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.

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.

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.

When transporting hazardous materials, shipping papers should 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 easily visible to anyone who is entering the cab.

When hazardous materials are being transported in a reportable quantity in one package, the shipper must display the letters "RQ" on the shipping paper and package.

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.

A hazardous material will fall into one of nine hazard classes. The material's hazard class reflects its associated risks.

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.

The shipper of hazardous materials is responsible for packaging, marking, and labeling the materials properly. It is a good idea for the driver to ensure the materials are properly labeled.

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.

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

A person attending a placarded vehicle must be awake inside the vehicle or otherwise within 100 feet of the vehicle; know the hazards associated with the materials; know what to do in an emergency; and be able and authorized to move the tank if necessary.

Diamond-shaped warning signs, called "placards," are placed on the outside of a vehicle carrying hazardous materials to serve as a warning.

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.

When marking hazardous materials in an "HM" column on a shipping paper, the letters "RQ" may be used instead of an "X" if a reportable quantity of the material must be identified.

In the event of a cargo fire, you should not open the trailer doors. Doing this could cause the fire to flare up by giving it access to more oxygen.

When transporting hazardous materials, you may leave your vehicle unattended in a safe haven. A safe haven is a location that has been approved for parking unattended vehicles that are loaded with explosives.

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.

The person in charge of loading or unloading a hazardous materials cargo tank must ensure that a qualified person is always supervising the process. The supervisor must be alert; have a clear view of the tank; be within 25 feet of the tank; know the hazards of the involved materials; know the procedures to follow in the case of an emergency; and be authorized to and capable of moving the tank.

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

Brace containers so they will not fall, slide, or bounce around during transportation. All hazardous materials packages must be secured.

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

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

Unless you must run the engine to operate a pump, you should always turn off the engine before loading or unloading flammable liquids.

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.

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 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.

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.

As a resource to police and firefighters, the National Response Center helps coordinate emergency response to chemical hazards.

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