CDL HazMat Endorsement Cheat Sheet

HazMat Regulations

Not published of exam
9 Hazard Classes Shipping Papers Placarding Markings + Labels Material ID

Loading + Unloading

Not published of exam
Segregation Rules Loading Rules Parking + Attendance Driving Rules Route Picker

Emergency Response

Not published of exam
ERG Color Sections Spill Steps Notification Leak Picker Fire Response

Vehicle Safety

Not published of exam
Inspections Cargo Tanks Security Plan TSA Assessment Safety Equipment

Quick Facts

Endorsement H (HazMat)
Questions Varies by state
Time Varies by state
Pass At least 80%
Renewal State-specific
Background TSA assessment
Rules 49 CFR HMR
Training ELDT theory required

9 Hazard Classes RE

Explosives Gas Flame Solid Oxidizer Poison Radio Corrosive Misc
1 Explosives 2 Gas 3 Flammable 4 Solid 5 Oxidizer 6 Poison 7 Radioactive 8 Corrosive 9 Misc

Marking vs Label RE

Marking

Proper shipping name
UN/NA number
Descriptive text

Label

Diamond shape
Hazard symbol/color
Shows hazard class
Text vs symbol

Do I Need Placards? RE

Carrying Table 1 material → Generally placard ( Any amount; check exceptions )
Bulk package / cargo tank → Generally placard ( Check material-specific exceptions )
Table 2, under 1,001 lb → Usually no Table 2 placard ( Check exceptions and bulk rules )
Table 2, 1,001 lb or more → Placard each class ( Aggregate gross non-bulk weight )
Mixed Table 2 over 1,001 lb → DANGEROUS placard ( Or each class )
Material has subsidiary risk → Add subsidiary placard ( Second hazard )
Poison inhalation hazard → Placard ( Always required )
Residue still placardable → Keep placards ( Empty rules apply )

9 Hazard Classes RE

Class 1 Explosives 1.1-1.6
Class 2 Gases
Class 3 Flammable liquids
Class 4 Flammable solids
Class 5 Oxidizers, peroxides
Class 6 Poisons, toxic, infectious
Class 7 Radioactive
Class 8 Corrosives
Class 9 Miscellaneous hazards

Shipper Prep Steps RE

Classify Package Mark Label Certify
Classify: hazard class Package: proper container Mark: name + ID Label: hazard diamond Certify: sign paper

Table 1 vs Table 2 RE

Table 1

Most dangerous
Placard any amount
Explosives 1.1-1.3, PIH

Table 2

Generally 1,001-lb non-bulk threshold
Check listed exceptions
Includes many flammables and corrosives
Always vs threshold

Key Divisions RE

1.1 Mass explosion hazard
1.5 Very insensitive explosive
2.1 Flammable gas
2.3 Poison gas
4.3 Dangerous when wet
5.2 Organic peroxide
6.1 Toxic, poison
1.4S Limited explosion effect

Placard vs Marking RE

Placard

On the vehicle
All four sides
Warns the public

Marking

On the package
Name + ID number
Identifies contents
Vehicle vs package

Placarding Rules RE

All 4 sides Front, rear, both sides
Table 1 Usually placard any amount; check exceptions
Table 2 Usually 1,001-lb non-bulk aggregate threshold
1,001 lb Aggregate gross weight
DANGEROUS Mixed Table 2 load
Bulk package Usually placard contents; check exceptions
Subsidiary Second hazard placard
Diamond shape Color + symbol + number

Bulk vs Non-bulk RE

Bulk

Over 119 gal liquid
Cargo tank, IBC
Placard any quantity

Non-bulk

Capacity thresholds depend on material form
Drums, boxes
Table 2 aggregate threshold may apply
Container size matters

Shipping Papers RE

Basic description ID, name, class, group
ID number UN or NA prefix
HM column X marks hazardous entry
Highlight Or contrasting color
Listed first HazMat before other freight
Certification Shipper signs statement
Emergency phone Monitored 24/7 number
Retain 1 year 3 years for waste

Flammable vs Combustible RE

Flammable

Flashpoint at/below 140F
Class 3
Gasoline, alcohol

Combustible

Flashpoint 140-200F
Reclassified Class 3
Diesel, fuel oil
Lower flashpoint = worse

Markings + Labels RE

Marking Name and UN number
Label Diamond hazard symbol
Orientation arrows Keep package upright
RQ Reportable quantity marking
Limited Quantity Small-amount exemption
Cargo Aircraft Only No passenger plane
Radioactive I White, low level
Radioactive II/III Yellow, transport index

Shipper vs Carrier RE

Shipper

Classify, package
Mark, label
Sign certification

Carrier

Placard vehicle
Transport safely
Refuse bad packages
Prepare vs transport

Rail Crossing Stop LO

Stop 15 to 50 feet from rail
No closer than 15 ft No farther than 50 ft Placarded loads only

Loading Rules LO

Brace load Prevent all movement
Drums upright Bungs facing up
Reject damage Refuse leaking packages
No metal tools Sparks near explosives
Class 1 floor No engine running
Corrosives low Below other freight
No cargo heater Class 1, 3, gas 2.1
Inspect cargo space Before loading hazmat

