Illinois CDL: Hazardous Materials Practice Test

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 Hazardous Materials Regulations apply only if the material is shipped by water.

In the Hazardous Materials Table, the letter "W" in Column 1 means that the hazardous material described in Column 2 is subject to the Hazardous Materials Regulations only if the material is offered or intended for transportation by water, unless it is a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, or marine pollutant. The federal Hazardous Materials Regulations are in 49 CFR §§ 171–180.

Not quite. The answer is The driver

At any time, states or counties can impose new rules on the permits you must have or new restrictions on the routes you may take. As the driver, you must keep up with these changes and work with the carrier to obtain any needed permits.

Not quite. The answer is The carrier

When placarded radioactive materials must be transported, it's the carrier's job to choose the safest route. After choosing the route, the carrier must tell the driver about the radioactive materials, and show the driver the route plan.

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 four

You placard your vehicle to warn everyone around you that you are transporting hazardous materials. Therefore, you must have placards on all four sides of your vehicle.

Not quite. The answer is Medicines, food flavorings

A material’s hazard class reflects the risks associated with it. There are nine hazard classes. However, some materials, such as medicines and food flavorings, are regulated but present only a limited hazard. Hence, they may not belong in any of the nine hazard classes. Note: Despite what your state CDL manual may claim, anthrax is caused by a bacterium, not a virus.

Not quite. The answer is Only if regulations specifically authorize the shipper to do it

The shipper may not abbreviate the hazardous material identification number, hazard class, or shipping name of a hazardous material unless the regulations specifically authorize it. Abbrevations might make it harder to identify the material correctly, which could be dangerous.

Not quite. The answer is If you're driving a placarded vehicle or a bus transporting passengers

According to federal regulations, you must stop between 15 and 50 feet of every railroad crossing if any of the following is true: (1) You're driving a bus that is carrying passengers. (2) Your vehicle is placarded for transporting hazardous materials. (3) Your vehicle has cargo tanks for hazardous materials (whether loaded or empty). (4) You're carrying any amount of chlorine.

Source: 49 CFR 392.10

Not quite. The answer is Keep the doors shut and call for help

You might have to control minor truck fires on the road. However, unless you have the training and equipment to do so safely, don't fight hazardous materials fires. Feel trailer doors to see if they are hot before opening them. If hot, you may have a cargo fire and should not open the doors. If your cargo is already on fire, it is not safe to fight the fire. Keep the shipping papers with you to give to emergency personnel as soon as they arrive.

Not quite. The answer is Non-ferrous metal

Explosives should not be near anything that could emit sparks. The floor liner for moving Division 1.1 or 1.2 materials must be either nonmetallic materials or non-ferrous metals. Stainless steel and carbon steel are ferrous metals.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

Federal regulations require the shipper to communicate the risk of the hazardous materials in several ways: put hazard warning labels on packages, and provide proper shipping papers, appropriate placards for the vehicle, and emergency response information.

Not quite. The answer is must put the word "WASTE" before the proper shipping name of the material on the shipping paper.

A shipper of hazardous wastes must put the word "WASTE" before the proper shipping name of the material on the shipping paper (hazardous waste manifest). Federal regulations require shippers to put hazard warning labels on packages and provide proper shipping papers, emergency response information, and placards, regardless of whether the material being shipped is waste.

Not quite. The answer is None of the above provides sufficient assurance.

Federal regulations define an "undeclared hazardous material" as a hazardous material that is subject to the communication requirements (labels, shipping papers, etc.) for hazardous materials, but which is shipped without any indication to the carrier that the package contains hazardous materials. Each year, about 1,500 transportation incidents occur when undeclared hazardous materials are shipped. Transportation workers have been injured when undeclared hazardous materials leaked from packages. It is the responsibility of the shipper to know whether the items being shipped contain hazardous materials and to comply with the hazardous materials regulations if required. There are substantial penalties for deliberately shipping hazardous materials without complying with the federal or state requirements for their shipment. ["Check the Box," US Department of Transportation, https://www.transportation.gov/check-the-box],

Source: 49 CFR 171.8

Not quite. The answer is any of the above

Obviously, if there is a spill of a Class 3 material (flammable liquid) or a Class 4 material (flammable solid), you should take precautions against a fire hazard. But Class 5 materials (oxidizers) can react with some flammable substances in the area and also cause a fire. Finally, many Class 6 materials (poisons) are also flammable. Hence, it's wise to take fire precautions when dealing with Class 5 or Class 6 materials too. (Note: This topic is not usually found in the official state CDL handbook.)

Not quite. The answer is Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3

If you are carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 materials (explosives), you must not park within five feet of the traveled roadway. If you can't get that far away, call emergency services.

Not quite. The answer is Class 8

Your CDL Handbook includes Placard Tables 1 and 2. Division 2.3 (Toxic Gases) and Division 4.3 (Dangerous when Wet) are in Placard Table 1. Any amount of hazardous materials listed in Placard Table 1 must be placarded. Class 8 (Corrosives) is in Placard Table 2. Except for bulk packaging, the materials in Placard Table 2 must be placarded only if the total amount transported is 1,001 pounds or more, including the package.

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 to communicate the risk.

The hazardous materials regulations are designed to help ensure the safety of shippers, carriers, drivers, and the general public. One way they do this is by requiring that packages of hazardous materials and the vehicles that transport them be clearly marked and accompanied by appropriate shipping papers. This lets emergency personnel and the public know the risks involved.

Not quite. The answer is Have a qualified person keep an eye on it.

If you must briefly park a placarded vehicle within 5 feet of the roadway because your work requires it, get someone else to watch the vehicle. That person must (a) be awake inside the vehicle (but not in the sleeper berth) or within 100 feet of the vehicle, in clear view of it; (b) be aware of the hazards posed by the materials being transported; (c) know what to do in case of an emergency; and (d) be able to move the vehicle if needed.