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9.6 Hazardous Materials - Driving & Parking (continued from previous page)

No Smoking

Do not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded cargo tank used for Class 3 (flammable liquids) or Division 2.1 (gases). Also, do not smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe within 25 feet of any vehicle that contains:

  • Class 1 explosives
  • Class 2.1 flammable gas
  • Class 3 flammable liquids
  • Class 4.1 flammable solids
  • Class 4.2 spontaneously combustible
  • Class 5 oxidizers

Refuel With Engine Off

Turn off the engine before fueling a motor vehicle containing hazardous materials. Someone must always be at the nozzle controlling fuel flow.

A 10 B:C Fire Extinguisher

The power unit of placarded vehicles must have a fire extinguisher with a UL rating of 10 B:C or more.

Check Tires

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Check placarded vehicles with dual tires at the start of each trip and when ever you park. You must examine each tire at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked. The only acceptable way to check tire pressure is to use a tire pressure gauge.

Do not drive with a tire that is leaking or flat except to the nearest safe place to repair it. Remove any overheated tire. Place it a safe distance from your vehicle. Do not drive until you correct the cause of the overheating. Remember to follow the rules about parking and attending placarded vehicles. They apply even when checking, repairing or replacing tires.

Displaying Shipping Papers and Emergency Response Information

Do not accept a hazardous materials shipment without a properly prepared shipping paper. A shipping paper for hazardous material must always be easily recognized. Other people must be able to find it quickly after an accident.

  • Clearly distinguish hazardous material shipping papers from others by tabbing them or keeping them on top of the stack of papers.
  • When you are behind the wheel, keep shipping papers within your reach (with your seat belt on) or in a pouch on the driverʼs door. They must be easily seen by someone entering the cab.
  • When not behind the wheel, leave shipping papers in the driverʼs door pouch or on the driverʼs seat.
  • Emergency response information must be kept in the same location as the shipping paper.

Papers for Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 Explosives

A carrier must give each driver transporting Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (Class A or B) explosives a copy of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), Part 397. The carrier also must give written instructions on what to do if delayed or in an accident. The written instructions must include:

  • Names and telephone numbers of people to contact (including carrier agents or shippers).
  • Nature of the explosives transported.
  • Precautions to take in emergencies such as fires, accidents, or leaks.

Drivers must sign a receipt for these documents.

  • Shipping papers.
  • Written emergency instructions.
  • Written route plan.
  • Copy of FMCSR, Part 397.

Equipment for Chlorine

A driver transporting chlorine in cargo tanks must have an approved gas mask in the vehicle. The driver also must have an emergency kit for controlling leaks in dome cover plate fittings on the cargo tank.

Stop Before Railroad Crossings

Stop before a railroad crossing if your vehicle:

  • Is placarded; or
  • Carries any amount of chlorine; or
  • Has cargo tanks, whether loaded or empty, used for hazardous material.

You must stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail. Proceed only when you are sure no train is coming. Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks.

You really don't need to memorize this list. If asked on the written exam, you should never smoke within 25 feet of any hazardous materials or placarded vehicles (including the drivers seat).
This may come up on the written exam. The type of fire extinguisher required on vehicles carrying placarded materials should be memorized.

There are two things you should memorize from this paragraph:

  • You must examine each tire at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked (pay attention to the bolded wording).
  • The only acceptable way to check tire pressure is to use a tire pressure gauge.

Once again, this is a very important paragraph. Remember:

  • An overheated tire must be removed and placed a safe distance away from your vehicle.
  • Do not drive until you correct the cause of the overheating tire.
The below list should be memorized! It's crucial that you know where to keep hazardous material shipping papers. These rules not only need to be known for the written exam, but they are strictly enforced in the real world as well.
You should definitely memorize this. A question about stopping at railroad tracks comes up very often on written exams. So remember, you must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail.

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.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

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

While driving a placarded vehicle and a tire overheats, what should you do?
  • Immediately call the emergency response number you were supplied with
  • Remove any overheated tire and place it a safe distance from the vehicle
  • Use water to prevent a fire
  • Use a fire extinguisher to cool it

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Remove any overheated tire. Place it a safe distance from your vehicle. Do not drive until you correct the cause of the overheating. Remember to follow the rules about parking and attending placarded vehicles. They apply even when checking, repairing or replacing tires.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

While in the real-world you probably won't ever have the capability to remove an overheating tire yourself, you can help prevent any overheating issues in the first place by making sure all tires are in proper working condition and properly inflated. An overheating tire can be extremely dangerous, especially with hazardous materials in close proximity.

