Information about hazardous chemicals is found in the Emergency Response Guide (ERG) provided by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The ERG is indexed by the proper shipping names and identification numbers of substances.

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.

When a shipper packages hazardous materials, they certify that the package has been prepared according to Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). Unless a package is clearly unsafe or noncomplying with HMR, you may accept the shipper’s certification concerning the proper packaging of a material.

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

If a shipping paper includes information about both hazardous and non-hazardous materials, the hazardous items must be clearly identified on the paper. They may be entered first, highlighted in a contrasting color, or identified with an "X" placed before the shipping description.

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.

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.

Unless your engine runs a pump for product transfer, turn it off when loading or unloading a compressed gas tank. If you do use your engine to run a pump, you should turn the engine off after the product transfer but before unhooking the hoses.

When experiencing a cargo fire, it may be a bad idea to open the doors to the trailer. Doing so allows oxygen to enter the area, potentially causing the fire to flare up and expand.

Shippers of hazardous materials are required to warn drivers and others about the risks of the materials by putting hazard warning labels on packages, putting placards on the transporting vehicles, and providing proper shipping papers and emergency response information.

Hazardous materials warning placards are usually diamond-shaped.

A person attending a parked placarded vehicle must be either awake inside the vehicle or they must be within 100 feet of it. If not inside the vehicle itself, the person must have a clear view of the vehicle. The person attending may not be inside the sleeper berth.

When applying for an original or renewed HazMat endorsement, you must undergo a federal security threat assessment done by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Packages that contain liquid containers must have orientation markers. Arrows displayed on the box should be pointing in the correct upright direction.

The National Response Center must be notified of any incident that results in death; hospitalization; $50,000 or more in estimated property damage; an evacuation of the general public or closure of a major transportation route/facility for more then one hour; fire, breakage, spillage, or suspected contamination involving radiation, bacteria, or toxins. Additionally, if the carrier judges the situation to be so serious that it should be reported, it should be reported.

The National Response Center helps coordinate emergency response to chemical hazards. It should be contacted in the event of a hazardous materials spill.

If you discover that a cargo of hazardous materials is leaking from your vehicle, you should park the vehicle as soon as possible. The longer you continue driving, the longer the trail of contamination becomes. While this creates potential danger and harm to others, it also increases clean-up expenses.

Shippers of hazardous materials are required to include an emergency response telephone number on shipping papers.

If you discover a leak in a cargo of hazardous materials, identify the materials in question by using the shipping papers, labels, or package location. Do not touch the leaking material.

If you discover a cargo leak while transporting hazardous materials, use the shipping papers, label, or package location to identify which materials are involved. Do not try to touch or smell the leaking materials to determine what they are because doing so could result in injury or death.

Packaging can be an indicator of whether or not materials are hazardous. Cylinders and drums are often used to hold and transport hazardous materials.

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.

While hazardous materials are being transported, shipping papers should either be kept in a pouch in the driver's side door or in another location where the driver is able to easily reach them while their seat belt is fastened. The papers must be clearly visible to anyone who is entering the cab.

Hazardous materials warning placards are diamond-shaped.

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.

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

If a driver stops and exits their vehicle, the hazardous materials shipping papers must be left on the driver's seat.

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.

To drive a vehicle of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials, you must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement.