Texas 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.

The regulatory list in 49 CFR 172.101 that names regulated materials and shows their hazard class, identification number, packing group, required labels, and special provisions.

One of nine numbered categories grouping materials by the type of danger they present, such as flammable liquid, corrosive, or radioactive.

A subdivision within a hazard class that narrows the type or degree of hazard, such as Class 2 gases split into flammable, nonflammable, and poisonous divisions.

A rating of I, II, or III assigned to a material showing its degree of danger, where I represents great danger and III represents minor danger.

A four-digit number, often preceded by UN or NA, that identifies a specific hazardous material and links it to shipping paper entries, packages, and emergency response information.

The amount of a hazardous substance released that triggers immediate notification to the National Response Center and state or local authorities under environmental rules.

A material listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as harmful to the environment when released, which carries extra shipping paper and reporting duties beyond general hazmat rules.

Discarded material regulated as hazardous, which requires a uniform hazardous waste manifest instead of an ordinary shipping paper when moved off site.

The shipping document, such as a bill of lading, that travels with a hazmat load and carries the required basic description, emergency response information, and shipper certification.

The required shipping paper entry showing identification number, proper shipping name, hazard class or division, and packing group, arranged in that sequence.

The name of a hazardous material exactly as listed in the Hazardous Materials Table, which must be used on shipping papers and package markings instead of a brand or common name.

Written guidance carried with hazmat shipping papers that describes the material's hazards and immediate actions for a driver or responder during a spill, fire, or exposure.

A signed statement on the shipping paper by the offeror declaring that the material is properly classified, described, packaged, marked, and labeled for transport.

The person who tenders a hazardous material for transportation, and who is responsible for correct classification, packaging, marking, labeling, and shipping paper preparation.

A diamond-shaped decal placed on a package that shows the hazard class symbol, name, and text for the material inside.

A larger diamond-shaped sign mounted on the outside of a vehicle or freight container to warn others of the hazard class of the contents.

The chart in 49 CFR 172.504 that lists which hazard classes require placards and the weight thresholds that trigger placarding for a shipment.

The rule requiring placards for a shipment of a hazard class when the aggregate gross weight of all materials in that class reaches 1,001 pounds or more.

Required information applied directly to a package or vehicle, such as the proper shipping name, identification number, or orientation arrows, that identifies its contents and handling needs.

A packaging other than a vessel or barge that holds more than 119 gallons of liquid, more than 882 pounds of solid, or more than 1,000 pounds of gas, with no intermediate containment.

A packaging that holds 119 gallons or less of liquid, 882 pounds or less of solid, or 1,000 pounds or less of gas.

A bulk packaging permanently attached to a motor vehicle, used to carry liquid or gaseous hazardous materials and subject to special design, inspection, and loading rules.

The requirement to keep certain incompatible hazardous materials apart during loading or storage so that a leak or reaction in one does not endanger the other.

Hazardous materials that could react dangerously if mixed or exposed to each other, so they must be separated and never loaded together without safeguards.

Blocking, bracing, or tiedown of hazmat packages so they cannot shift, slide, or fall during transport, which is required before the vehicle is moved.

A reference organized by identification number and material name that gives initial isolation distances and first-response actions for hazmat incidents.

The duty to notify authorities after certain hazmat incidents, such as a release of a reportable quantity, a fire, or an injury requiring hospitalization.

The federal clearinghouse that must be notified immediately after a hazardous material discharge that meets reporting thresholds.

The H endorsement added to a commercial driver license that allows the holder to operate a vehicle carrying hazardous materials requiring placards.

A federal background check involving fingerprinting and criminal history review that a driver must pass before receiving or renewing a hazmat endorsement.

The N endorsement required to drive a tank vehicle, which is often needed along with the hazmat endorsement to haul bulk liquid loads.

The restriction that a placarded vehicle may not be parked within 5 feet of the traveled portion of a public street or highway unless attended or secured against movement.

A parked hazmat vehicle is attended when the driver is inside it or within 100 feet with an unobstructed view and can move it if needed.

A rule barring placarded hazmat vehicles from certain tunnels, or requiring them to use specific routes, because of the danger of a release in a confined space.

Designated highways or local route requirements that direct hazmat carriers away from sensitive areas such as tunnels, dense populations, or water supplies.

The required complete stop before a railroad crossing by certain hazmat vehicles, including those carrying chlorine or other specified gases, before proceeding when safe.

The motor carrier that operates the vehicle and shares responsibility with the shipper for compliance, including driver training, placarding, and incident response.

Required instruction for workers who handle hazmat in general awareness, function-specific duties, safety, and security awareness, with recurrent refresher training.

The requirement that a carrier keep hazmat shipping papers for a set period after delivery, commonly 375 days, so they can be produced for inspection.