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

Column 2 of the Hazardous Materials Table lists the proper shipping names and descriptions of regulated materials.

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.

When loading hazardous materials, do not use hooks or tools that could damage containers or other packaging.

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

Always turn off your vehicle's engine before loading or unloading explosive materials. Never drop, throw, or roll packages containing explosives.

The shipper of hazardous materials is responsible for identifying the product's identification number; proper shipping name; hazard class; packing group; and correct packaging, labels, marking, and placards.

If your vehicle breaks down on the road while you are transporting explosive materials, you must warn other drivers. Put out warning signals like reflective triangles or electric lights if you are carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives. Do the same if you are driving a tank used to transport Class 3 flammable liquids or Division 2.1 flammable gases, even if the tank is empty. If transporting flammable materials, do not use warning signals that could cause your cargo to catch fire.

When hazardous materials placards are required, a vehicle must display four identical placards. A placard should be placed on the front, on the rear, and on both sides of the vehicle.

Shippers of hazardous cargo must alert drivers and others to relevant hazards through proper shipping papers, hazard warning labels on packages, emergency response information, and placards.

You should examine your tires at the beginning of every trip and after every stop to ensure that they are properly inflated. The only acceptable way to check tire pressure is to use a tire pressure gauge.

If the words "Inhalation Hazard" appear on a package or its shipping paper, the "Poison Inhalation Hazard" or "Poison Gas" placards, as appropriate, must be displayed.

You must examine each tire on a motor vehicle at the beginning of each trip. The only effective way to check tire pressure is by using a tire pressure gauge.

Packages containing liquid containers should display arrows pointing in the correct upright direction. These packages should be placed facing the correct direction.

Before loading or unloading a tank with flammable liquids, you should turn off the engine, unless running the engine is necessary to operate a pump. Ground the tank before opening the filling hole and maintain the ground until after closing the filling hole.

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

The power unit of a placarded vehicle must be equipped with a fire extinguisher with an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rating of 10 B:C or more.

The emergency response information for a cargo of hazardous materials must include details about risks of fire or explosion associated with the materials.

Class 1 hazardous materials are typically items that present certain explosion or fire hazards.

When a shipper packages hazardous materials, they are certifying that the package has been prepared in accordance with its applicable rules.

If a hazardous materials label will not fit on a package, it may be placed on a tag that is securely attached to the package.

If the letter “G,” for "Generic," is written in Column 1 of a shipping paper, the technical name of the associated hazardous material must also be listed.

Hazardous materials warning placards must be used on all four sides of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials.

Among other requirements, hazardous materials placards must be placed at least three inches away from any other markings; away from ladders or other attachments or devices; on backgrounds of contrasting color; and upright, with words or numbers level and reading left to right.

Hazardous materials employees must be trained and tested at least once every three years. Drivers must learn the risks associated with hazardous materials and be able to properly respond to security threats.

Nitric acid should not be stacked above any other product. Containers of nitric acid may be stacked, but no higher than two containers high.

Due to the risks involved, government on federal, state, and local levels may impose regulations on the transportation of hazardous materials. These regulations exist to protect the driver, others near the vehicle, and the environment.

A person should not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded tank that is used to transport Class 3 (flammable liquids) or Division 2.1 (gases) materials. Additionally, no person should smoke or carry a lit cigar, cigarette, or pipe within 25 feet of any vehicle containing Class 1 (explosives), Class 4 (flammable solids), or Class 4.2 (spontaneously combustible).

The use of cargo heaters is not always permitted. When transporting materials that are categorized as Class 1 (Explosives), Class 2.1 (Flammable Gas), or Class 3 (Flammable Liquids) materials, heaters are generally prohibited.

If transporting any amount of chlorine, a driver must always stop at a railroad crossing 15 to 50 feet from the nearest track.