Hazmat Drivers Erg Responsibilities
This Section Covers9.1 – Intent of the Regulations9.2 – Hazardous Materials Transportation—Who Does What9.3 – Communication Rules9.4 – Loading and Unloading9.5 – Bulk Packaging Marking, Loading, and Unloading9.6 – Hazardous Materials—Driving and Parking Rules9.7 – Hazardous Materials—Emergencies9.8 – Hazardous Materials—GlossaryNote: To ensure public safety, DMV examiners will not conduct commercial skills tests in vehicles displaying vehicle placards per CVC §27903. This includes vehicles carrying hazardous materials and/or wastes and vehicles which have not been purged of their hazardous cargo. CVC §15278(a)(4) requires a HazMat endorsement for those who drive a vehicle requiring placards.Note: Your CDL tests will be based on your knowledge of federal transportation requirements.
Text preceded by “California” refers to state (nonfederal) requirements which also apply when driving in California. The state requirements are strictly enforced.Hazardous materials are products that pose a risk to health, safety, and property during transportation. The term often is shortened to HazMat, which you may see on road signs or to HM in government regulations.
Hazardous materials include explosives, various types of gas, solids, flammable and combustible liquid, and other materials. Because of the risks involved and the potential consequences these risks impose, all levels of government regulate the handling of hazardous materials.The (HMR) and common references are found in CFR, Title 49, Parts 100–185.The Hazardous Materials Table in the regulations contains a list of these items. However, this list is not all-inclusive.
Whether or not a material is considered hazardous is based on its characteristics and the shipper’s decision on whether or not the material meets a definition of a hazardous material in the regulations.The regulations require vehicles transporting certain types or quantities of hazardous materials to display diamond-shaped, square on point, warning signs called placards.This section is designed to assist you in understanding your role and responsibilities in hauling hazardous materials. Due to the constantly changing nature of government regulations, it is impossible to guarantee absolute accuracy of the materials in this section. It is essential for your to have an up-to-date copy of the complete regulations. Included in these regulations is a complete glossary of terms.You must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement before you drive any size vehicle that is used to transport hazardous material as defined in CFR, Title 49 §383.5. You must pass a knowledge test about the regulations and requirements to get this endorsement.Note: A CLP holder is prohibited from transporting HazMat.Everything you need to know to pass the knowledge test is in this section. However, this is only the beginning.
Most drivers need to know much more on the job. You can learn more by reading and understanding the federal and state rules applicable to hazardous materials, as well as attending hazardous materials training courses.
Your employer, colleges, universities, and various associations usually offer these courses. You can get copies of the (CFR, Title 49) through your local government printing office bookstore and various industry publishers. Union or company offices often have copies of the rules for driver use. Find out where you can get your own copy to use on the job.The regulations require training and testing for all drivers involved in transporting hazardous materials. Your employer or a designated representative is required to provide this training and testing. Hazardous materials employers are required to keep a record of training for each employee as long as that employee is working with hazardous materials, and for 90 days thereafter. The regulations require that hazardous materials employees be trained and tested at least once every 3 years.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.The regulations also require that drivers have special training before driving a vehicle transporting certain flammable gas materials or highway route controlled quantities of radioactive materials. In addition, drivers transporting cargo tanks and portable tanks must receive specialized training. Each driver’s employer or his or her designated representative must provide such training.Some locations require permits to transport certain explosives or bulk hazardous wastes. States and counties also may require drivers to follow special hazardous materials routes. The federal government may require permits or exemptions for special hazardous materials cargo such as rocket fuel. Find out about permits, exemptions, and special routes for the places you drive.Permits. A permit or route restriction may be required to transport some classifications and quantities of hazardous materials.
Contact CHP and DOT for information. Permits and registrations may also be required for hazardous waste and medical waste transportation. Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Department of Health Services respectively, for information.If you apply for an original or renewal HazMat endorsement, you must undergo a TSA federal security threat assessment (background records check).
You start the TSA background records check after you apply for your CDL at DMV, successfully complete all appropriate knowledge tests, and submit a valid medical form. You must submit fingerprints, a fee, and any additional required information to one of TSA’s designated agents.
SUBSECTION 9.4Test your Knowledge. Around which hazard classes must you never smoke?. Which 3 hazard classes should not be loaded into a trailer that has a heater/air conditioner unit?. Should the floor liner required for Division 1.1 or 1.2 materials be stainless steel?. At the shipper’s dock, you are given a paper for 100 cartons of battery acid. You already have 100 pounds of dry Silver Cyanide on board. What precautions do you have to take?.
