Arkansas CDL DMV Endorsement Hazmat 1

You should not smoke within 25 feet of a placarded cargo tank used to transport materials that are categorized as Class 3 (flammable liquids) or Division 2.1 (gases). Do not smoke or carry a lit cigar, pipe, or cigarette near a vehicle containing flammable or explosive materials.

You must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement to operate a vehicle of any size to transport hazardous materials.

Diamond-shaped signs called placards are placed on bulk packages and on the outside of vehicles to warn drivers and others of the presence of hazardous materials. It is the responsibility of the shipper to place the placards, and it is the responsibility of the driver to verify that the correct placards have been placed.

The shipper of hazardous materials is responsible for packaging, marking, and labeling the materials properly. It is a good idea for the driver to ensure the materials are properly labeled.

If your vehicle breaks down on the road while you are transporting explosive materials, you must warn other drivers. Put out warning signals like reflective triangles or electric lights if you are carrying Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives. Do the same if you are driving a tank used to transport Class 3 flammable liquids or Division 2.1 flammable gases, even if the tank is empty. If transporting flammable materials, do not use warning signals that could cause your cargo to catch fire.

Always turn off your vehicle's engine before loading or unloading explosive materials. Never drop, throw, or roll packages containing explosives.

For applicable materials, the "Poison Inhalation Hazard" placard and the appropriate hazard class placard must always be displayed, even for small amounts of the materials.

If a shipping paper describes both hazardous and non-hazardous materials, the hazardous materials must be distinguished in one of three ways. They must be entered first on the shipping paper, highlighted in a contrasting color, or marked with an "X" in a column titled "HM."

If the words "Inhalation Hazard" appear on the shipping paper or package, you must display the "Poison Inhalation Hazard" or "Poison Gas" placards, as appropriate.

For all shipments of hazardous materials, the shipper must use shipping papers to inform drivers and dockworkers of the risks presented by the cargo.

If the words "Inhalation Hazard" are on a package or its shipping paper, you must display the proper inhalation hazard placards, as well as any other necessary placards. This applies regardless of the amount of materials being carried.

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.

One clue that a shipment may contain hazardous materials is that the shipper is in a line of business that you would expect to involve hazardous materials. Examples of such businesses include paint dealers, chemical supply businesses, or pest control firms.

A vehicle must be properly placarded before it can be driven. A vehicle that does not display the proper placards may not be moved unless doing so is necessary to protect life or property in an emergency.

When the 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 transporting any amount of chlorine, a driver must always stop at a railroad crossing 15 to 50 feet from the nearest track.

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

Hazardous materials are products that pose risks to health, safety, and property during transportation. Materials that are considered hazardous include explosives; flammable and poisonous gases; and flammable and other hazardous solids.

As a resource to police and firefighters, the National Response Center helps coordinate emergency response to chemical hazards.

While shippers of hazardous materials are responsible for providing necessary placards, it is the driver's responsibility to actually place them on the vehicle.

If you discover a cargo leak while transporting hazardous materials, use the shipping papers, label, or package location to identify which materials are involved. Do not try to touch or smell the leaking materials to determine what they are because doing so could result in injury or death.

If a cargo of hazardous materials begins to leak, do not move your vehicle any more than safety requires. If you continue to drive, an even larger area will become contaminated. Instead, you should park your vehicle, secure it, stay with the vehicle, and contact the proper emergency personnel. If you do not have access to a phone, you should send someone else to get help.

You should never transport damaged packages of explosives. Do not accept a package that seems damp or has an oily stain.

You should use a floor lining when transporting Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 materials. The floors must be tight and the liner must be made from either non-metallic material or non-ferrous metal. Non-ferrous metals are any metals that do not contain iron or iron alloys.

If you are transporting radioactive material and believe there is a leak or broken package in your cargo, you should tell your dispatcher or supervisor as quickly as possible. Do not touch or inhale the material. Do not use the vehicle until it has been cleaned or checked with a survey meter.

A hazardous material will fall into one of nine hazard classes. The material's hazard class reflects its associated risks.

If the words "Inhalation Hazard" appear on a package or its shipping paper, the "Poison Inhalation Hazard" or "Poison Gas" placards, as appropriate, must be displayed.

Class 1 hazardous materials are typically items that present certain explosion or fire hazards.

Radioactive materials are categorized as Class 7 hazardous materials.

To obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, you must pass a background check conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).