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

Always turn the engine off before refueling a vehicle carrying hazardous materials. Someone must always be at the nozzle controlling the fuel flow.

If a shipping paper describes both hazardous and non-hazardous materials, the hazardous materials must be distinguished in one of three ways. They must be entered first on the shipping paper, highlighted in a contrasting color, or properly marked with an "X" in a column titled "HM."

When a shipping paper includes both hazardous and non-hazardous materials, one acceptable method of identifying the hazardous items is to highlight them in a contrasting color.

While the manual includes all of the information required to pass the hazardous materials knowledge test, you should consider reading the manual as only the first step to learning about the topic. You can learn more by reading and understanding the federal and state rules about the transportation of hazardous materials, as well as by attending hazardous materials training courses.

In the event of a leak in a cargo of hazardous materials, do not continue to drive any longer than is necessary for safety. Continuing to drive would result in a larger area becoming contaminated. Instead, park the vehicle, secure the area, stay with the vehicle, and send someone to get help.

Employees who work with hazardous materials must be trained and tested at least once every three years.

Hazardous materials warning placards must be used on all four sides of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials.

At a minimum, emergency response information must include the basic descriptions and technical names of the materials being transported; immediate hazards to health; risks of fire or explosion; immediate precautions to be taken in the event of an accident or incident; immediate methods for handling fires; initial methods for handling spills or leaks in the absence of fires; and preliminary first aid measures.

If the words "Inhalation Hazard" appear on the shipping paper or package, you must display the "Poison Inhalation Hazard" or "Poison Gas" placards, as appropriate.

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.

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.

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

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

In general, a shipper is required to list an emergency response telephone number on hazardous materials' shipping papers. There are some exceptions to this rule.

Radioactive materials are categorized as Class 7 hazardous materials.

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.

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.

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.

Unless a package is clearly unsafe or does not comply with the Hazardous Materials Regulations, you may accept the shipper's certification that it was properly packaged.

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.

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

Do not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded cargo tank used to transport Class 3 or Division 2.1 hazardous materials.

If transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, you must follow a written route plan. Whenever placarded, avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets, and alleys. Be sure to research any restrictions that may apply to the routes you plan to take.

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.

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.

You should use a floor lining when transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 materials. The floors must be tight and the liner must be made from either non-metallic material or non-ferrous metal. Non-ferrous metals are any metals that do not contain iron or iron alloys.

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.

Some radioactive materials are required to be accompanied by a transport index. A transport index is a number that indicates how much control the material will require during transport. The total transport index of all cargo in a single vehicle may not exceed 50.

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