New! High Road 2.0! We have a new version of this program. You can find it here: High Road 2.0

Hazardous Materials Table

Figure 9-4 shows part of the Hazardous Materials Table. Column 1 tells which shipping mode(s) the entry affects and other information concerning the shipping description. The next five columns show each materialʼs shipping name, hazard class, ID number, packing group and required labels.

Figure 9-4
Part of Hazardous Materials Table

Symbols
(1)		 Hazardous Materials Desriptions And Proper Shipping Names
(2)		 Hazard Class or Division (3) Identification Numbers
(4)		 PG
(5)		 Label Codes
(6)		 Special Provisions
(7)		 (8)
Packaging Authorizations
(8A) | (8B) | (8C)
G Toxic Solids, Self heating, N.O.S. 6.1 UN 3124 1 6.1, 4.2 A5, T6, TP33 None | 211 | 242

Column 1

Six different symbols may appear in Column 1:

  • (+) Fixes the proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group to use, even if the material does not meet the hazard class definition
  • (A) Means the hazardous material described in Column 2 is subject to the HMR only when offered or intended for transport by air unless it is a hazardous substance or hazardous waste.
  • (W) Means the hazardous material described in Column 2 is subject to the HMR only when offered or intended for transportation by water unless it is a hazardous substance, hazardous waste.
  • (D) Means the proper shipping name is appropriate for describing materials for domestic transportation, but may not be proper for international transportation.
  • (I) Identifies a proper shipping name that is used to describe materials in international transportation. A different shipping name may be used when only domestic transportation is involved.
  • (G) Identifies the proper shipping names for which one or more technical names of the hazardous material must be entered in parentheses in association with the basic description.

Column 2

Lists the proper shipping names and descriptions of regulated materials. Entries are in alphabetical order so you can more quickly find the right entry. Use the name of the material from the shipping paper. The table shows proper shipping names in Roman type. The shipping paper must show proper shipping names. Names shown in italics are not proper shipping names.

Column 3

Shows a materialʼs hazard class or division, or the entry “Forbidden.” Never transport a “Forbidden” material. Placard shipments are based on the quantity and hazard class. You can decide which placards to use if you know these three things:

  • Materialʼs hazard class.
  • Amount being shipped.
  • Amount of all hazardous materials of all classes on your vehicle.

Column 4

Lists the identification number for each proper shipping name. Identification numbers are preceded by the letters “UN” or “NA.” The letters “NA” are associated with proper shipping names used only within the United States and to and from Canada. The identification number must appear on the shipping paper as part of the shipping description and also appear on the package. It also must appear on cargo tanks and other bulk packaging. Police and firefighters use this number to quickly identify the hazardous materials.

Column 5

Shows the packaging group assigned to a material.

Column 6

Shows the hazard warning label codes shippers must use to determine the proper labels for packages of hazardous materials. Some products require more than one label due to a subsidiary hazard being present. The first label code represents the primary hazard of the material. No label is needed where the table shows the word NONE.

Column 7

Lists the additional (special) provisions that apply to this material. When there is an entry in this column, refer to Section 172.102 of the federal regulations for specific information.

Column 8

A three-part column showing the section numbers covering the exceptions, non-bulk packaging and bulk packaging requirements for each hazardous material.

NOTE: Columns 9 and 10 do not apply to transportation by highway.

Appendix A to §172.101–Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities:

DOT and EPA need to know about any spills of hazardous substances named in the List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities (see Figure 9-5). Column 2 shows each productʼs reportable quantity (RQ). When these materials are being transported in a reportable quantity or greater in one package, the shipper displays the letters RQ on the shipping paper and package. The letters RQ may appear before or after the basic description. You or your employer must report any spill of these materials that occurs in a reportable quantity.

Figure 9-5
Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities

If the words POISON INHALATION or TOXIC INHALATION HAZARD appear on the shipping paper, package or label, the rules require that the transport vehicle be placarded with a POISON INHALATION HAZARD or POISON GAS placard, as appropriate. These placards must be used in addition to other placards that may be required by the productʼs hazard class. INHALATION HAZARD materials always require the appropriate placard, even for small amounts of these materials.

