Indiana CDL HazMat Endorsement Test flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

HazMat definition

A material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported. 49 CFR Parts 100-185 set the rules, and Indiana applies them to intrastate movement.

Placardable quantity

1,001 pounds (454 kg) or more aggregate gross weight of a single hazard class in one vehicle. Explosives in divisions 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 and poison inhalation hazards require placards at any quantity.

Packing groups

Three groups ranking danger: I great danger, II medium danger, III minor danger. Not every hazard class uses packing groups, and the assignment appears in the Hazardous Materials Table.

Reportable quantity

The amount of a hazardous substance released that triggers federal notification. RQ values appear in 49 CFR 172.101 Appendix A, and the letters RQ appear on the shipping paper.

Hazardous Materials Table

49 CFR 172.101 lists each material's proper shipping name, hazard class, ID number, packing group, label codes, and special provisions. It is the primary reference for preparing a shipment.

Basic description order

Proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN/NA identification number, and packing group. Example: Gasoline, 3, UN1203, PG II. The ID number must stay with the shipping name.

Emergency response telephone

A number on the shipping paper that is monitored at all times the material is in transit and belongs to a person or agency with knowledge of the material and its hazards.

Shipping paper storage

While driving, keep papers within reach, in a pouch on the driver's door, or in clear view on the dashboard. They must be accessible to emergency responders at the scene.

DANGEROUS placard use

May be used instead of specific placards when two or more hazard classes are loaded, each at 1,001 pounds or more aggregate gross weight. It does not replace required class-specific placards below that threshold.

Placard and label size

Placards are 250 mm square diamond shapes mounted on vehicles and containers. Labels are 100 mm square diamonds affixed to packages. Both show the hazard class number at the bottom point.

Cyanide and acid rule

Never load cyanides with acids. An acid spill on cyanide generates deadly hydrogen cyanide gas, so these materials must be kept apart in the cargo area and during transfer.

Foodstuffs segregation

Hazardous materials must never be loaded in the same space as food, feed, or anything intended for human or animal consumption. Keep them completely separated to prevent contamination.

PIH loading rule

Poison inhalation hazard packages must be loaded so the driver can see them from the cab and reach them without entering the cargo area. This allows quick detection of a leak.

Package inspection

Before loading, check each package for leaks, damage, and missing labels. Refuse damaged packages and report the problem to the shipper rather than loading the material.

Bulk package threshold

A package is bulk when its capacity exceeds 119 gallons (450 L) for liquids, 882 pounds (400 kg) for solids, or 1,001 pounds water capacity for gases.

Cargo tank markings

Tanks must show the specification number, the proper shipping name, and the UN/NA number, visible on both sides and the rear. Check the specification plate before loading.

Tank vehicle extinguisher

A tank vehicle carrying a flammable liquid needs at least one fire extinguisher rated 20 BC. A combination vehicle also needs one 20 BC unit, kept charged and inspected.

Static electricity bonding

Before transferring flammable liquid, bond the tank to the receiving container and ground it. This prevents a static spark from igniting vapors during loading or unloading.

Filling density and outage

Tanks must not be filled beyond the marked fill limit. Leaving outage, or vapor space, allows liquid to expand with temperature without overflowing or rupturing the tank.

Railroad crossing stop

A vehicle carrying a placardable quantity of hazardous materials must stop before every railroad crossing, look both ways, listen, and proceed only when the tracks are clear.

Parking near hazards

Do not park within 5 feet of a roadway or within 300 feet of an open flame, bridge, tunnel, or occupied building when carrying explosives or flammable materials.

Unattended vehicle rule

A placardable HazMat vehicle left unattended must be parked in a secure area with the brake set and key removed. Never leave it on a public roadway unless in a designated area.

Smoking prohibition

Never smoke or carry lit smoking material near a vehicle containing flammable or combustible materials. Keep the engine off during loading and unloading of these materials.

National Response Center

The federal point of contact for hazardous material releases, reached at 1-800-424-8802. Notify it immediately after a release, along with local emergency responders and the carrier.

Emergency Response Guidebook

The ERG assigns a guide number to each material by ID number or name. The orange guide pages give protective actions, isolation distances, and firefighting guidance for that material.

Spill containment

Stop the leak if safe, dike or absorb the material, and keep it out of drains, sewers, and waterways. Do not eat, drink, or smoke, and wear the protective equipment the ERG specifies.

Fire response limits

Do not fight a fire involving explosives, compressed gases, or a large flammable liquid pool. Isolate the area, stay upwind, and let trained responders handle the incident.

TSA threat assessment

The HazMat endorsement requires a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment with fingerprinting and a background check before Indiana issues the H endorsement.

HazMat training requirement

Drivers must complete training covering general awareness, function-specific knowledge, and safety and security awareness, and must carry proof of that training.

Security plan duties

Carriers of certain high-consequence materials must have a security plan. Drivers follow its procedures for securing the vehicle and reporting suspicious activity to the carrier and law enforcement.

Suspicious activity reporting

Report suspicious persons, vehicles, or activity near a HazMat load to the carrier and local law enforcement. Never confront a suspicious person or disclose the load's contents.

Endorsement notification duty

A driver holding the H endorsement must notify the employer and licensing agency of a disqualifying conviction or loss of the endorsement, since the threat assessment must remain current.