Name a hazard class that uses transport indexes to determine the amount that can be loaded in a single vehicle.These questions may be on your test. If you cannot answer them all, re-read Subsection 9.4.9.5 – Bulk Packaging Marking, Loading and UnloadingThe glossary at the end of this section gives the meaning of the word bulk. Cargo tanks are bulk packaging permanently attached to a vehicle. Cargo tanks remain on the vehicle when you load and unload them.
Portable tanks are bulk packaging, which are not permanently attached to a vehicle. The product is loaded or unloaded while the portable tanks are off the vehicle. Portable tanks are then put on a vehicle for transportation. There are many types of cargo tanks in use. The most common cargo tanks are MC306 for liquids and MC331 for gases. 9.5.1 – MarkingsYou must display the ID number of the hazardous materials in portable tanks and cargo tanks and other bulk packaging (such as dump trucks). ID numbers are in Column 4 of the Hazardous Materials Table.
Hazmat Drivers Erg Responsibilities
The rules require black 100 mm (3.9 inch) numbers on orange panels, placards, or a white, diamond-shaped background if no placards are required. Specification cargo tanks must show retest date markings.Portable tanks must also show the lessee or owner’s name. They must also display the shipping name of the contents on two opposing sides.
The letters of the shipping name must be at least 2 inches tall on portable tanks with capacities of more than 1,000 gallons and 1-inch tall on portable tanks with capacities of less than 1,000 gallons. The ID number must appear on each side and each end of a portable tank or other bulk packaging that holds 1,000 gallons or more and on 2 opposing sides, if the portable tank holds less than 1,000 gallons. The ID numbers must still be visible when the portable tank is on the motor vehicle. If they are not visible, you must display the ID number on both sides and ends of the motor vehicle.Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are bulk packaging, but are not required to have the owner’s name or shipping name. 2 – Tank LoadingThe person in charge of loading and unloading a cargo tank must be sure a qualified person is always watching.
This person watching the loading or unloading must:. Be alert.
Have a clear view of the cargo tank. Be within 25 feet of the tank. Know the hazards of the materials involved. Know the procedures to follow in an emergency.
Be authorized to move the cargo tank and able to do so.There are special attendance rules for cargo tanks transporting propane and anhydrous ammonia.Close all manholes and valves before moving a tank of hazardous materials, no matter how small the amount in the tank or how short the distance. Manholes and valves must be closed to prevent leaks. It is illegal to move a cargo tank with open valves or covers unless it is empty according to CFR, Title 49 §173.29. 9.5.3 – Flammable LiquidsTurn off your engine before loading or unloading any flammable liquids. Only run the engine if needed to operate a pump. Ground a cargo tank correctly before filling it through an open filling hole.
Ground the tank before opening the filling hole, and maintain the ground until after closing the filling hole. 9.5.4 – Compressed GasKeep liquid discharge valves on a compressed gas tank closed except when loading and unloading. Unless your engine runs a pump for product transfer, turn it off when loading or unloading. If you use the engine, turn it off after product transfer, and before you unhook the hose. Unhook all loading/unloading connections before coupling, uncoupling, or moving a cargo tank. Always chock trailers and semi-trailers to prevent motion when uncoupled from the power unit. SUBSECTION 9.5Test Your Knowledge.
What are cargo tanks?. How is a portable tank different from a cargo tank?. Your engine runs a pump used during delivery of compressed gas. Should you turn off the engine before or after unhooking hoses after delivery?These questions may be on your test. If you cannot answer them all, re-read Subsection 9.5.9.6 – Hazardous Materials — Driving and Parking Rules 9.6.1 – Parking With Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 ExplosivesNever park with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road. Except for short periods of time needed for vehicle operation necessities (e.g., fueling), do not park within 300 feet of:.
A bridge, tunnel, or building. A place where people gather.
An open fire.If you must park to do your job, do so only briefly.Do not park on private property unless the owner is aware of the danger. Someone must always watch the parked vehicle. You may let someone else watch it for you only if your vehicle is:. On the shipper’s property. On the carrier’s property.
On the consignee’s property.You are allowed to leave your vehicle unattended in a safe haven. A safe haven is an approved place for parking unattended vehicles loaded with explosives. Designation of authorized safe havens is usually made by local authorities. 9.6.2 – Parking a Placarded Vehicle Not Transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 ExplosivesYou may park a placarded vehicle (not laden with explosives) within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road only if your work requires it. Do so only briefly. Someone must always watch the vehicle when parked on a public roadway or shoulder. Do not uncouple a trailer and leave it with hazardous materials on a public street.