Segregation Rules LO

Cyanide + acid Deadly gas, never together
Poison + food Class 6 never with food
Blasting caps Separate from explosives
Class 1A and 1L Segregate from everything
Oxidizer + flammable Keep apart
Corrosive + flammable Separate, brace apart
Seg table Lists forbidden pairs
Charge/separate Codes in seg table

Driving + Parking LO

Smoking 25 ft from explosives/gas
Rail crossing Stop 15-50 ft
Park 5 ft From traveled roadway
300 ft From bridge, tunnel, fire
Attend vehicle Within 25 ft, clear view
Safe haven Approved unattended explosive parking
Avoid Sudden stops and turns
Route plan Written for 1.1/1.2

ERG Colors EM

Yellow=ID Blue=Name Orange=Guide Green=Distance
Yellow: ID index Blue: name index Orange: action guide Green: isolation

ERG Yellow vs Blue EM

Yellow

By ID number
Numerical order
Use UN/NA digits

Blue

By name
Alphabetical order
Use shipping name
Number vs name lookup

Leak or Incident Steps EM

Notice leak en route → Pull to safe spot ( Stop driving )
Stopped safely → Identify material ( Papers + ERG )
Hazard understood → Secure the scene ( Keep people back )
Scene secured → Call 911 + carrier ( Give location )
Major release → Notify NRC ( 1-800-424-8802 )
Small, safe to fix → Stop leak if trained ( Otherwise wait )
Responders arrive → Hand shipping papers ( Provide ERG guide )
Vehicle on fire → Warn, move away ( Do not fight )

ERG Color Sections EM

Yellow Index by ID number
Blue Index by name
Orange Action guides 111-174
Green Isolation, evacuate distances
White front Placard and rail-car ID
White back Protective actions, glossary
Guide number From yellow or blue
PIH/TIH Use green table

Incident Order EM

Protect Identify Secure Notify
Protect: people first Identify: papers + ERG Secure: keep back Notify: 911 + NRC

Using The ERG EM

Know the ID number → Yellow section ( Numerical index )
Know only the name → Blue section ( Alphabetical index )
Have a guide number → Orange section ( Action guide )
Highlighted entry → Green section ( Isolation distances )
See only a placard → White front pages ( Placard chart )
Need protective actions → Green or orange ( Evacuate distances )
Spill of PIH gas → Green table ( Day/night zones )
No match found → Use Guide 111 ( Unknown hazard )

Emergency Actions EM

Protect Self and public first
Identify Use papers and ERG
Secure Keep bystanders away
Notify Call 911 and carrier
Warn Set out warning devices
Contain Only if trained, safe
Hand papers Give responders shipping papers
Do not move Stay with leaking vehicle

Notification Triggers EM

NRC National Response Center
1-800-424-8802 NRC phone number
Fatality Report immediately
Hospitalized injury Report immediately
RQ release Report to NRC
Major closure Road or facility shut
Fire/breakage Of radioactive, explosive
Written report DOT form within 30 days

Vehicle Checks VE

Pre-trip Tires, brakes, leaks
Explosive tires Check 2 hr / 100 mi
Each stop Inspect when left unattended
Tanker Inspect tank and fittings
Walk-around Before opening trailer
Fire extinguisher Power vehicle requirement
Hot tires Common fire source
Spare fuses Carry warning devices

Security + TSA VE

TSA assessment Background threat check
$85.25 Standard TSA agent-state fee
$41 Eligible TWIC comparability option
Disqualifiers Crime, immigration, intel
Security plan Required at placard amounts
Personnel security Vetting plan element
En-route security Plan addresses transit
ELDT Theory before knowledge test
Suspicious package Keep distance, report security

Common Traps

Marking vs label

Marking is text/ID ≠ Label is hazard diamond

Table 1 vs Table 2

Table 1 usually placards any amount ≠ Table 2: 1,001-lb non-bulk threshold

Bulk vs non-bulk

Bulk: usually placard contents ≠ Non-bulk Table 2: aggregate threshold

Shipper vs carrier

Shipper marks/labels ≠ Carrier placards vehicle

Flammable vs combustible

Flammable at/below 140F ≠ Combustible 140-200F

DANGEROUS placard

Mixed Table 2 load ≠ Not for single class

ERG yellow vs blue

Yellow is by number ≠ Blue is by name

Last Minute

1. State varies; pass at least 80%
2. 9 classes: explosives to miscellaneous
3. Placard all four sides of vehicle
4. Table 1: usually placard any amount
5. Table 2: 1,001-lb non-bulk threshold
6. Bulk: usually placard contents; check exceptions
7. DANGEROUS placard = mixed Table 2
8. Shipping papers: ID, name, class, group
9. Mark HazMat: X, highlight, or first
10. Papers within reach or door pouch
11. Shipper signs certification; carrier placards
12. ERG yellow finds ID number
13. ERG blue finds material name
14. ERG orange holds action guides
15. ERG green gives isolation distances
16. Incident: protect, identify, secure, notify
17. Report fatality, RQ release, major closure
18. Smoke 25 ft from explosives
19. Stop 15-50 ft before railroad crossing
20. Park 5 ft from traveled road
21. Attend vehicle within 25 ft
22. Refuse leaking or damaged packages
23. Cyanide never with acid
24. TSA assessment plus ELDT theory required

CDL HAZMAT Endorsement

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