Pennsylvania CDL HazMat cheat sheet

HazMat is a material meeting any DOT hazard class definition or listed by name in the Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101); the table entry controls the proper shipping name, class, packing group, labels, and packaging.

The four communication requirements travel together: shipping papers, package marking, package labeling, and vehicle placarding; a shipment missing any required element is improperly offered.

Hazard classes: 1 Explosives, 2 Gases, 3 Flammable/Combustible Liquids, 4 Flammable Solids, 5 Oxidizers/Organic Peroxides, 6 Toxic/Infectious, 7 Radioactive, 8 Corrosives, 9 Miscellaneous.

Division 2.3 = toxic by inhalation; Division 6.1 PG I = poison inhalation hazard (PIH) for liquids with high volatility; 6.2 = infectious substances.

Packing Group I is greatest danger, II moderate, III least; not all entries carry a PG (e.g., many Class 2 and 7 entries do not).

The basic description on a shipping paper is, in order: proper shipping name, hazard class or division, UN/NA identification number, and packing group (PG when assigned).

A carrier may not accept a HazMat shipment without emergency response telephone number and the required emergency response information; the shipper must provide both.

Forbidden materials may not be offered or transported; a material not listed by name must be described using a generic or n.o.s. entry with the technical name in parentheses.

The basic description must be legible, in English, and printed on a shipping paper that is readily accessible to the driver; the driver keeps it within reach while at the controls and in a pouch or holder when away from the vehicle.

Emergency response telephone number must be monitored at all times the shipment is in transportation, include area code, and be reachable for emergency information; a number that only reaches an answering machine or requires call-back is not acceptable.

Emergency response information must accompany the shipping paper and include the nature of the hazard, fire/explosion risks, immediate precautions, first aid, and handling methods; it may be on the shipping paper or in a separate guide.

HazMat shipping papers must be distinguishable from other paperwork - tabbed, highlighted, or kept in a separate holder - so they are identifiable in an emergency.

When a shipping paper covers both HazMat and non-HazMat, the HazMat entries must be clearly identified, and the total quantity must be shown for each HazMat entry.

Emergency response information may be satisfied by the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) or a comparable document kept with the shipping paper.

Retention: shippers and carriers keep HazMat shipping papers for 2 years (shippers of hazardous waste keep 3 years).

The driver must present shipping papers for inspection on demand to DOT, police, or emergency responders, and must display them when stopped at a railroad crossing or inspection point.

Markings are required on the package (proper shipping name, UN number, consignee/consignor, orientation arrows for liquids in combination packagings); labels are the diamond hazard labels applied to the package.

Placards are applied to the vehicle or bulk package; placarding is generally required when the aggregate gross weight of a class in one vehicle reaches 1,001 lb (454 kg) - Table 2 materials.

Table 1 materials (e.g., Division 1.1–1.3 explosives, 2.3 toxic gas, 4.3 dangerous when wet, 6.1 PG I PIH, 7 radioactive yellow-III) require placards for any quantity.

Placard both sides and both ends of the vehicle; a single placard may be used on bulk packages and portable tanks in place of the vehicle placard when the package itself is placarded.

DANGEROUS placard may be used in place of specific placards only for Table 2 materials when the aggregate weight is less than 1,001 lb but the shipment still requires placarding, and only if the freight does not include Table 1 materials.

The UN number must appear on the placard or on an orange panel adjacent to the placard for bulk packages, portable tanks, and tank cars; the number is not required on non-bulk vehicle placards.

Labels and placards show the hazard class number at the bottom point of the diamond; compatibility groups for Class 1 appear on the label, and the division number appears on the placard.

A placarded vehicle must display the placards on all four sides; a vehicle carrying only residue of a HazMat in a tank may display a placard on the front and rear only if the tank is empty and the placard is visible.

Do not load Division 6.1 PG I PIH (poison inhalation hazard) or Division 2.3 toxic gas in the same vehicle with food, feed, or anything intended for human or animal consumption.

Cyanides and acids must not be loaded together; oxidizers must be segregated from flammable liquids and combustible materials; acids and caustics are kept apart from each other.

Explosives are loaded and secured so they cannot shift; detonators and other initiating devices are separated from explosive charges, and Division 1.1 and 1.2 materials are not loaded with Division 1.5 or other incompatible explosives.

Secure every package so it cannot slide, roll, or tip; use blocking, bracing, tiedowns, or load bars rated for the load, and check tiedown tension after the first miles and at each stop.

Never load HazMat into a trailer with a heater, open flame, or other ignition source unless the material is approved for that environment; keep combustibles away from the engine and exhaust.

Load and unload in a way that prevents spills: check package integrity, close valves and caps, use drip pans for liquids, and never drop or drag packages.

Do not smoke or carry a lighted smoking material while loading or unloading HazMat, and keep the engine off and brakes set during loading at a dock.

Mixed loads: when a vehicle carries multiple hazard classes, placard for each class present that meets the placarding threshold; the DANGEROUS placard is a substitute only under the limited Table 2 conditions.

