Tank Vehicle Loading, Unloading, and Cargo Securement
What this domain tests
This section covers tank vehicle loading, unloading, and cargo securement. The exam tests transfer discipline: securing the vehicle, controlling the transfer, preventing spills, and leaving the tank closed and road-ready.
Core rules
- Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock wheels before loading or unloading.
- Attend the transfer; never leave the vehicle unattended with a valve open or a hose connected.
- Bond and ground the tank before loading flammable liquids; connect the ground first and disconnect it last.
- Inspect hoses, couplings, and valves before transfer; use the emergency shutoff if a hose fails.
- Close and secure dome covers, valves, and caps before moving; stow hoses and equipment.
- Confirm the load is within weight limits and the tank is secured to the frame.
Worked example
A driver starts unloading at a terminal and walks away to sign paperwork. The hose coupling leaks. Reasoning: an unattended transfer turns a small leak into a spill because no one can close the emergency shutoff. The driver should stay at the controls, monitor the hose and valves, and keep the area clear. Paperwork can wait until the transfer is stopped and the valves are closed.
Traps
- Leaving the vehicle during transfer.
- Grounding the tank but not bonding the receiving container, or connecting in the wrong order.
- Moving with a dome cover or valve not fully closed.
- Relying on a chock or brake alone on a slope instead of level ground.