Hazardous Materials Awareness for Passenger Carriers
What this domain tests
This domain tests recognition of hazardous materials, the limits on carrying them in a passenger vehicle, and initial emergency response. You are not expected to be a hazmat specialist, but you must refuse unauthorized items and know when to isolate and call for help.
Core rules and concepts
- Passengers generally may not bring hazardous materials aboard a bus except for limited regulatory exceptions. The driver must refuse unauthorized packages, containers, or luggage that may contain hazmat.
- Recognize the nine hazard classes: explosives (1), gases (2), flammable liquids (3), flammable solids (4), oxidizers (5), toxic substances (6), radioactive materials (7), corrosives (8), and miscellaneous hazardous materials (9).
- Clues include placards, UN numbers, diamond-shaped labels, shipping papers, strong odors, leaking containers, and suspicious packages.
- If a hazmat release occurs: isolate the area, keep passengers away and upwind, call 911, and use the Emergency Response Guidebook for initial guidance. Do not touch or smell the material.
Worked example
A passenger boards with an unlabeled five-gallon can that smells like gasoline. Reasoning: gasoline is a Class 3 flammable liquid, and an unlabeled can is not authorized passenger luggage. The driver refuses boarding, keeps the can away from the bus, and reports the incident. Stowing it in the luggage compartment would create a fire and explosion risk.
Traps
Assuming all passenger luggage is exempt; accepting unlabeled containers; loading hazmat without shipping papers or placards; using water on every type of fire; failing to isolate and call for hazmat help.