A bulk package holds more than 119 gallons (450 L) of liquid, more than 882 lb (400 kg) of solid, or more than 1,000 lb (454 kg) of gas, or is a cargo tank or portable tank of any capacity.

Cargo tank and portable tank markings require the proper shipping name and UN number on the tank, plus the specification plate; the UN number must also appear on the vehicle placard or orange panel.

Cargo tanks must be inspected and tested per their specification (external visual and leak test annually, internal inspection and pressure test at intervals); the driver must check for leaks, cracks, and damaged fittings before loading.

Portable tanks (IM 101, IM 102, UN portable tanks) carry a specification plate and must be marked with the proper shipping name, UN number, and maximum gross weight; do not exceed the marked capacity.

Tank vehicles carrying flammable liquids must have the tank bonded and grounded during loading to prevent static ignition; keep the dome cover closed and secured before moving.

Before loading a cargo tank, verify the tank is approved for the material (specification and lining compatibility), that the valves are closed, and that the emergency shutoff is functional.

A cargo tank carrying a HazMat must display the required placards on all four sides unless the empty-residue exception applies; the tank must be marked with the UN number on the placard or orange panel.

After unloading a bulk package, close all valves and caps, and if the tank is empty but not purged, keep the placards and shipping papers marked as residue ("RESIDUE: Last Contained").

A vehicle carrying a HazMat requiring placards must stop at all railroad crossings, stop the engine, look and listen, and proceed only when safe; this applies whether or not a train is visible.

Parking: do not park a placarded vehicle within 5 feet of the traveled portion of a public street or highway, and never within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, dwelling, or place of public assembly unless the vehicle is attended.

A placarded vehicle may be left unattended only in a secure location (fenced lot, designated parking area) or when the driver is within 100 feet and the vehicle is visible; otherwise it must be attended.

Do not park a placarded vehicle on a public street or highway except for brief necessary stops; when stopped, set the parking brake, chock the wheels if on a grade, and leave the engine off.

Smoking and open flames are prohibited within 25 feet of a placarded vehicle during loading, unloading, or while stopped; no smoking in the cab or near the cargo.

Fueling: turn off the engine before fueling a placarded vehicle; no fueling with passengers aboard or with the engine running.

Route restrictions: some tunnels, bridges, and urban areas restrict HazMat; check the route and obey posted restrictions, and never enter a tunnel posted for HazMat.

A driver of a placarded vehicle must not transport unauthorized passengers; the vehicle must be marked and the driver must be able to present shipping papers and emergency information.

Immediate actions at a HazMat incident: stop, protect yourself, isolate the area, keep people away and upwind, notify emergency responders, and do not attempt cleanup unless trained and equipped.

Reportable quantity (RQ): a release of a HazMat in a quantity equal to or greater than the RQ listed in 49 CFR 172.101 Appendix A must be reported to the National Response Center (NRC) at 1-800-424-8802.

A written incident report (DOT Form 5800.1) is required for a release of a HazMat in transportation that results in death, injury requiring hospitalization, evacuation, property damage over $50,000, or a release of a reportable quantity.

The written report is submitted to the DOT within 30 days of the incident; a telephone report to the NRC is required immediately for a reportable release.

If the shipping paper or placard does not identify the material, use the ERG to identify the guide number and hazard; never assume a spill is water or a non-hazard.

Fire: use the extinguisher appropriate to the class; for flammable liquids use foam, dry chemical, or CO2, and for water-reactive materials (Division 4.3) do not use water.

After an incident, secure the scene, prevent the spill from entering drains or waterways, and preserve shipping papers and package markings for investigators.

If you are involved in a HazMat incident, notify your dispatcher and the shipper, and follow the emergency response information provided with the shipping papers.

Explosives (Class 1): placard any quantity of Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3; Division 1.4 requires placarding only when the aggregate gross weight reaches 1,001 lb; never smoke or use flame near explosives.

Radioactive (Class 7): placard any quantity of Radioactive Yellow-III; Radioactive White-I and Yellow-II require placards when the aggregate transport index or weight threshold is met; keep shipping papers and package labels intact.

Radioactive packages must be loaded so the transport index limits are not exceeded, and the vehicle must be placarded and marked; do not load radioactive packages with food or feed.

PIH (Division 6.1 PG I and Division 2.3): placard any quantity; do not load with food, feed, or consumer goods; keep shipping papers accessible and note the PIH designation for responders.

Hazardous waste: a hazardous waste manifest (Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest) accompanies the shipment, and the generator, transporter, and designated facility each keep a copy; the transporter keeps a copy for 3 years.

Hazardous waste must be packaged, marked, and labeled per DOT rules and placarded as required; the manifest must include the EPA waste codes and the DOT basic description.

A hazardous waste shipment must be delivered to the designated facility named on the manifest; if delivery cannot be made, the transporter must contact the generator and follow the manifest's alternate facility instructions.

Explosives and radioactive materials require special handling: secure the load, avoid rough handling, and follow the shipper's written instructions and the ERG guide for the specific division.