Test Your Knowledge

  • Shippers package in order to (fill in the blank) the material.
  • Drivers placard their vehicle to (fill in the blank) the risk.
  • What three things do you need to know to decide which placards (if any) you need?
  • A hazardous materials ID number must appear on the (fill in the blank) and on the (fill in the blank). The identification number also must appear on cargo tanks and other bulk packagings.
  • What is outage?
  • What is the minimum tread depth for front tires?
  • Where must you keep shipping papers describing hazardous materials?

Study sections 9.1 through 9.9 if you can't answer all of these questions.

You'll need to familiarize yourself with what each column stands for on the Hazardous Materials Table.
Make sure you're familiar with the below symbols as they are sometimes referenced on the written exam.
The below list should be memorized. Knowing these three things is the only way to know which placards to place on your vehicle.
You must know that identification numbers are preceded by the letters "UN" or "NA" as this is often asked about on the written exam.
Remember: If you are hauling a poison inhalation or toxic inhalation hazard, you must have the appropriate placards displayed no matter what amount of material is being hauled. This is in addition to any other placards which are required.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Shipper:

The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...

Which of the following do you have to know in order to place the correct placards on your vehicle?
  • Drivers need to know all of these things in order to place the correct placards on the vehicle
  • Amount being shipped
  • Amount of all hazardous materials of all classes on your vehicle
  • Material's hazard class

Quote From The CDL Manual:

You can decide which placards to use if you know these three things:

  • Material's hazard class.
  • Amount being shipped.
  • Amount of all hazardous materials of all classes on your vehicle.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

While a shipper will supply you with placards to place on your truck, you must verify they are giving you the proper placards. If you place the incorrect placards on the truck, you will be the one responsible for any citations received.

Next
If the words POISON INHALATION or TOXIC INHALATION HAZARD appear on the shipping paper, package or label, you must:
  • Use a "dangerous" placard in addition to the placards required by the products hazard class
  • Use a brightly colored banner that says "POISON" above the required placards
  • Use poison placards in addition to other placards that may be required by the products hazard class
  • Use poison placards in place of placards required by the products hazard class

Quote From The CDL Manual:

If the words POISON INHALATION or TOXIC INHALATION HAZARD appear on the shipping paper, package or label, the rules require that the transport vehicle be placarded with a POISON INHALATION HAZARD or POISON GAS placard, as appropriate. These placards must be used in addition to other placards that may be required by the product's hazard class. INHALATION HAZARD materials always require the appropriate placard, even for small amounts of these materials.

Prev
Next
DOT and EPA need to know about any spills named in:
  • The List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities
  • The hazardous materials handbook
  • The HAZMAT protection guide
  • The official list of environmentally dangerous chemicals

Quote From The CDL Manual:

DOT and EPA need to know about any spills of hazardous substances named in the List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities. When these materials are being transported in a reportable quantity or greater in one package, the shipper displays the letters RQ on the shipping paper and package. The letters RQ may appear before or after the basic description. You or your employer must report any spill of these materials that occurs in a reportable quantity.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

Unless there is an immediate life or property threatening emergency, your employer should be the first contact when a hazardous materials spill is detected. Employers are usually well versed in the proper actions that need to be taken and the proper authorities to contact.

Prev
Finish
Please select an option
[1,3,1]
3
Page 64:
Hazardous Materials Labels And Placards
Page 65
Page 66:
Hazardous Materials Shipping Papers

Click Anywhere To Close

Join Us!

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • The High Road Training Program
  • The High Road Article Series
  • The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
  • Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Register Learn More

Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth

Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:

Apply For Paid CDL Training

About Us

TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.

Read More

Becoming A Truck Driver

Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream we've all pondered at some point in our lives. We've all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives we've always known. At TruckingTruth we'll help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.

Learn More