Hazardous materials warning placards are diamond-shaped.

When required, hazardous materials placards must be placed on the front, rear, and both sides of a vehicle.

Containers of hazardous materials should be braced so they will not fall, slide, or bounce around during transportation.

On a compressed gas tank, liquid discharge valves must always be kept closed, except during loading and unloading.

Shippers package hazardous materials in a way that is meant to completely contain the materials. Vehicles should be placarded to communicate the risk of the cargo.

Shippers should place applicable diamond-shaped hazard warning labels on hazardous materials packages. If a label will not fit entirely onto a package, shippers may instead place the label on a tag that is securely attached to the package.

If you are experiencing a truck fire, you should not attempt to open trailer doors without first feeling the doors to see if they are hot. If the doors are hot, there may be a cargo fire. In this case, leave the doors closed because opening the doors could worsen the fire by supplying it with more oxygen.

One clue that a shipment may contain hazardous materials is that the shipper is in a line of business that involves such materials. Examples include paint dealers; chemical suppliers; scientific supply houses; pest control businesses; agricultural supply firms; and dealers in explosives, munitions, or fireworks.

It is a driver's responsibility to refuse packages or shipments of hazardous materials if they contain leaks.

Always load hazardous materials away from heat sources. Be aware of regulations on explosive or flammable materials that prohibit them from being loaded in cargo spaces with heaters.

A hazardous material will be placed into one of nine classes to explain the type of risks associated with the material.

Always protect containers of hazardous materials. When loading hazardous materials, never use equipment that could damage containers or packaging, such as hooks.

If you are involved in an accident while carrying hazardous materials, it is your responsibility as the driver to keep people away from the scene; limit the spread of material if you can safely do so; inform emergency response personnel of the dangers posed by the materials; and provide emergency personnel with the shipping papers and emergency response information. Unless you have protective equipment and the necessary training, do not try to fight hazardous materials fires yourself.

Cylinders and drums are often used to contain hazardous materials. Be sure to take the proper precautions if transporting a cargo of hazardous materials.

You must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement to drive a vehicle of any size that is used for transporting hazardous materials.

Unless excepted, hazardous materials shipping papers must list an emergency response telephone number.

The shipper of hazardous materials is responsible for packaging, marking, and labeling the materials. They must supply the warning placards.

If you are experiencing a truck fire, you should not attempt to open trailer doors without first feeling the doors to see if they are hot. If the doors are hot, there may be a cargo fire. Leave the doors closed if there is a cargo fire.

Shippers of hazardous materials are required to provide proper shipping papers to communicate the risks of the materials.

It is always a good idea to compare package markings and labels to accompanying shipping papers. Always make sure the shipper has displayed the correct basic description on the shipping paper and has provided the proper labels on the packages.

To determine which placards need to be used, you must know the hazard class of the materials being shipped, the amount of hazardous materials being shipped, and the total weight of all hazardous materials in your vehicle.

Diamond-shaped signs called placards are placed on bulk packages and on the outside of vehicles to warn drivers and others of the presence of hazardous materials. It is the responsibility of the shipper to place the placards, and it is the responsibility of the driver to verify that the correct placards have been placed.

When carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, you should not park within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building, unless you are parking for a short period of time while performing an operational necessity, like refueling.

Except when parking briefly to perform necessary functions for vehicle operation (such as refueling), never park a vehicle carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives within 300 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or building. Never park such a vehicle within five feet of the traveled portion of the road.

In general, vehicles carrying hazardous materials are required to display diamond-shaped warning signs on all four sides. These warning signs are called "placards."

If you need to refuel a vehicle carrying hazardous materials, you must first turn off the engine. While refueling, someone must be at the nozzle and controlling the fuel flow at all times.

Hazardous materials warning placards are usually diamond-shaped.

Many hazardous materials classified as poisonous are also flammable.

A vehicle that lacks the proper placards for any hazardous materials on board may not be driven, except as necessary to protect life and property in an emergency.

A placard must be placed at least three inches away from any other markings. The placard should be kept clear of attachments or devices, such as doors and ladders. Placards should always be placed against a background of a contrasting color.