Georgia CDL Hazmat key terms

Any substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported in commerce, as classified by the DOT hazard classes.

The listing in 49 CFR 172.101 that names regulated materials and gives their hazard class, identification number, packing group, label codes, and special provisions.

One of nine DOT categories grouping materials by the type of risk they present, such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosives, or radioactive material.

A subdivision within a hazard class that narrows the degree or type of hazard, such as Class 2 gases split into flammable, non-flammable, and toxic divisions.

A Roman numeral I, II, or III assigned to a material showing its degree of danger, with I being greatest hazard and III the least within its class.

A four-digit number, often preceded by UN or NA, that identifies a specific hazardous material and appears on shipping papers, packages, and orange placards.

The minimum shipping paper entry for a hazardous material: the proper shipping name, hazard class or division, identification number, and packing group in that order.

The name of a hazardous material exactly as it appears in the Hazardous Materials Table, which must be used on shipping papers and package markings.

The documentation that must accompany a hazardous materials shipment, giving the basic description, emergency response information, and shipper certification.

Information that must accompany hazardous materials shipping papers, such as a guidebook page or emergency contact number, to help responders handle an incident.

A signed statement on the shipping paper confirming the material is properly classified, described, packaged, marked, and labeled for transport.

Required identification placed directly on a package, such as the proper shipping name, identification number, orientation arrows, or the word hazardous.

A small diamond-shaped warning applied to individual packages showing the hazard class of the contents through color, symbol, and text.

A large diamond-shaped warning sign placed on the outside of a vehicle or bulk container to show the hazard class of the load to others.

An optional or required placard used when a vehicle carries two or more categories of hazardous materials in quantities that do not require each specific placard.

The threshold requiring placards when the total gross weight of all hazardous materials in one class on a vehicle reaches 1,001 pounds or more.

Keeping incompatible hazardous materials apart during loading and transport so a leak or fire in one cannot easily affect the other.

Hazardous materials that could react dangerously, such as igniting, producing toxic gas, or exploding, if they mix or are stored too close together.

Blocking, bracing, or tying down cargo so packages cannot shift, slide, or fall during normal driving, braking, or turning.

The process of placing hazardous materials onto a vehicle, including checking packaging condition, labels, placards, and compatibility before stowing the cargo.

The restriction on placing packages of certain hazardous materials close to a vehicle's exhaust or heating system that could raise their temperature.

A reference book carried by drivers that lists hazardous materials by name or number and gives initial isolation distances and first-response actions.

The recommended distance to keep people away from a hazardous materials spill or fire, found in the emergency guidebook's table of initial isolation and protective action.

A three-digit number in the emergency guidebook that points responders to recommended actions for a group of materials sharing similar hazards.

An unintentional release of hazardous material from its packaging, requiring the driver to stop, secure the area, and notify proper authorities.

The requirement to notify authorities after certain hazardous materials events such as a spill, fire, injury, or release above a set quantity.

The amount of a hazardous substance released that triggers mandatory reporting to the National Response Center and state or local authorities.

The federal 24-hour center that receives reports of hazardous materials releases and relays them to the appropriate response agencies.

Basic training that helps drivers recognize and respond to possible threats, such as suspicious persons, tampering, or unattended shipments.

A written procedure required for certain high-risk hazardous materials shipments, covering personnel checks, access control, and en-route security measures.

A marking added to a commercial driver's license after the driver passes a knowledge test and a security threat assessment.

Whether two hazardous materials can be carried together safely without reacting, determined by their hazard classes and special provisions.

Two upward-pointing arrows or the words this side up placed on packages of liquid hazardous materials to show the correct upright position.

A container other than a package or cylinder that holds hazardous material without intermediate containment, such as a cargo tank or portable tank.

The duty to stop, avoid ignition sources, keep people away, warn traffic, and contact emergency responders after a hazardous materials release.