3, 6.1 PG I, and 4.3 PG I) and must address personnel, facility, and en-route security.

If the vehicle is hijacked or a suspicious package is found, do not confront anyone; note descriptions, license numbers, and direction of travel, and call 911 and the employer immediately.

Keep shipping papers and the emergency response phone number accessible so responders can identify the cargo, and never leave a placarded vehicle unlocked or unattended in an unsecured area.

Hazmat employees must be trained within 90 days of employment and recurrently every three years; training covers general awareness, function-specific, safety, and security awareness.

A bulk package exceeds 119 gallons for liquids, 882 pounds for solids, or 1,001 pounds water capacity for gases; a non-bulk package is at or below those limits.

A reportable quantity (RQ) is the amount released that triggers notification; the RQ appears in the Hazardous Materials Table and Appendix A to 49 CFR 172.101.

A hazardous waste manifest must accompany hazardous waste shipments, and the driver must ensure the manifest is signed and the waste is properly described and packaged.

A material that is hazardous only in one mode may be excepted from some requirements; check the Hazardous Materials Table special provisions and the mode-specific rules.

The DOT identification number is a four-digit UN or NA number preceded by "UN" or "NA"; it must appear on the shipping paper and on the package or placard as required.

A carrier may not accept a shipment if the shipping paper is incomplete or the package is not properly marked, labeled, or placarded; the carrier must refuse or correct it before transport.

The driver must keep shipping papers accessible from the driver's seat and provide them to law enforcement or emergency responders on request.

The Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) is the primary reference for proper shipping name, class, identification number, packing group, label codes, and quantity limits.

Basic shipping paper description order: proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN or NA identification number, and packing group - for example, "Gasoline, 3, UN1203, PG II."

Total quantity must be on the shipping paper, and the number and type of packages must be shown; the basic description must be printed in a distinctive way.

The emergency response telephone number must be on the shipping paper, monitored at all times the material is in transportation, and reach a person who can give response information.

A shipper's certification statement must appear on the shipping paper, certifying proper classification, description, packaging, marking, labeling, and condition for transportation.

Shipping papers must be within reach of the driver while driving and kept in a pouch on the driver's door or in clear view when the driver leaves the vehicle.

Non-bulk packages require the proper shipping name and identification number plus the hazard warning label(s); orientation arrows are required on combination packages containing liquids.

Labels are 4 by 4 inches with a specific color and hazard class number at the bottom, must be on the same surface as the proper shipping name, and must not be obscured.

Placards are 10.75 by 10.75 inches and are required for 1,001 pounds or more aggregate gross weight of a hazard class, for any quantity of Table 2 materials, and for bulk packages.

The DANGEROUS placard may replace specific placards only when the load requires two or more placard categories and totals less than 1,001 pounds aggregate gross weight.

Cyanides and acids must not be loaded together, nor placed where leakage could contact the other; oxidizers must be separated from flammables.

Division 6.1 Packing Group I toxic liquids (poison-inhalation-hazard Zone A) require exclusive use of the vehicle and may not be loaded with other freight.

Division 1.1 and 1.2 explosives generally must not be loaded with Division 1.3, 1.4, or 1.5 materials except as allowed by compatibility group; detonators must be separated from other explosives.

Class 8 liquids and Class 4.3 dangerous-when-wet materials must be loaded so leakage cannot reach other freight, and packages must be braced against movement.

No smoking, open flame, or other ignition source is permitted on or near a vehicle carrying Class 3, Class 2.1, or other flammable materials; engines must be shut off during loading and unloading of flammable liquids unless the pump is engine-driven.

Cargo heaters must be shut off when carrying Division 2.1, 2.3, or 6.1 materials, and the heater must be drained of fuel or the fuel line closed.

Before loading, check that packages are not damaged, are properly marked and labeled, and are not leaking; a leaking package must not be loaded and the shipper must be notified.

When unloading, set the parking brake, chock the wheels if needed, and keep the shipping papers accessible; do not drop or drag packages.

The segregation table in 49 CFR 177.848 uses an X to show pairs that may not be loaded together; the table overrides general loading convenience.

Initial response order: stop, isolate the area, identify the material from shipping papers or placards, and call for help before attempting any action.

For a fire involving hazardous materials, the first consideration is whether the material can be safely fought; if not, evacuate and let it burn.

The ERG's initial isolation and protective action distances are based on small or large spills and day or night conditions; the green-bordered pages give the table, and the orange guide pages give the guide number.

Water must not be used on materials that react with water (Class 4.3, some Class 8 acids, some reactive metals); water on a Class 3 fire can spread the burning liquid.

For a leaking cylinder of flammable or toxic gas, approach from upwind and uphill, eliminate ignition sources, and do not attempt to move a damaged cylinder unless trained and equipped.

If the vehicle is involved in a fire, stop the engine, set the parking brake, and move away from the vehicle; a cargo tank fire or a fire reaching a compressed gas cylinder requires evacuation.

If a package is leaking, do not handle it with bare hands; use the shipping paper and label to identify the hazard and follow the ERG guide, and notify the shipper, consignee, and responders.

A driver who is not trained in hazmat emergency response should limit action to notification and isolation; the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper is the first call.

After any spill or contamination, decontaminate the vehicle and equipment before reloading, and report the incident as required by 49 CFR 171.16 if it meets a reporting threshold.

A written incident report on DOT Form 5800.1 is required when a hazmat incident involves death, injury requiring hospitalization, property damage of $50,000 or more, evacuation or closure of a road or facility, a release, or a fire, breakage, or spill of certain materials.

The report must be filed with PHMSA within 30 days of the incident; a telephone report to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802) is required within 12 hours for incidents involving death, injury, evacuation, or certain release quantities.

A release of a hazardous material in transportation must be reported when it meets the reportable quantity for that material, when it is a bulk package, or when it involves a fire, breakage, or spill.

Security awareness: a hazmat driver must be alert to suspicious persons, questions about the cargo, tampering with the vehicle, unattended packages, and unusual behavior at loading or unloading sites, and must report them.

Do not discuss the nature of the hazmat cargo, route, or delivery schedule with strangers; verify the identity of anyone requesting information or access to the vehicle, and keep the vehicle locked when unattended.

A security plan is required for shippers and carriers of certain high-consequence hazardous materials (such as Division 1.1 explosives, Division 2.3 gases, Division 6.1 PG I, and Division 4.3 PG I) and must address personnel, facility, and en-route security.

If the vehicle is hijacked or a suspicious package is found, do not confront anyone; note descriptions, license numbers, and direction of travel, and call 911 and the employer immediately.

Keep shipping papers and the emergency response phone number accessible so responders can identify the cargo, and never leave a placarded vehicle unlocked or unattended in an unsecured area.