Georgia CDL: Hazardous Materials Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is the shipper is a private carrier, carrying its own product.

There are only a couple of situations in which a carrier does not have to certify that the hazardous material has been packaged according to regulations: (1) The shipper is a private carrier transporting its own private product; or (2) the package is provided by the carrier (such as a cargo tank, which is permanently attached to the vehicle).

Not quite. The answer is at the nozzle, controlling the fuel flow.

Under federal regulation 49 CFR 397.15, whenever a motor vehicle carrying hazardous materials is being refueled, its engine must be turned off and someone must be at the nozzle, controlling fuel flow.

Not quite. The answer is the shipper.

The shipper packs the hazardous materials for transport. The shipper must determine the correct identification number and record it on the packages and the shipping papers. (In the event of an accident, first responders are trained to look first at the packages and the shipping papers for the identification number.)

Not quite. The answer is have their drivers text their locations.

To communicate the risk of hazardous materials, regulations require shippers to put placards on trucks, put hazard warning labels on packages, provide proper shipping papers, and supply emergency response information. Regulations don't usually require regular texting. In fact, in many states, texting on a handheld cell phone while driving is illegal.

Not quite. The answer is A

You may have seen the term "hazard zone" in the Hazardous Materials Table. A poisonous material's "hazard zone" (not to be confused with its "hazard class") is the degree of hazard that it poses, based on how toxic it is. The hazard zone is based on the minimum concentration of the material that will kill 50% of those who are exposed to it. Division 2.3 poisonous gases have four possible hazard zones, A, B, C, and D, in descending order of toxicity. Division 6.1 poisonous liquids have just two possible hazard zones, A and B, also in descending order of toxicity. For either poisonous gases or poisonous liquids, hazard zone A poses the greatest hazard. According to federal regulation 49 CFR 173.116, a poisonous gas in hazard zone A will kill 50% of those exposed to a concentration of just 200 parts per million. Your carrier must apply for a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit (HMSP) to haul poisonous materials in certain safety zones. For example, to haul more than 1 liter or 1.08 quarts of a material that is poisonous by inhalation and is in hazard zone A, your carrier must hold a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit.

Not quite. The answer is a place that has been approved for parking unattended vehicles carrying explosives.

The term "safe haven" refers to a place created by local authorities where you can safely leave your truck unattended by you while it holds explosive materials. While the rules for managing safe havens may vary by jurisdiction, the safe haven may be secured by warning signs and gates and patrolled by watch personnel who are trained in how to handle the dangers of hazardous materials. This solves a trucking dilemma that has often led drivers to make risky decisions, such as driving through the night so that they could stay with their loads.

Not quite. The answer is 1,001 pounds or more.

To transport hazardous materials listed in Placard Table 2, you must use placards only if you are transporting a total of 1,001 pounds or more. If you are transporting more than one hazardous material, find out the amount of each from its shipping paper.

Not quite. The answer is 2

A material’s hazard class reflects the risks associated with it. There are nine hazard classes. Class 2 includes various gases: flammable gases (2.1), such as propane; non-flammable gases (2.2), such as helium; and toxic gases (2.3), such as compressed fluorine.

Not quite. The answer is The shipper

The shipping papers describe the hazardous material and its quantity, among other things. The shipper must fill out the shipping papers because the shipper packages the material. Only the shipper knows exactly what's inside the package. Except in an emergency, no one else should open the package to see what's inside until the package is delivered to the receiver.

Not quite. The answer is Send someone for help with all the necessary information.

Cleaning up a spill, a huge contamination in particular, is very expensive. Therefore, if you notice a leak, stop as soon as you possibly can and get off the road. Stay with your vehicle because of liability and safety issues and send someone else for help. You will need to send a large amount of vital information including your location, your direction of travel, the hazard class and ID numbers, your carrier's location, and the cargo's destination. Make sure you write it all down for the person seeking help.

Not quite. The answer is The material is subject to the HMR only when offered or intended for transport by air unless it is a hazardous substance or hazardous waste.

Column 1 tells which shipping mode(s) the entry affects and other information concerning the shipping description. Six different symbols may appear in Column 1 of the table. (A) Means the hazardous material described in Column 2 is subject to the HMR only when offered or intended for transport by air unless it is a hazardous substance or hazardous waste.

Not quite. The answer is Only during an emergency, to protect life or property

Normally, when your vehicle is carrying hazardous materials, you must attach the appropriate placards to the vehicle before you drive it. You are allowed to move an improperly placarded vehicle only during an emergency, to protect life or property.

Not quite. The answer is 5 feet

You may park a placarded vehicle (unless it's carrying explosives) within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road, but only if your work requires it. Do so only briefly. Corrosives are in Placard Table 2. Because you are transporting 1,001 pounds or more, your vehicle must be placarded.

Not quite. The answer is Only when it is a non-placarded material

You must have a hazardous materials endorsement on your CDL to drive a vehicle that is placarded for hazardous materials. However, not all packages of hazardous materials require placarding your vehicle. For example, relatively small quantities of consumer-grade chemicals such as drain openers and bleaches may be exempt. Federal regulation 49 CFR 172.500 exempts certain amounts and types of hazardous materials from placarding, but states may impose more stringent requirements. Check with the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Not quite. The answer is 25 feet of the vehicle.

You should not risk smoking in close proximity to any class of hazardous material. However, there are specific rules for the following classes: No smoking within 25 feet of classes 3 and 2.1 (flammable materials and gases). No smoking or holding a lighted smoking object such as a cigar or pipe within 25 feet of classes 1, 3, 4.1, 4.2, or 5 (explosives, oxidizers, flammable liquids or solids, or spontaneously combustible materials).

Not quite. The answer is up to 50 feet from the nearest rail.

You must stop before a railroad crossing if your vehicle (a) is placarded; (b) carries any amount of chlorine; or (c) is towing a cargo tank for transporting hazardous materials, even if the tank is empty. You may stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.

Not quite. The answer is Because while being transported, they pose a risk to health, property, or safety

The government regulates the transportation of hazardous materials because by definition, they are potentially dangerous to health, property, public safety, or the environment. Examples include explosives, flammable liquids and gases, poisons, and radioactive materials.

Not quite. The answer is Before starting the trip

Before you start your trip, become familiar with the route. Make sure that state and county laws and regulations allow you to use that route. If the route is densely populated, consider using an alternative route. Obtain any needed permits ahead of time.

Not quite. The answer is 4 psi.

One of the most common types of cargo tanks is the DOT-406, typically used for fuel delivery. A semi-truck with a DOT-406 mounted to the semitrailer is commonly called a "gasoline truck." DOT-406 tanks have a low maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of 4 psi.

Not quite. The answer is Turn it off before unhooking the hoses.

Keeping your engine on while you pump a load of compressed gas adds extra risk. As soon as the delivery is completed, turn off the engine before you unhook any hoses.