- When the driver feels it is dangerous
- When more than 1,001 lbs is carried
- When more than 2,205 lbs is carried
- When any amount is carried
From The CDL Manual
Placard Tables—
All products that meet the definition of hazardous materials must be placarded at some point. There are two placard tables (see page 95). Table 1 materials must be placarded when any amount is transported.
Except for bulk packagings, the hazard classes in Table 2 are required to be placarded only if the total amount transported is 1,001 pounds or more, including the package. Add the amounts from all shipping papers for all Table 2 products on board.
You may use DANGEROUS placards instead of separate placards for each Table 2 hazard class when:
You have 1,001 pounds or more of two or more Table 2 hazard classes, requiring different placards, and You have not loaded 2,205 pounds or more of any Table 2 hazard class material at any one place. (You must use the specific placard for this material.)
You have 1,001 pounds or more of two or more Table 2 hazard classes, requiring different placards, and You have not loaded 2,205 pounds or more of any Table 2 hazard class material at any one place. (You must use the specific placard for this material.)
- You are carrying any amount
- The shipper deems it appropriate
- You are carrying 1,001 lbs or more
- The shipment weighs over 2,205 lbs
From The CDL Manual
Also see Placard Table 2 - Page 95
Placard Tables—
All products that meet the definition of hazardous materials must be placarded at some point. There are two placard tables (see page 95). Table 1 materials must be placarded when any amount is transported.
Except for bulk packagings, the hazard classes in Table 2 are required to be placarded only if the total amount transported is 1,001 pounds or more, including the package. Add the amounts from all shipping papers for all Table 2 products on board.
You may use DANGEROUS placards instead of separate placards for each Table 2 hazard class when:
You have 1,001 pounds or more of two or more Table 2 hazard classes, requiring different placards, and You have not loaded 2,205 pounds or more of any Table 2 hazard class material at any one place. (You must use the specific placard for this material.)
You have 1,001 pounds or more of two or more Table 2 hazard classes, requiring different placards, and You have not loaded 2,205 pounds or more of any Table 2 hazard class material at any one place. (You must use the specific placard for this material.)
- POISON GAS
- INHALATION HAZARD
- POISON INHALATION HAZARD
- USE ADDITIONAL PLACARDS
From The CDL Manual
If the words INHALATION HAZARD are on the shipping paper or package, you must display POISON INHALATION HAZARD or POISON GAS placards as appropriate, in addition to any other placards needed by the product’s hazard class.
- Never
- It's fine if the leak is small
- When your dispatcher tells you to
- If it's not flammable
From The CDL Manual
Watch for signs of leaking or damaged containers: LEAKS SPELL TROUBLE! Do not transport leaking packages. Depending on the material, you, your truck and others could be in danger.
- You should always set the parking brake
- It is generally OK to load hazardous materials near heat sources
- Hooks can be used if necessary
- It is sometimes OK to transport leaking packages
From The CDL Manual
General Loading Requirements—
Do all you can to protect containers of hazardous materials. Do not use any tools that might damage containers or other packaging during loading. Do not use hooks.
- Before loading or unloading, set the parking brake. Make sure the vehicle will not move.
- Many products become more hazardous when exposed to heat. Load hazardous materials away from heat sources.
- Watch for signs of leaking or damaged containers: LEAKS SPELL TROUBLE! Do not transport leaking packages. Depending on the material, you, your truck and others could be in danger.
- Opened and inspected
- Loaded loose on the floor of the trailer
- Allowed to move freely
- Secured against movement while transporting
From The CDL Manual
Secure Against Movement:
Brace containers so they will not fall, slide or bounce around during transportation. Be very careful when loading containers that have valves or other fittings. All hazardous materials packages must be secured during transportation.
- Open any packages
- Move any packages for any reason
- Travel over 50 mph
- Empty a cargo tank
From The CDL Manual
Packages secured in a vehicle:
Any package containing any hazardous material, not permanently attached to a motor vehicle, must be secured against movement, including relative motion between packages, within the vehicle on which it is being transported, under conditions normally incident to transportation. Packages having valves or other fittings must be loaded in a manner to minimize the likelihood of damage during transportation.
After loading, do not open any package during your trip. Never transfer hazardous materials from one package to another while in transit. You may empty a cargo tank, but do not empty any other package while it is on the vehicle.
- Oxidizers
- Smoking is not permitted near any of these
- Flammable liquids
- Flammable gas
From The CDL Manual
No smoking:
When loading or unloading hazardous materials, keep fire away. Do not let people smoke nearby. Never smoke around:
- Class 1- Explosives
- Division 2.1 - Flammable Gas
- Class 3 - Flammable liquids
- Class 4 - Flammable Solids
- Class 5 - Oxidizers
- Class 1 - Explosives
- Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
- Division 5.1 - Oxidizer
- Division 2.1 - Flammable Gas
From The CDL Manual
Cargo heater rules:
There are special cargo heater rules for loading:
- Class 1- Explosives
- Division 2.1 - Flammable Gas
- Class 3 - Flammable liquids
The rules usually forbid the use of cargo heaters, including automatic cargo heater/air conditioner units. Unless you have read all the related rules, do not load the above products in a cargo space that has a heater.
- Need to be delivered quickly
- Are covered with a water and fire resistant tarp
- Are packaged in small containers
- Cannot reasonably fit into the space
From The CDL Manual
Use closed cargo space:
You cannot have overhang or tailgate loads of:
- Class 1- Explosives
- Class 4 - Flammable Solids
- Class 5 - Oxidizers
You must load these hazardous materials into a closed cargo space unless all packages are:
Fire and water resistant, or
Covered with a fire and water resistant tarp.