So I hauled my first hazmat load today

Lock on rear doors?
Two load locks?

And does HM now require Tanker endorsement?

Mike

 

49 CFR 177.817 says nothing about a plastic pouch.
If I get a green on my pre pass I just bipass
the scales in Arizona and Cali. I drive hazmat everyday.

But don't take my word for it folks. I've probably been doing it wrong this whole time, which is normal.

 

I was following behind one of those Napa boys coming up to the first scale/agricultural stop on 75 south just into FL. Double placard and he rolls right by the scale. Surprisingly, see that all the time.

 

Just curious as I'm a HM virgin as well, when you call in to confirm your routes how smooth is that system? Does it take an hour or two of sitting on hold?
This is actually the first time I've heard of that being a requirement for hazmat loads, I always thought you'd just pay attention to the signs that say NO HM.

 

I do the same thing. In Arkansas too. Never been stopped.

 

Call who now?

 

Ah I just reread his post.
When he said he verified his route I for some reason thought he meant that he had to call in to get approved for routing similar to oversize loads and permits.

That's my mistake ha

 

The way I overheard the conversation was this was something "new", (bills in waterproof pouch and in the door holder) and that it was a CMV cop somewhere who informed him of this during a Level III. But you know how these things are.

I've spent an hour looking online and can't find anything related to this matter. But when you think about it, consider a roll-over crash. If the bills are "just laying around anywhere within the driver's reach", they may end up in the sleeper and might be in amongst a host of other "papers" that the driver may have had in the passenger seat. And if the cab ended up on it's side in a heavy rain with no windows, critical papers may get too wet to be legible, if they can even be found..

 

Nope, no phone calls required.

 

Wow

OK OP, here are a couple things -

remember your routing is simple to figure out, there is a list of restricted roads in the road atlas, use it. If you don't have one, get one. Most cities that have bypasses will route you onto them.

Most of the time you will get signs before the city or road, there are some exceptions.

The other thing is always - not be nice about this - always ask for extra placards. Even if you don't need them, keep them for spares. The shipper is supposed to give you them and if they don't, call the company and tell them that you can't take the load. DO NOT offer to use your spares unless they are regular customers you work with. I've hauled a lot of Hazmat and one or twice a week I would have to replace a placard.

Oh a couple other things, your ER book, keep it "book marked" with the paper work. I used to keep the hazmat paperwork on the clip board with the book right on top, I would not put it into the pocket because If I opened the door on a wet/windy day, I had issues with the paper work getting wet. My driver got nailed by the Ohio DOT for putting them in plastic envelope which was obvious that you could read it but nevertheless they didn't like it - I always had issues with Ohio.

I know many make a 'big deal" about Hazmat, it isn't hard to deal with. Many many drivers do this every day and it can be an easy buck.