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

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.

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

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.

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

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 marine pollutant marking is the image of a fish in a white triangle with an X through through the fish.

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

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.

You should not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded cargo tank used to transport materials that are categorized as Class 3 (flammable liquids) or Division 2.1 (gases). Do not smoke or carry a lit cigar, pipe, or cigarette near a vehicle containing flammable or explosive 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.

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

Diamond-shaped signs called placards are placed on the outside of vehicles carrying hazardous materials to alert other drivers to the presence of the materials.

Fighting a hazardous materials fire requires specialized training and equipment. Unless you possess these yourself, it is best to let emergency personnel deal with the fire.

Hazardous materials placards must be positioned so any words or numbers can be read from left to right. They must be at least three inches away from any other markings.

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.

Shippers of hazardous materials are required to provide emergency response information to drivers.

All drivers must be trained in the security risks of hazardous materials transportation. This training must include how to recognize and respond to possible security threats. Hazardous materials employees must be trained and tested at least once every three years.

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 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.

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

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.

A vehicle that has not been properly placarded may not be driven, except when necessary to protect life or property in an emergency.

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

If a cargo of hazardous materials begins to leak, do not move your vehicle any more than safety requires. If you continue to drive, an even larger area will become contaminated. Instead, you should park your vehicle, secure it, stay with the vehicle, and contact the proper emergency personnel. If you do not have access to a phone, you should send someone else to get help.

Unless excepted, hazardous materials shipping papers must list an emergency response telephone number.

You must have a commercial driver license with a hazardous materials endorsement before driving a vehicle of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials, even if the vehicle is not transporting hazardous materials at the time of operation.

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

A material's ID number must appear on its accompanying shipping paper as well as on its packaging. It must also appear on cargo tanks and other bulk packaging.

A driver transporting chlorine in cargo tanks must keep an approved gas mask and an emergency kit in their vehicle.