- Clearly distinguish hazardous material shipping papers from others by tabbing them or keeping them on top of the stack of papers
- Leave shipping papers in the driver’s door pouch or on the driver’s seat when not in the vehicle
- The driver should put them in his/her pocket when leaving the vehicle
- When you are behind the wheel, keep shipping papers within your reach
From The CDL Manual
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 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.
- The nature of the explosives being transported
- Written instructions in the event of an accident or delay
- The carrier is responsible for providing all of these things to the driver
- A copy of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), Part 397
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.
- Shipping papers
- Copy of FMCSR, Part 397
- Written route plan and emergency instructions
- You must have all of these things
From The CDL Manual
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.
- A hazmat suit
- A safety net
- A gas mask
- Rubber boots
From The CDL Manual
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.
- Turn around and avoid them entirely
- Come to a complete stop before crossing
- Get a police escort to cross
- Cross as quickly as possible without stopping
From The CDL Manual
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 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.
- The shipper doesn't have time to redo everything
- In an emergency, response personnel use that information to respond correctly
- The driver should just be able to concentrate on driving
- Accuracy is a desirable goal
From The CDL Manual
Emergency Response Guidebook —
The Department of Transportation has an Emergency Response Guidebook for firefighters, police and industry workers on how to protect themselves and the public from hazardous materials.
The guide is indexed by proper shipping name and hazardous materials identification number. Emergency personnel can obtain these things from the shipping paper. That is why it is vital that the proper ID number, shipping name, label and placards are correct.
- Leave his or her truck and get as far away as possible
- Make sure to give emergency responders the shipping papers and emergency response information
- Try to keep people away from the scene
- If safe to do so, limit the spread of the material
From The CDL Manual
Accidents/Incidents —
As a professional driver, your job at the scene of an accident is to:
- Keep people away from the scene.
- Limit the spread of material, only if you can safely do so.
- Communicate the danger of the hazardous materials to emergency response personnel.
- Provide emergency responders with the shipping papers and emergency response information.
- Warn others of the danger
- Make sure you keep shipping papers with you
- Call your employer for instructions
- Send for help
From The CDL Manual
Accidents/Incidents —
As a professional driver, your job at the scene of an accident is to:
- Keep people away from the scene.
- Limit the spread of material, only if you can safely do so.
- Communicate the danger of the hazardous materials to emergency response personnel.
- Provide emergency responders with the shipping papers and emergency response information.
Follow this checklist:
- Check to see that your driving partner is OK.
- Keep shipping papers with you.
- Keep people far away and upwind.
- Warn others of the danger.
- Send for help.
- Follow your employer’s instructions.
- Make sure that they are unlocked
- Open them as wide as possible
- Open them a small amount to let air in
- Do not open them
From The CDL Manual
When you discover a fire, send someone for help. You may use the fire extinguisher to keep minor truck fires from spreading to cargo before firefighters arrive. Feel trailer doors to see if they are hot before opening them. If hot, you may have a cargo fire and should not open the doors.
Opening doors lets air in and may make the fire flare up. Without air, many fires only smolder until firemen arrive, doing less damage. If your cargo is already on fire, it is not safe to fight the fire. Keep the shipping papers with you to give to emergency personnel as soon as they arrive. Warn other people of the danger and keep them away.
- You should never fight hazmat fires
- Put out the cargo fire first
- Use two fire extinguishers
- Call emergency personnel first
From The CDL Manual
Fires —
You might have to control minor truck fires on the road. However, unless you have the training and equipment to do so safely, do not fight hazardous material fires. Dealing with hazardous material fires requires special training and protective gear.