Next
If you are carrying a placarded hazardous materials load and approach a railroad crossing, you must:
  • Stop 75 to 100 feet from the nearest rail
  • None of these answers are correct
  • Stop 50 to 75 feet from the nearest rail
  • Stop 25 to 50 feet from the nearest rail

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Stop before a railroad crossing if your vehicle:

  • Is placarded; or
  • Carries any amount of chlorine; or
  • Has cargo tanks, whether loaded or empty, used for hazardous materials. You must stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail. Proceed only when you are sure no train is coming. Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks.
Prev
Next
How often do tires need to be checked on a placarded vehicle?
  • At the beginning of each trip and every 250 miles thereafter
  • At the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked
  • At the beginning of each trip and every 150 miles thereafter
  • At the beginning and end of each trip

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Check placarded vehicles with dual tires at the start of each trip and when ever you park. You must examine each tire at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked. The only acceptable way to check tire pressure is to use a tire pressure gauge.

Do not drive with a tire that is leaking or flat except to the nearest safe place to repair it. Remove any overheated tire. Place it a safe distance from your vehicle. Do not drive until you correct the cause of the overheating. Remember to follow the rules about parking and attending placarded vehicles. They apply even when checking, repairing or replacing tires.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

Every time you stop, you should make a not in your logbook indicating you checked the tires.

Prev
Next
When transporting division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, the carrier must provide a driver with instructions that include which of the following?
  • Nature of the explosives transported
  • All of these must be included
  • Names and telephone numbers of people to contact (including carrier agents or shippers)
  • Precautions to take in emergencies such as fires, accidents, or leaks

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Papers for Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 Explosives A carrier must give each driver transporting Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 (Class A or B) explosives a copy of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), Part 397. The carrier also must give written instructions on what to do if delayed or in an accident. The written instructions must include:

  • Names and telephone numbers of people to contact (including carrier agents or shippers).
  • Nature of the explosives transported.
  • Precautions to take in emergencies such as fires, accidents, or leaks.

Drivers must sign a receipt for these documents.

You must be familiar with and have in your possession while driving:

  • Shipping papers.
  • Written emergency instructions.
  • Written route plan.
  • Copy of FMCSR, Part 397.
Prev
Next
What type of fire extinguisher must placarded vehicles carry?
  • UL rating of 10 B:C or more
  • Any B:C fire extinguisher is acceptable
  • Any A:B fire extinguisher is acceptable
  • UL rating of 5 B:C or more

Quote From The CDL Manual:

A 10 B:C Fire Extinguisher - The power unit of placarded vehicles must have a fire extinguisher with a UL rating of 10 B:C or more.

Prev
Next
When not in the vehicle, where should hazardous material shipping papers be kept?
  • In the front glove box
  • On the driver's seat
  • Taped to the steering wheel
  • On the dashboard

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Do not accept a hazardous materials shipment without a properly prepared shipping paper. A shipping paper for hazardous material must always be easily recognized. Other people must be able to find it quickly after an accident.

  • Clearly distinguish hazardous material shipping papers from others by tabbing them or keeping them on top of the stack of papers.
  • When you are behind the wheel, keep shipping papers within your reach (with your seat belt on) or in a pouch on the driver's door. They must be easily seen by someone entering the cab.
  • When not behind the wheel, leave shipping papers in the driver's door pouch or on the driver's seat.
  • Emergency response information must be kept in the same location as the shipping paper.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

It's good practice to keep hazardous materials shipping papers in the drivers side door pocket. This area is acceptable not only while driving, but also while parked.

Prev
Next
Where should emergency response information be kept?
  • In a locked fireproof safety box
  • In the same location as the shipping paper
  • In the front glove box
  • In the trailer with the product

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Emergency response information must be kept in the same location as the shipping paper.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

Law enforcement officers will randomly check placarded vehicles to be sure they are carrying emergency response information and that it is kept with the shipping paper, so be diligent about this.

