For applicable materials, the "Poison Inhalation Hazard" placard and the appropriate hazard class placard must always be displayed, even for small amounts of the materials.

Many hazardous materials become more dangerous when exposed to heat. Hazardous materials should be loaded and unloaded away from heat sources.

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

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

The third column of the Hazardous Materials Table lists items' hazard classes and divisions. Drivers should never transport a material that is marked by the word "Forbidden."

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

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

One clue that a shipment may contain hazardous materials is that the shipper is in a line of business that you would expect to involve hazardous materials. Examples of such businesses include paint dealers, chemical supply businesses, or pest control firms.

Cargo tanks remain on a vehicle at all times, regardless of whether or not they are carrying cargo. Portable tanks are bulk packaging and are not permanently attached to a vehicle.

A vehicle with tanks that are used to transport hazardous materials must always be stopped before being driven over railroad tracks, even if the tanks are empty.

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.

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

Transporting hazardous materials can be risky. The regulations are intended to protect you, those around you, and the environment.

Radioactive materials are categorized as Class 7 hazardous materials.

Radiation will surround each package of radioactive materials and pass through to all nearby packages. The number of packages that can be loaded together is controlled.

There are nine different hazard classes. A material's hazard class reflects its associated risks.

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 a road. Such vehicles should be parked only briefly.

Shippers must place diamond-shaped hazard warning labels on most packages of hazardous materials. If the label won't fit on the package, it can be placed on a tag that is securely attached to the package.

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

Carriers and drivers must be able to quickly identify hazardous materials' shipping papers. Shipping papers for hazardous materials should be on the top of a stack of shipping papers.

Flammable liquids should not be transferred from one vehicle to another on a public roadway, unless being moved due to an emergency. Always warn others of the hazards presented by the materials.

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.

The loading and unloading of a tank must be watched by a qualified person. They must be alert; have a clear view of the tank; stay within 25 feet of the tank; know the hazards of the materials involved; know the procedures to follow in an emergency; and be authorized and able to move the tank if necessary.

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

There are nine different classes of hazardous materials. A class reflects the risks associated with a type of material.

You must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement to operate a vehicle of any size to transport hazardous materials.

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.

Shippers must retain a physical copy or an electronic image of hazardous materials shipping papers for a minimum of two years after the materials are accepted by the initial carrier. For hazardous waste, this increases to three years.

Hazardous materials are products that pose risks to health, safety, and property during transportation. Materials that are considered hazardous include explosives; flammable and poisonous gases; and flammable and other hazardous solids.

A vehicle must be properly placarded before it can be driven. A vehicle that does not display the proper placards may not be moved unless doing so is necessary to protect life or property in an emergency.