Hazardous Material Guidelines

 General Requirements

  1. All material must be properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment according to DOT regulations.
     
  2. Packages must be blocked and braced to prevent them from:
    1. changing position
    2. falling to the floor
    3. sliding into each other
       
  3. Paperwork must have proper description, classification, and weight.

Placards

  1. Placards must be a minimum of 4' above the bottom rail of equipment. Recommended height is 6' above the bottom rail.
     
  2. It's recommended that placards be placed at least five (5) feet from the ends of container.
     
  3. Placards are required for any quantity of the following classes:
    1. explosives (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)
    2. gases (2.3)
    3. reactive solids/liquids (4.3)
    4. organic peroxide type B (5.2)
    5. poisonous zone A & B (6.1)
    6. radioactive yellow III label (7)
       
  4. Placards are required when transporting 1001 lbs. (454 kg.) or more of the following:
    1. explosives (1.4)
    2. very insensitive explosives (1.5)
    3. extremely insensitive explosives (1.6)
    4. flammable gas (2.1)
    5. nonflammable, non-poisonous gas (2.2)
    6. corrosive gas (2.4)
    7. flammable liquid (3)
    8. flammable solid (4.1)
    9. spontaneously combustible material (4.2)
    10. oxidizer (5.1)
    11. organic peroxide other than type B (5.2)
    12. poisonous or toxic material (6.1)
    13. PG III (harmful) (6.1)
    14. corrosive material (8)
    15. miscellaneous hazardous material (9)
       
  5. Placards are not required for:
    1. class 6.2 (infectious substances)
    2. ORM-D
    3. division 1.4S
    4. limited quantity (LTD QTY) shipments when identified as such on shipping papers
    5. hazardous material shipments (from 2D only) weighing less than 1001 lbs (454 kg)
    6. combustible liquids in non-bulk packaging
    7. intermodal tanks which have been cleaned of residue and purged of vapor to remove any hazard
    8. radioactive white I and yellow II labels
    9. cryogenic atmospheric gases, other than oxygen (example: argon)
       
  6. Placards may be displayed, even when not required, as long as they are appropriate for the shipment.

Securement Requirements

  1. Minimum 2 x 6 inch lumber required for:
    1. floor blocking
    2. lateral blocking
    3. rear gates
       
  2. Nails and nailing:
    1. minimum 16d nails are required for all floor blocking
    2. stagger nails side to side, not in a straight line; not more than 5 inches apart
    3. drive nails straight at 90 degree angle to floor
       
  3. Separator between layers on double-stack loads must be 1/2 inch plywood.
     
  4. Bull boards and "T" braces are acceptable methods of securement:
    1. must use quantity of boards to secure weight of lading
    2. buffer material should be positioned between lading and boards (1/2" plywood)
    3. do not cover outside view of bull boards
       
  5. Ty-Gard barriers are acceptable for securement of hazardous lading.
    1. sufficient quantity of barriers must be used to secure weight of load
    2. split load into two or three sections and apply two Ty-Gard barriers per section
    3. apply tape to barriers to insure they maintain position against lading
       
  6. Methods that are not acceptable for securement of hazardous materials are:
    1. disposable inflatable dunnage bags
    2. doors used for securement
    3. unsecured partial double layers