Do not park within 300 feet of an open fire. 9.6.3 – Attending Placarded Parked VehiclesThe person attending a placarded vehicle must:. Be in the vehicle, awake, and not in the sleeper berth, or within 100 feet of the vehicle and have it within clear view.
Be aware of hazards of the materials being transported. Know what to do in emergencies. Be able to move the vehicle, if needed.9.6.4 – No Flares!You might break down and have to use stopped vehicle signals. Use reflective triangles or red electric lights. Never use burning signals, such as flares or fuses, around a:. Tank used for Class 3 (Flammable Liquids) or Division 2.1 (Flammable Gas) whether loaded or empty. Vehicle loaded with Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Explosives.9.6.5 – Route RestrictionsSome states and counties require permits to transport hazardous materials or wastes.
They may limit the routes you can use. Local rules about routes and permits change often. It is your job as driver to find out if you need permits or must use special routes. Make sure you have all needed papers before starting.If you work for a carrier, ask your dispatcher about route restrictions or permits. If you are an independent trucker and are planning a new route, check with state agencies where you plan to travel. Some localities prohibit transportation of hazardous materials through tunnels, over bridges, or other roadways.
Always check before you start.Whenever placarded, avoid heavily populated areas, crowds, tunnels, narrow streets, and alleys. Take other routes, even if inconvenient, unless there is no other way. Never drive a placarded vehicle near open fires unless you can safely pass without stopping.If transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, you must have a written route plan and follow that plan. Carriers prepare the route plan in advance and give the driver a copy. You may plan the route yourself if you pick up the explosives at a location other than your employer’s terminal. Write out the plan in advance. Keep a copy of it with you while transporting the explosives.
Deliver shipments of explosives only to authorized persons or leave them in locked rooms designed for explosives storage.A carrier must choose the safest route to transport placarded radioactive materials. After choosing the route, the carrier must tell the driver about the radioactive materials, and show the route plan. 9.6.5.1 – Transporting Explosives in CaliforniaWhen transporting any amount of Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.6 EXPLOSIVES or a combination of any of these explosives together with a Division 1.5 EXPLOSIVE (blasting agent) as a delivery service or “for hire,” you must use special routes, safe stopping places, safe parking places, and mandatory vehicle inspection locations prescribed by CHP. When transporting more than 1,000 pounds of these explosives in private carriage (other than as a delivery service) the same requirements apply.
9.6.5.2 – Transporting Inhalation Hazards in CaliforniaShipments of materials designated as “Poison Inhalation Hazard,” “Toxic Inhalation Hazard,” or “Inhalation Hazard” per CFR, Title 49 §172.203, when transported in bulk packaging’s (CFR, Title 49 §171.8), must also be transported using special routes, safe stopping places, and mandatory vehicle inspection locations prescribed by CHP for these materials. 9.6.5.3 – Transporting Radioactive Materials in CaliforniaThere are also specific routes prescribed by the CHP for “Highway-Route Controlled Quantity (HRCQ)” and “Radioactive Materials (RAM)” shipments.Drivers must have in their possession, a copy of the routes supplied by the carrier applicable to their shipment when transporting these materials. The routes, stopping places and inspection locations are contained in CCR, Title 13 §§1150–1152.8 (Explosives), §§1155–1157.20 (IH), and §§1158–1159 (HRCQ). These requirements are also published by CHP.Motor carriers may receive these publications, including revisions, by indicating their request on the APPLICATION FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION LICENSE or by contacting the Commercial Vehicle Section, Routing Coordinator at (916) 327-3310. SUBSECTIONS 9.6 AND 9.7Test Your Knowledge. If your placarded trailer has dual tires, how often should you check the tires?.
What is a safe haven?. How close to the traveled part of the roadway can you park with Division 1.2 or 1.3 materials?. How close can you park to a bridge, tunnel, or building with the same load?. What type of fire extinguisher must placarded vehicles carry?. You are hauling 100 pounds of Division 4.3 (DANGEROUS WHEN WET) materials. Do you need to stop before a railroad-highway crossing?.
At a rest area you discover your hazardous materials shipments slowly leaking from the vehicle. There is no phone around. What should you do?. What is the (ERG)?These questions may be on your test.
If you cannot answer them all, re-read Subsections 9.6 and 9.7.9.8 – Hazardous Materials GlossaryThis glossary presents definitions of certain terms used in this section. A complete glossary of terms can be found in the (CFR, Title 49 §171.8). You should have an up-to-date copy of these rules for your reference.Note: You will not be tested on this glossary.