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.

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.

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. In this case, leave the doors closed because opening the doors could worsen the fire by supplying it with more oxygen.

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

When required, hazardous materials placards must be placed on the front, rear, and both sides of a vehicle.

A hazardous material will be placed into one of nine classes to explain the type of risks associated with the material.

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

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

You must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement to drive a vehicle of any size that is used for transporting hazardous materials.

Among other information, shipping papers must include a description of the specific hazardous materials being transported.

Shippers of certain kinds of hazardous materials are required to display diamond-shaped warning signs, known as placards, on any transporting vehicles. Shippers are required to provide applicable placards, labels, shipping papers, and emergency response information.

Fighting a hazardous materials fire requires special training and protective gear. Unless you have the proper equipment and training, do not try to fight a hazardous materials fire yourself.

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

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.

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.

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

Always load hazardous materials away from heat sources. Be aware of regulations on explosive or flammable materials that prohibit them from being loaded in cargo spaces with heaters.

If transporting chlorine in cargo tanks, a driver must have an approved gas mask in their vehicle.

If a hazardous materials label will not fit onto a package, it may be placed on a tag that is securely attached to the package.

On hazardous materials shipping papers, the identification number, shipping name, and hazard class must not be abbreviated, unless specifically authorized in the hazardous materials regulations.

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.

In general, vehicles carrying hazardous materials are required to display diamond-shaped warning signs on all four sides. These warning signs are called "placards."

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

A shipper of hazardous materials must certify on the shipping paper that the shipment has been prepared in accordance with the rules.

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