Pulling first Hazmat load, need a quick refresher

Guitar Man · Jul 31, 2014

double yellow said: ↑

Make sure the BOL has:

an emergency contact number
Shipper signature/certification

Also make sure the hazmat item has all of this listed on the BOL in this order:

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

You must do (& log) tire checks every time you resume driving after stopping. Your BOL must always be within reach -- door pocket is preferable (bookmarking ERG page is best).

Make sure your placards are all the same, all oriented correctly ("square on point" with the text reading horizontally).

Make sure you have a 3" unmarked buffer space between your placard and any other markings on the trailer. Use white duct tape if you need to cover up a company logo.

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).

Stop before every railroad crossing (this doesn't apply to all hazmat classes, but just do it to be safe).

Do not go on routes with a red HM/HC circle. 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.

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.
Click to expand...

Admin. Seriously ought to make this post a sticky somewhere you laid it out that well.Great job bud!

blairandgretchen · Jul 31, 2014

Triple A COW.

Arkansas Alabama Arizona Colorado Ohio West Virginia.

Stop at all these and obey prepass on the others unless otherwise sign posted.

No speeding. Some states apply heavier penalties if placarded.

Ridgeline · Jul 31, 2014

Two things that are missed.

1 - the shipper is to provide you with the placards. It is not your responsibility to get them nor your company's, it is the shipped so even if you have them, ask for them and get them for spares.

2 - they should be able to provide you with the ERG info on the hazmat that is on your truck. On top of that you may need an MSDS (sp?) printout for the material you have on your truck.

oh and the third thing - no matter what, it is YOUR decision to take that shipment without the proper info/paperwork/placards - not your company's or the shippers. YOU have to remember that this is YOUR CDL if something happens and all of the others don't care about YOU!

Pmracing · Jul 31, 2014

Trailer must be locked! Key with bills.

Is that a DOT/Fed rule, or just my company?

Mikeeee

double yellow · Jul 31, 2014

I'm not aware of a federal rule requiring locks, but California requires locks on enclosed trailers with placards -- vc32001 (5). Nothing stating where the key must be...

California Vehicle Code said:

(A) The enclosed cargo body, when the display of placards is required pursuant to Section 27903, shall be locked and remain locked during transit of the hazardous materials so as to prevent any unauthorized entry and shall be opened only during loading, unloading, or at the direction of a peace officer, an authorized employee of the department, or a person authorized pursuant to Section 25185 of the Health and Safety Code.

(B) A driver transporting hazardous material in a locked cargo body shall verify that all locks are in place if the vehicle has been left unattended for any length of time. Each driver shall make a notation in his or her log book of the time and date that the verification occurred.

(C) For the purposes of this section, "cargo body" means a fully enclosed area that is an integral part of the vehicle and designed to encapsulate the entire load, such as a van body or an intermodal freight container, and does not mean a tank or flatbed type of vehicle.
Click to expand...

ewill71 · Aug 1, 2014

Pmracing said: ↑

Trailer must be locked! Key with bills.

Is that a DOT/Fed rule, or just my company?

Mikeeee
Click to expand...

I believe cali is the only state that requires locks, But some companies do. I never stop in Arkansas unless I get red lighted, I have never been stopped when I do. There are no posted rules regarding that. If I am doing this wrong, I am lucky so far then.

double yellow · Aug 1, 2014

ewill71 said: ↑

I never stop in Arkansas unless I get red lighted, I have never been stopped when I do. There are no posted rules regarding that. If I am doing this wrong, I am lucky so far then.
Click to expand...

I'm going by the Prepass brochure:

www.prepass.com/forms/other%20forms/bypass%20restrictions.pdf

ewill71 · Aug 2, 2014

never doubted you, But I guess I got lucky...

TJB · Aug 15, 2014

You cannot by-pass Ohio!

kemosabi49 · Aug 15, 2014

I have a highlighter pen, and on the BOL, I highlight my vehicle number, the line with the haz description(ie: Un1111, 8, III, whatitis, Quantity), And the emergency response number. Make it easy for the DOT to see what you know they look for. Also use a rubber band(s) or bookmarks to mark the appropriate pages on the Emergency Response Guide. That's the Un Number, Guide page and, if needed, the evacuation distance pages.

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