Hazardous Materials Test Study Guide for the CDL

Page 2

More Hazmat Lessons

Lesson 4: Loading and Unloading

Reading assignment

  • Read Loading and Unloading (9.4 in the CA handbook).

  • Stop before “Bulk Packaging Marking, Loading and Unloading” (9.5 in the CA handbook).

Summary

  • Protect containers of HazMat.
  • Do not load using tools that could damage the packaging.
  • Do not use hooks.
  • Before loading, set the parking brakes (chock the wheels if necessary).
  • Secure load against movement.
  • Do not open packaging during your trip.

Tips (These things might be on the test.)

  • Do not move HazMat that is leaking.
  • Do not move HazMat if the packaging is wet or shows oily stains.
  • Load HazMat away from heat sources.
  • Do not smoke around: class 1 (explosives), division 2.1 (flammable gas), class 3 (flammable liquids), class 4 (flammable solids), or class 5 (oxidizers).
  • Do not use cargo heaters (including nose-units on reefer trailers) when carrying/loading/unloading: class 1 (explosives), division 2.1 (flammable gas), or class 3 (Flammable Liquids).
  • HazMat must be transported in a closed cargo space if you are transporting: class 1 (explosives), class 4 (flammable solids), or class 5 (oxidizers)—unless all packages are fire- and water-resistant or covered with a fire- and water-resistant tarp.
  • When handling explosives of any division, you must shut off the truck’s engine and disable the cargo heaters (drain the fuel tank).
  • When handling Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, the trailer must be equipped with a floor liner that is either nonmetallic or a non-ferrous metal.
  • Except in emergency, do not transfer Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives on a public roadway. Set out red warning reflectors, flags, or electric lanterns. (Do not use flares or fusees.)
  • Bottles of compressed gas should be stored vertically, secured in boxes, or stored in racks, or stored horizontal (lying down) strapped down. Relief valves must be designed to operate in the attitude that the bottles are secured.
  • Do not store HazMat in (or near) the cab of the truck, especially in (or near) the sleeping berth.

Things that Can’t be Transported Together

There are many different types of material that can’t be transported together. The second half of this section lists many of the prohibited combinations. Review that material.

In general, don’t transport:

  • explosives with radioactive material
  • explosives with a placarded tank
  • explosives with blasting caps
  • explosives with poison
  • poison with food
  • flammable with oxidizer
  • corrosive with any other HazMat

Lesson 5: Bulk Packaging, Marking, Loading, and Unloading

Reading assignment

  • Read Bulk Packaging Marking, Loading, and Unloading (9.5 in the CA handbook).

  • Stop before “Hazardous Materials — Driving and Parking Rules” (9.6 in the CA handbook).]

Summary

This section is mostly about the responsibilities of the shipper in preparing the load. Drivers should check that the shipper prepared the containers/trailer/paperwork correctly.

Tips (These things might be on the test.)

  • Bulk packaging is a single container with a capacity of 119 gallons or more.

  • When loading/unloading a tank, a qualified person must be present to supervise the loading and you should:
    • Be alert.
    • Have a clear view of the cargo tank.
    • Be within 25 feet.
    • Know what is in the tank and what the hazards are.
    • Know emergency procedures.
    • Be authorized to move the cargo tank.
    • Be able to move the cargo tank.
  • Manholes and valves must be closed to prevent leaks. When moving a tank, close all manholes and valves before moving a HazMat tank. It is illegal to move a cargo tank with open valves or covers, unless it is empty. Even if there is only a little cargo in the tank and/or you are traveling a short distance, the manholes and valves must be closed.

  • Flammable liquids: Only run the engine if it is needed to run a pump. Turn off your engine prior to loading/unloading. Ground the tank prior to filling a tank. Ground the tank before opening the filling hole, and maintain the ground until after closing the filling hole.

  • Compressed gas: Only run the engine if it is needed to run a pump. Turn off your engine prior to loading/unloading. Turn your engine off after product transfer. Keep liquid discharge valves closed, except when loading/unloading. Unhook all hoses before moving tank. Chock wheels if necessary.

Lesson 6: Driving and Parking Rules

Reading assignment

  • Read Hazardous Materials — Driving and Parking Rules (9.6 in the CA handbook).

  • Stop before “Hazardous Materials — Emergencies” (9.7 in the CA handbook).

Summary

There is a lot of information in this section. While studying, pay extra attention to restrictions that apply to:

  • division 1.1, 1.2, and/or 1.3 explosives
  • chlorine
  • radioactive material

Tips (These things might be on the test.)

