Kentucky CDL Hazmat key terms

Any substance or material that the Secretary of Transportation has determined is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and that is listed in the hazardous materials table.

The regulatory listing in 49 CFR 172.101 that names each regulated material and specifies its hazard class, identification number, packing group, label codes, packaging exceptions, and quantity limits for passenger and cargo aircraft and vessels.

One of nine categories that group materials by the type of risk they present, such as explosives, flammable liquids, corrosives, or radioactive material. The class drives the label, placard, packaging, and segregation rules that apply.

A subdivision within a hazard class that narrows the hazard further, such as Class 1 explosives divided into divisions 1.1 through 1.6 or Class 2 gases divided into 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 based on flammability and toxicity.

A three-level ranking, I, II, or III, assigned to many hazardous materials to reflect the degree of danger they present. Packing Group I is the greatest danger, and the group affects which packagings and quantities are authorized.

A four-digit number, preceded by the letters UN or NA, that uniquely identifies a hazardous material for shipping papers, package markings, and placards. It lets emergency responders find the correct response guide quickly.

The name of a hazardous material as shown in the hazardous materials table, used on shipping papers and package markings. It must match the table entry exactly and must not be replaced by a common or trade name.

The required sequence of information on a shipping paper: proper shipping name, hazard class or division, identification number, and packing group, in that order, with no additional information intermingled within the sequence.

The documentation that accompanies a hazardous materials shipment, such as a bill of lading or manifest. It must describe the material, show the total quantity, list emergency response information, and include a shipper's certification.

Written guidance carried with hazardous materials shipping papers that tells responders what to do in an incident, including immediate hazards, protective clothing needs, evacuation guidance, and first aid measures.

A number on the shipping paper that must be monitored at all times the material is in transportation and that connects callers to someone with knowledge of the material's hazards and response measures.

A signed statement on the shipping paper in which the shipper confirms that the material is fully and accurately described, classified, packaged, marked, labeled, and placarded in accordance with the regulations.

A multi-copy tracking document required for hazardous waste shipments that records the generator, transporter, and receiving facility and follows the waste from origin to disposal, with copies returned to the generator.

Waste that is hazardous by regulation because it is listed by the EPA or exhibits a characteristic such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity. Transporting it requires a manifest and often a hazardous materials endorsement.

Packaging that is designed and tested to meet a specified performance level, such as drop, stacking, and pressure tests, rather than being built to a prescribed design. UN packaging markings show the tests it passed.

The symbol and code stamped on certified packaging that shows the UN symbol, packaging type, performance level, tested mass or specific gravity, year of manufacture, country, and manufacturer, allowing inspectors to verify it is authorized.

Packaging built to a design standard prescribed in the regulations, such as a DOT specification drum or cylinder, rather than certified by performance testing. Its specification number appears in the marking.

A diamond-shaped label applied to a package that shows the hazard class or division of the contents. Labels are smaller than placards and are required on non-bulk packages based on the hazard class and packing group.

A larger diamond-shaped warning sign placed on the exterior of a transport vehicle, freight container, or bulk package to identify the hazard class or division of its contents to emergency responders and the public.

A provision that allows certain hazardous materials to be shipped without placards under specific conditions, such as limited quantities, small quantities in non-bulk packages, or materials packaged in quantities below the placarding threshold.

A small inner packaging quantity of a hazardous material that qualifies for reduced marking, labeling, and placarding requirements when the package is marked with the limited quantity mark and meets the applicable quantity limits.

A material packaged and distributed for retail sale for personal or household use that, when it meets the definition and quantity limits, may be renamed and shipped under relaxed marking, labeling, and placarding rules.

A former classification for other regulated material, typically consumer commodities such as aerosol products, that presented a limited hazard during transportation. The category has largely been replaced by the consumer commodity and limited quantity framework.

A packaging, other than a vessel or barge, with a capacity greater than 119 gallons for liquids, 882 pounds for solids, or 1,000 pounds of water capacity for gases, or a freight container of that capacity.

A packaging with a capacity of 119 gallons or less for liquids, 882 pounds or less for solids, or 1,000 pounds or less water capacity for gases. Labels rather than placards normally apply to these packages.

A bulk packaging permanently attached to a motor vehicle, such as a tank truck, that carries liquids or gases. It must meet specification requirements and be marked and placarded for the material it holds.

A bulk packaging that is not permanently attached to a vehicle and can be loaded, unloaded, and moved while secured to the vehicle. It must meet the applicable specification and be marked with the required information.

The H endorsement added to a commercial driver's license after the driver passes a knowledge test and a TSA security threat assessment, required to drive a vehicle carrying placarded amounts of hazardous materials.

A TSA background check required before a hazardous materials endorsement is issued or renewed. It screens for criminal history, immigration status, and terrorist watchlist matches that would disqualify the driver.

A permit issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to motor carriers that transport certain high-risk hazardous materials, such as large quantities of radioactive material or toxic inhalation hazards, requiring a security plan and safe operating practices.

A written plan required for certain hazardous materials shipments that addresses personnel security, unauthorized access, en route security, and how the carrier will respond to security threats or breaches.

A material that is toxic when inhaled and poses a severe risk in a release, identified as Hazard Zone A, B, C, or D. Shipments are subject to special routing, parking, and security requirements.

A reference guide, commonly called the ERG, that organizes hazardous materials by identification number and material name and provides response guidance, protective actions, and evacuation distances for incidents.

The amount of a hazardous substance released that triggers requirements to notify the National Response Center and state or local authorities, based on the substance's listing under environmental law.

The federal point of contact operated by the Coast Guard that receives reports of hazardous materials releases and relays them to the appropriate federal, state, and local agencies for response.

A written report required after certain hazardous materials incidents, such as a release, fire, or accident, submitted to the appropriate federal agency describing what happened, the material involved, and any injuries or damage.

The practice of keeping incompatible hazardous materials apart during loading and transport so that a leak or fire in one does not react with another, based on compatibility tables and separation requirements.

The use of tiedowns, blocking, bracing, or other devices to keep hazardous materials cargo from shifting, sliding, or falling during transport, following the general cargo securement rules for the vehicle and load.

The N endorsement required to operate a tank vehicle used to transport liquids or gases in bulk, covering the special handling, surge, and rollover risks of tank trucks.

Remaining with a parked vehicle carrying hazardous materials so it can be moved promptly in an emergency. Attendance rules apply to placarded loads and certain high-risk materials when parked.

The restrictions on where a placarded vehicle may be parked, including distance from bridges, tunnels, buildings, and crowds, and the requirement to attend the vehicle or use a secure lot in some cases.

A prohibition or limitation on driving a vehicle carrying certain hazardous materials through a tunnel, indicated by signs or routing rules because of the severe consequences of a release in a confined space.

Selecting a travel route for hazardous materials that avoids restricted tunnels, crowded areas, and unsafe roads, and that follows any required designated routes for high-risk shipments.