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.

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

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.

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.

Because of the risks presented by the nature of the materials, government on federal, state, and local levels may impose regulations on the transportation of hazardous materials.

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.

The loading of a tank with hazardous materials must always be watched by a qualified person. This person must be alert; have a clear view of the tank; stay within 25 feet of the tank; 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.

To obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, you must pass a security check conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Many products classed as poison are also flammable. Take the appropriate precautions if you think your cargo may be flammable.

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.

If you are transporting radioactive material and believe there is a leak or broken package in your cargo, you should tell your dispatcher or supervisor as quickly as possible. Do not touch or inhale the material. Do not use the vehicle until it has been cleaned or checked with a survey meter.

While the manual contains all of the information needed to pass the written exam for a hazardous materials endorsement, it does not contain all of the information necessary to do the job safely. You can learn more by attending hazardous materials training courses.

When the vehicle is being driven, hazardous materials' shipping papers must be kept in a pouch on the driver's door or somewhere else that is in clear view and within the driver's reach. If the driver is outside of the vehicle, the shipping papers should be kept on the driver's seat.

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

Hazardous materials placards are placed on the outside of a vehicle to identify the hazard classes of materials being carried.

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 a vehicle is required to have hazardous materials placards, at least four identical placards must be displayed. These placards must be placed on the front, back, and both sides of the vehicle.

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.

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

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

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

If a substance is being transported in a reportable quantity, the shipper must display the letters "RQ" on the shipping paper and package.

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.

When loading or unloading containers of hazardous materials, you should not use hooks, or any other tools that could damage containers or packaging.

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.

When hazardous materials placards are required, they must be placed on all four sides of the vehicle.

Keep liquid discharge valves on a compressed gas tank closed, except when loading and unloading.

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.

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.

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.