Question:
Sooner or later the majority of drivers will end up hauling a load that must be placarded. Most of the haz mat the average driver comes into contact with is not of the explosive or radio active variety, but rather items such as cleaning supplies, paints, pool chemicals. Items the average person has in their garage or under thier sink. Even so the regs are very plain on the handling, packaging, labeling, and transporting of hazardous materials.
Here are a few suggestions for you when you find yourself hauling a haz mat load.
1. Especially if it has been a while since you have hauled haz mat take a few minutes to review the general regualtions. Refresh your memeory.
2. Make sure the load is properly secured with bracing, load locks, straps, etc.
3. Make sure you have at least 2 copies of the BOL before leaving the shipper. That way you can be sure to leave 1 copy in the vehicle at all times. If for some reason you find yourself with only one copy be sure to leave it in the vehicle until such a time as you arrive at the reciever.
4. If possible get at least 2 extra placards for each type of haz mat you are hauling in that trip. This is to help you in case you would happen to loose a placard during the trip.
5. Do not remove the placards from your vehicle until all that particualr haz mat has been removed from the trailer and you have the bills in hand, have shut the doors and are ready to leave.
6. Place a copy of your bills, the ones you are leaving in the truck at all times while in transit, inside your emergency response guide book as a place marker for that particular item. Also be sure to take a moment to read the emergency info in that book for the haz mat material you are hauling.
7. When hauling muliple haz mat classes look up each class/item and ensure that it can be hauled with the other items.
8. If anything does not seem right to you talk with your company and the shipper. Do not leave the shipper until you are 100% sure that everything is in order. Once you are on the road it is your butt on the line.
9. Be extra sure that you have done your vehicle inspections and that EVERYTHING is in order.
Final Note: It is not unheard of for scale personel to either pull you around back and tell you to bring your paperwork in while hauling hazmat. While you are doing this another officer will be making his way to your truck to see if you have a copy of the bills in the truck. Also some scale houses have drive up windows. They may request to see your paperwork there and then hang on to it while they tell you to park and come in for the same purpose.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Good post... I'll add to it by saying you should also use duct tape to secure the placards in the holders. Prevents them from flying out unbeknownst to you and perhaps causing some grief down the road.
Just use the tape on the edge of the placard, do NOT put tape over anything but the white edge. The idea here is to not obscure even 1/4 inch of that sign.

Answer:
One thing though. I have found that the clear carton sealing tape works better than duct tape. That way no one can accuse you of "changing the dimensions" of the sign in case you get a little sloppy in the tape job.
For those of you who are not familar with this type of tape it comes in a roll the same size as duct tape, but looks just like scotch (transparent) tape, but is twice as sticky. Just be sure to fold over the edge when you are done otherwise you will never find it next time you need to use it.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
What do you do when you get a preloaded trailer that say's "General Department Store Merchandise" in cluding paint, food, cleaning products?
"clear carton sealing tape works better than duct tape" Very bad choice, wont stay attached to slick surface of trailer and won't hold up in wet stormy conditions. It barely stays attached to boxes. It does stick to itself nicely though.
Most companies/shippers now days will give you a peel and stick placard to use. Mainly because most bigger companies order new trailers without the placard holder. No need for tape on these. They are very sticky. It is not advisable to peel the entire back off and stick it on. It can be very hard to remove and pulls the paint off the trailer. All that is needed is to peel the outside edges off and then stick it on. I've done it and it works great.
"There is just something about fresh winter snow and a river. The day is bright even if it is cloudy, the water is friendly even if it is cold and the fish are there even if they are not biting."
[This message was edited by Stuffs on October 20, 2003 at 18:40.]

Answer:

_"clear carton sealing tape works better than duct tape"_ Very bad choice, wont stay attached to slick surface of trailer and won't hold up in wet stormy conditions. It barely stays attached to boxes. It does stick to itself nicely though.
Are you sure you have tired the totally CLEAR tape, and not the stuff that is semi transparent with the cloth in it. I have used it (the clear stuff) several times over the past few years and never had a problem with it not sticking to the trailer. Just make sure the trailer is fairly clean and dry first. It wont stick to dirt as well as duct tape will. LOL I even used the clear stuff a few times for "emergency" window repairs in a 4 wheeler (taping the window up in place) that had to stay like that for weeks.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Originally posted by Stuffs:
What do you do when you get a preloaded trailer that say's "General Department Store Merchandise" in cluding paint, food, cleaning products?. . . . .
Check the shippers declaration/certification and review the hazmat rules. Divisions and weights should be clearly listed, and put the hazmat stuff on top of the list. Odds are that the shipper did it correctly, but the driver is responsible for at least reviewing the paperwork.
And if it's not a sealed load, the driver is responsible for more than that
Be extra vigilant for any human/animal foodstuffs shipped in a mixed load with hazmat (poisons come to mind, but there are probably others).
And Mr. Smartypants fresh from CDL Instruction Permit mentions stopping at railroad tracks...