Communication Rules: Shipping Papers, Marking, Labeling, Placarding
Communication Rules: Shipping Papers, Marking, Labeling, Placarding
This domain tests the four-part communication chain that lets emergency responders and inspectors identify a shipment: shipping paper, package marking, package labels, and vehicle placards. Indiana questions frequently test the order of the basic description, the emergency response telephone number, and when the 1,001-pound placard threshold applies.
Shipping papers
- A shipping paper must include a basic description in this sequence: UN identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class or division (subsidiary class in parentheses), and packing group (49 CFR 172.202). Total quantity and unit of measure are also required.
- The shipper certifies that the material is offered in compliance with the regulations (172.204). The emergency response telephone number must be monitored at all times the material is in transportation, including storage incidental to transportation, and must include the area code (172.604).
- Carriers keep shipping papers accessible to the driver and to emergency responders; the driver must keep them in a holder mounted within reach or in a clearly marked pocket.
Marking, labels, placards
- Non-bulk packages normally show the proper shipping name and UN number; bulk packages show the UN number. Orientation arrows are required on combination packages containing liquids (172.312). RQ and Marine Pollutant marks may also be required.
- Labels go on packages; placards go on transport vehicles and bulk packages. Table 1 materials require placards in any quantity. Table 2 materials require placards when the aggregate gross weight of all Table 2 materials is 1,001 pounds or more (172.504).
- When 1,001 pounds or more of two or more Table 2 categories are loaded, the DANGEROUS placard may replace the individual Table 2 placards, but Table 1 placards are still required separately.
Worked example
A truck carries 800 lb of a Table 2 Class 3 material, 300 lb of a Table 2 Class 8 material, and 50 lb of a Table 1 Class 6.1 PG I material. Table 2 total is 1,100 lb, so placards are required. Because two Table 2 categories exceed 1,001 lb, DANGEROUS may be used for those categories; the 50 lb Table 1 material still needs its own POISON placard.
Traps
The 1,001-pound rule is aggregate gross weight, not net weight and not per class. Table 1 has no threshold. Labels are not placards. The basic description order is UN number, name, class, PG-not name first. An emergency phone that is not monitored 24/7 does not satisfy 172.604.