Prev
Next
When checking tire pressure on a hazardous materials vehicle, you must:
  • Use a tire pressure gauge on the drive tires
  • Use a tire pressure gauge on all tires
  • Use a tire pressure gauge on the steer tires
  • Use a tire pressure gauge on the trailer tires

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Check placarded vehicles with dual tires at the start of each trip and when ever you park. You must examine each tire at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked. The only acceptable way to check tire pressure is to use a tire pressure gauge.

Do not drive with a tire that is leaking or flat except to the nearest safe place to repair it. Remove any overheated tire. Place it a safe distance from your vehicle. Do not drive until you correct the cause of the overheating. Remember to follow the rules about parking and attending placarded vehicles. They apply even when checking, repairing or replacing tires.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

On placarded vehicles, you may not use a tire thumper to determine safe air pressure. A gauge must be used.

Prev
Next
While transporting a placarded load, you must stop how many feet before a railroad crossing?
  • 50 to 100 feet
  • 10 to 20 feet
  • 25 to 75 feet
  • 15 to 50 feet

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Stop before a railroad crossing if your vehicle:

  • Is placarded; or
  • Carries any amount of chlorine; or
  • Has cargo tanks, whether loaded or empty, used for hazardous materials. You must stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail. Proceed only when you are sure no train is coming. Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

If there is a sign on the railroad crossing that says "exempt" or "abandoned" you do not need to stop but should still slow down and cross with caution.

Prev
Next
When behind the wheel, where must hazardous material shipping papers be kept?
  • In a fire proof box such as a small safe
  • Within reach of the driver
  • Under the passenger seat
  • In the front glove box

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Do not accept a hazardous materials shipment without a properly prepared shipping paper. A shipping paper for hazardous material must always be easily recognized. Other people must be able to find it quickly after an accident.

  • Clearly distinguish hazardous material shipping papers from others by tabbing them or keeping them on top of the stack of papers.
  • When you are behind the wheel, keep shipping papers within your reach (with your seat belt on) or in a pouch on the driver's door. They must be easily seen by someone entering the cab.
  • When not behind the wheel, leave shipping papers in the driver's door pouch or on the driver's seat.
  • Emergency response information must be kept in the same location as the shipping paper.

TruckingTruth's Advice:

It's good practice to keep hazardous materials shipping papers in the drivers side door pocket. This area is acceptable not only while driving, but also while parked.

Prev
Next
At what distance are you prohibited from smoking near a placarded cargo tank used for class 3 flammable liquids?
  • Within 75 feet
  • Within 25 feet
  • Within 50 feet
  • Within 10 feet

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Do not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded cargo tank used for Class 3 (flammable liquids) or Division 2.1 (gases). Also, do not smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe within 25 feet of any vehicle that contains:

  • Class 1 explosives
  • Class 2.1 flammable gas
  • Class 3 flammable liquids
  • Class 4.1 flammable solids
  • Class 4.2 spontaneously combustible
  • Class 5 oxidizers

TruckingTruth's Advice:

The cab of the truck, both inside and out, is considered part of the placarded vehicle, so no smoking is allowed by the driver of the vehicle while in the cab.

Prev
Next
When refueling a motor vehicle containing hazardous materials:
  • Someone must remain within 50 feet of the vehicle
  • The vehicle must remain in sight of the driver
  • Someone must remain inside the vehicle
  • Someone must always be at the nozzle controlling the flow

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Refuel With Engine Off - Turn off the engine before fueling a motor vehicle containing hazardous materials. Someone must always be at the nozzle controlling fuel flow.

Prev
Next
If a cargo tank is used for hazardous materials, you must stop at all railroad crossings when:
  • Cargo tanks must always stop at railroad crossing whether loaded or empty
  • The load requires hazardous material placards
  • There is more than 1,001 pounds of hazardous material loaded into the cargo tank
  • Cargo tanks are exempt from stopping at railroad crossing

Quote From The CDL Manual:

Stop before a railroad crossing if your vehicle:

  • Is placarded; or
  • Carries any amount of chlorine; or
  • Has cargo tanks, whether loaded or empty, used for hazardous materials. You must stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail. Proceed only when you are sure no train is coming. Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks.
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