  • When transporting division 1.1, 1.2, and/or 1.3 explosives:
    • Never park within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road.
    • Except to perform necessary work (e.g., fueling), never park within 300 feet of bridge, tunnel, buildings, a place where people gather, open fire, etc.
    • Do not park on private property, unless the owner is aware of the danger.
    • Someone must watch the parked vehicle (unless it is parked in a safe haven).
    • Someone other than the driver can watch the vehicle if the vehicle is on the shipper’s property, on the carrier’s property, or on the consignee’s property.
    • The vehicle can be left in a safe haven. (Safe havens are designated by local authorities.)
  • When transporting Hazmat other than Division 1.1, 1.2, and/or 1.3 explosives:
    • You may park within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road only if your work requires it.
    • Park as briefly as possible.
    • Someone must always watch the vehicle when parked on a public roadway or shoulder.
    • Do not uncouple a trailer and leave it with hazardous materials on a public street.
    • Do not park within 300 feet of an open fire.
  • The person attending a placarded vehicle must:
    • Be in the vehicle, awake (not in the sleeper berth), or within 100 feet of the vehicle and have it within clear view.
    • Be aware of hazards of the materials being transported.
    • Know what to do in emergencies.
    • Be able to move the vehicle, if needed.
  • Do not use flares, fuses, or burning signals (use reflective triangles or red electric lights) around:
    • a tank used for class 3 (flammable liquids), loaded or empty
    • a tank used for division 2.1 (flammable gas), loaded or empty
    • a vehicle loaded with division 1.1, 1.2, and/or 1.3 explosives
  • Smoking:
  1. Do not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded cargo tank used for:
    • class 3 (flammable liquids)
    • division 2.1 (gases)
  2. Do not smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe within 25 feet of any vehicle, which contains:
    • class 1 (explosives)
    • class 3 (flammable liquids)
    • class 4 (flammable solids)
    • division 4.2 (spontaneously combustible)
  • Fueling:
    • Turn off your engine before fueling a vehicle containing HazMat.
    • Someone must always be at the nozzle, controlling fuel flow.
  • Fire Extinguisher: The power unit of placarded vehicles must have a fire extinguisher with a rating of 10 B:C or more.

  • Shipping paper for HazMat must be:
    • easily recognized
    • easy to locate in an emergency
    • clearly distinguished from non-Hazmat paperwork by tabbing or keeping them on top of your stack of papers
    • have the emergency response information in the same place
    • in a pouch on the driver’s door (while driving or not driving), or
    • in easy reach with the seat belt on (while driving), or
    • on the driver’s seat (while not driving)
  • Chlorine: A driver transporting chlorine in cargo tanks must have an approved gas mask in the vehicle. The driver must also have an emergency kit for controlling leaks in dome cover plate fittings on the cargo tank.

  • Railroad Crossings: Stop before all railroad tracks (15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail), if:
    • your load is placarded, or
    • you carry any amount of chlorine (this might be on your written test), or
    • you have HazMat cargo tanks (loaded or empty). *
  • Do not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks.

Lesson 7: Emergencies

Reading assignment

  • Read Hazardous Materials — Emergencies (9.7 in the CA handbook).

  • Stop before “Hazardous Materials” — Glossary (9.8 in the CA handbook).

Summary

This section is concerned with how to handle an emergency. It is largely common sense, but in an emergency you might not be thinking clearly. Preparing for potential emergencies beforehand might prevent making a wrong decision during an actual emergency.

  1. Check that your team driver is okay.
  2. Keep the shipping papers with you.
  3. Warn other people of the danger.
  4. Keep yourself and others upwind of the danger.
  5. Call for help.
  6. Follow your employer’s instructions.

Also:

  • Don’t go for help yourself; send someone.
  • Don’t fight the fire yourself, unless the fire is very small.
  • Don’t open the doors of your trailer if there is any chance that there is a fire inside. A sudden rush of air can stoke up a small, smoldering fire.
  • Only attempt to contain a HazMat leak if you can do so safely.
  • Don’t drive your truck around looking for help; you could potentially leave a trail of HazMat that will be very expensive to clean up.

Note: It is much better to call the fire department and/or other emergency responders for a false alarm than to hope that your small problem won’t turn into a huge disaster.

Tips (These things might be on the test.)

Checklist:

  1. Check that your team driver is okay.
  2. Keep the shipping papers with you.
  3. Warn other people of the danger.
  4. Keep yourself and others upwind of the danger.
  5. Call for help.
  6. Follow your employer’s instructions.

Key facts that might be on the written test:

  • Send someone for help. Don’t leave the truck unattended.
  • Use the fire extinguisher to contain a tractor fire, but do not attempt to fight a HazMat fire. HazMat fires require special equipment and special training.
  • Feel trailer doors before attempting to open them. If the trailer is hot, do not open the doors.
  • Do not move the truck. (Only in the most extreme emergency would you move the truck. Keep it where it is parked.)

Lesson 8: Glossary

Reading assignment

  • Read Hazardous Materials — Glossary (9.8 in the CA handbook).

  • Read to the end of the section. (This is the last sub-section.)

Summary

Glossary of terms to review.

Additional Things to Know

  • Have a copy of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in your truck. (This is also known as “The Green Book.” Your employer will hand you a copy during orientation.)

  • Have a copy of “The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) and common references” in your truck. (This is also known as Emergency Response Guidebook or “The Yellow Book.” Your employer will hand you a copy during orientation.)

  • If you find that your “binder of stuff” is missing any documents, obtain them from your employer ASAP. Your company’s terminal(s) will have these documents available. These documents can include: a copy of the HazMat Transportation License, insurance documents, authority to transport liquor, etc.

  • HazMat loads must display four placards of at least 9.84 inches (250 mm) square—turned upright into a diamond shape and must bear the ID number of their contents. (Sometimes, instead of a diamond shaped placard, an orange rectangle is displayed.)

  • The regulations require training and testing for all drivers involved in transporting hazardous materials. Your company will provide this extra training.

  • Shippers will provide placards, but it is the responsibility of the driver to be certain that they are displayed properly.

  • It is generally a good habit to place all Bills Of Lading (BOL) in the door pocket of the driver’s door—even if the load is not HazMat. This pocket is the first place that Emergency Personnel will look for documents if there is a wreck or other problem.

For 24/7 HazMat help, call: CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300

All Study Guides for the CDL are now available as downloadable PDFs