Pulling first Hazmat load, need a quick refresher

You do need the manual. Buy one or tell your company you need one for the load. They should allow a ComCheck or reimbursement.

Lay the BOL's and any paperwork on the seat or in the driver door when you leave the truck.

Make sure the trailer is placarded correctly, shipper should have provided the placards.

You cannot stop within 50' of a roadway.

Take the outer loops around cities. No HM or HC is usually allowed going thru cities on the freeways.

 

If you have a little time go to http://cristcdl.com/otc/ they have 7 practice test that you can go through pretty quickly. You don't have to sign up or give info if you don't want. it's free. it might jog your memory banks

 

Check the BOL. It must have:

1) an emergency contact number
2) Shipper signature/certification
3) The hazmat line item must list the following in this order:

a) Identification Number (UN#)
b) Proper Shipping Name (Name of Product)
c) Hazard Class (Number between 1 and 9)
d) Packing Group
e) Number and Type of Packaging (i.e. 4 drums)
f) Total Quantity by Mass or Volume (i.e. 200 kgs or 50L)

4) Your BOL must always be within reach while seated at the controls with your seatbelt on -- door pocket is preferable (bookmarking the correct ERG page is best).
5) If there are multiple shipping papers, the hazmat papers must be distinguished (either on top of the stack or "tabbed" so they stand out).



Other rules:

You must have a copy of the ERG guidebook (or at least a printout of the applicable pages for your shipment)

You must do (& log) tire checks every time you resume driving after stopping.

Make sure your placards are all the same and are all oriented correctly: "square on point" with the text reading horizontally or, if it is a marine pollutant placard, with the tree growing vertically (it is not a root). At a mega carrier you usually call safety and go over the BOL with them so they can confirm that you have the correct placards.

Make sure you have a 3" unmarked buffer space between your placard and any other markings on the trailer (this includes other placards). I like using white duct tape to cover up encroaching company logos.

DO NOT place any colored tape on top of the placard. Use clear tape if you want to further secure the placard.

Make sure the product is properly secured (blocked, braced, strapped). It doesn't hurt to take pictures with your cell phone. If the trailer is pre-sealed know that you, as the driver, are still responsible for ensuring the cargo is secure. Some pre-sealed trailers will have a Polaroid picture with the bills -- if not, and I didn't know the company well, I personally would be asking to break the seal & verify securement before driving.

Put on your 4-ways and stop 15-50' away from railroad crossings. Federally, this does not apply to every hazmat classes, but just do it to be safe especially since some states (like Washington) require every placarded vehicle to stop. The Federal rules further specify that you must look & listen both ways before proceeding across the tracks without shifting a manual transmission.

Do not go on routes with a red HM/HC circle unless delivering locally. This most often applies when driving straight through a big city instead of taking the beltway. But it also applies to some bridges and tunnels.

Do not park within 5 feet of a roadway unless you will be alert and in attendance (you cannot be in the sleeper).

If you break down, you must use triangles instead of flares.

When fueling, the engine must be off and you must physically be in control of the nozzle at all times. This means you cannot pump fuel into both tanks at the same time (so be careful if you edit your logs)

Do not smoke within 25' of Class 1, 2.1, 3, 4, or 5.

Make sure your fire extinguisher is a 10BC (non hazmat loads only require one 5BC or two 4BC's)



And, of course, make sure everything else is up to snuff. You're 10x more likely to get pulled in for an inspection when placarded.

 

Assuming you have an Alliance for Uniform Hazmat Transportation permit, you can bypass all but Arizona & Arkansas: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...SoVRZ2sKBoQaU5NJA&sig2=SCWwqkxfrxf0_xevHMdA4g

 

Don't stick you fingers in the HAZMAT and if you do don't lick them,,read your CDL manual

 

Wow...nice job by DY....Couldn't add anything if I wanted to.