Transporting liquids and chemicals by truck is one mode of transportation manufacturers utilize to receive resources needed to make their product. Chemicals transported on American highways fall under one of nine hazardous material classes established by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 Part 173.2: explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizers, poisons, radioactive materials, corrosive liquids, miscellaneous and other regulated material. Title 49 CFR serves to protect citizens by establishing regulations that companies transporting liquids by truck must adhere.

Transporting liquids and chemicals by truck to meet the safety standards of United States Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (Title 49 CFR) includes:

1. Ensuring you hire properly licensed and trained drivers

2. Placing appropriate placards

3. Training employees on chemical transportation safety

Action Steps
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Employ drivers that have the necessary qualifications to operate liquid and chemical trucks

Drivers involved with the transportation of chemicals must have their Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

I recommend: Refer to the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to review the requirements needed to obtain a Commercial Drivers License. Truck Driving Schools such as the Truck Driver Institute can provide one with the necessary training. One should be cognizant of criminal offenses provided by the CDL Digest that disqualify one from transporting hazardous materials.

Place the appropriate placards when transporting liquids and chemicals by truck

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations require that hazardous materials placards be used during chemical transport so in the event of an accident or other situation, emergency response personnel know what liquids they are dealing with and respond accordingly.

I recommend: The United States Department of Transportation provides an Emergency Response Guidebook that lists the four-digit UN number for hazardous materials. ShippingLabels.com sells placard holders and labels identifying the materials in the liquid chemical transport that you can purchase.

Provide training to employees on transporting liquids and chemicals by truck basics

The United States Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations requires that employees (including those individuals transporting chemicals by truck) receive hazmat training within three years of their previous training. Make sure they are knowledgeable about the chemicals they are transporting and what action to take should an accident or leak occurs.

I recommend: Online training programs such as Mastery Technologies and Compliance Solutions allow employees to meet the requirements of Title 49 CFR at their leisure.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be proactive in preventing accidents involving vehicles that transport chemicals by performing routine maintenance, checking the integrity of the tank to ensure there are no leaks and providing drivers with driver education courses, in addition to the required Title 49 CFR training. Participating in driver education courses not only helps improve one's driving habits, but may also allow you to receive a discount on your insurance premium.

Transporting liquids and chemicals by truck requires a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with hazardous material and tanker endorsements. Training from a recognized truck driving school is required for employment by most trucking companies, and some ask for a few years of driving experience without an accident or major driving violation. Expect to pass a physical, drug screen, provide your work history and allow a background check before employment.

Give special attention to the road when you're transporting liquids by truck. Slow down well in advance because liquid will surge. Be cautious on curves. Centrifugal force can tip the truck over. Liquids can get out of balance and cause an accident.

Follow the hazardous material rules while you're transporting chemicals by truck. Carry a hazardous material handbook in case of a chemical spill, and use the information to determine which hazardous material placard to place on your truck. Shipping paperwork must describe the chemicals you are hauling. When transporting liquids and chemicals by truck, consider the following:

1. Find an accredited school and prepare for employment eligibility.

2. Continue preparation to meet the employment requirements of liquid bulk trucking companies.

3. Learn and follow rules and regulations for chemical transportation.

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Prepare for the job of transporting liquids and chemicals by truck

Attend driving school before you begin transporting liquids and chemicals by truck. Some companies will consider hiring you for bulk liquid transport after you graduate from truck driving school, and the company will usually give you a written and driving test. Drive for at least two years commercially to gain experience before most companies will consider hiring you for transporting chemicals.

I recommend: Find a technical college near your home that provides a commercial driver's license class and truck driver's training at Top Colleges. Contact Werner Enterprises for a job, continued training using a simulator that puts you in numerous driving scenarios, and on-the-road experience. Hire on with Jack B. Kelley, Inc. for a chemical transport job.

Fill the requirements for liquid chemical transport employment

Complete your application, pay the required fee and submit fingerprints to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for a threat assessment background check before you apply for your hazardous material endorsement. Study the trucking manual to learn the rules and laws of driving a tanker and safe procedures to follow for the transportation of chemicals. Pass a written test to receive the tanker and hazardous material endorsements on your Class A CDL.

I recommend: Apply for the TSA hazardous material endorsement background check using the government's Wild Life License website application. Use the AplusB Software Corporation truck driving manual and study products to prepare for your CDL and special endorsement tests.

Know the procedure when you work in chemical transportation

Transporting liquids and chemicals by truck requires additional training by your employer and demands you follow correct procedure. Keep your shipping papers within reach of the driver's seat at all times. When you get out of the truck these papers must be in the driver's pocket or on the driver's seat. Carry an Emergency Response Guidebook at all times.

I recommend: Plan your trip in advance because hazardous loads are restricted regarding places to stop, park and drive. ALK Technologies offers PC Miler software to help you plan your trip when you transport chemicals by truck. Order the necessary Emergency Response Guidebook from J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Put a paper clip on the page of the Emergency Response Guidebook that describes emergency information regarding the chemical you are carrying. Keep the book in the pocket of the driver's door or on the seat when you're transporting chemicals.

All employees and businesses that handle transporting liquids and chemicals by truck have to follow Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) that follow Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Law. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires this training to increase safety awareness and to work to decrease hazardous materials spill incidents.

Because the transportation of chemicals can have potentially catastrophic consequences if not handled properly, laws have been put in place to keep both society and the environment safe. To keep these laws enforced, though, requires proper transporting liquids and chemicals by truck education and training on your part as an employee, an employer or as a sole proprietor. Everyone in the industry shares the responsibility of keeping the roads safe while transporting liquids by truck, and education and training are the first steps in the process.

To make the most of chemical transporting education and training:

1. Start with transportation of chemicals basics.

2. Check out government resources on chemical transportation.

3. Take advantage of additional tips on transporting chemicals.

Action Steps
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Begin with basic information on transporting chemicals

Familiarize yourself with basics of transportation of chemicals. Without delving into training materials, start with understanding why chemicals are moved and how.

I recommend: Start with information provided by the International Programme on Chemical Safety, part of an organization that is one of the largest international labor education program in the world. The U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides a look at the potential flammability hazard associated with the bulk transport of oilfield exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids.

Take advantage of government resources on chemical transportation

Find out what federal regulation information is available and what they recommend for training on the matter. Government resources are always tremendous, reliable sources for information since they are the moderators and keepers of the regulations.

I recommend: Obtain Hazardous Materials Safety training through U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration seminars, workshops and other meetings to help meet your self-training and in-person training requirements. Use the same organization's one-stop online Library of information to find additional training and resource topics such as frequently asked questions and training materials order forms. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also offers safety information in their efforts to reduce hazardous materials accidents.

Look for additional tips on transporting chemicals

Find out what additional industry tips and information are available to businesses.

I recommend: GoatThroat offers a list of tips and advice that are specific to their brand of pump, but these tips can be generalized for liquid and chemical transportation applications as well. The Safety Daily Adviser offers the ABC's of Safe Chemical Transport. Learn about training requirements, packaging requirements and transport chemicals requirements.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You should also find out what resources are available on transporting chemicals through your state's government site as well. Regulations and information may vary slightly from state to state, and you want to make sure that you are compliant for chemical transporting in your home/travel area.