A commercial driver is transporting a shipment that includes 1,000 pounds of non-flammable oxygen (Division 2.2) and 500 pounds of corrosive liquid (Class 8). The driver must ensure the vehicle is placarded with which of the following?
- AOnly a 'NON-FLAMMABLE GAS' placard.
- BNo placards are required for this shipment.
- COnly a 'CORROSIVE' placard.
- DBoth 'NON-FLAMMABLE GAS' and 'CORROSIVE' placards.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Only a 'CORROSIVE' placard.
Even though Division 2.2 (non-flammable gas) qualifies for placarding at 1,001 pounds, Class 8 (corrosive) is a 'table 1' material that requires placarding for any quantity, thus overriding the non-flammable gas placarding requirement unless the non-flammable gas is in bulk packaging. Since the corrosive material is present, a 'CORROSIVE' placard is mandatory.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect because corrosive materials (Class 8) are Table 1 materials and require placarding regardless of quantity, overriding the need for a Non-Flammable Gas placard unless the gas is in bulk packaging.
- B. This is incorrect. Corrosive materials (Class 8) are Table 1 materials and require placarding for any quantity, so placards are definitely required.
- D. This is incorrect because if a Table 1 material (Corrosive) is present, its placard is required. The non-flammable gas placard is not required in this scenario unless it is in bulk packaging, or if it were the only material exceeding 1,001 lbs and no Table 1 materials were present.
Placarding Rules for Mixed Loads
When transporting multiple hazardous materials, placarding requirements depend on the hazard class, quantity, and packaging type of each material, with specific rules for 'Table 1' vs. 'Table 2' materials.
- Table 1 materials require placarding for ANY quantity.
- Table 2 materials require placarding if 1,001 lbs or more of all Table 2 materials are transported (aggregate gross weight).
- If a vehicle contains any quantity of a Table 1 material, it must be placarded for that material, and placards for Table 2 materials are generally not required unless the Table 2 material is in bulk packaging.
Memory trick: Placards are like a hazmat billboard; Table 1 materials always get a spot, Table 2 materials need to hit the weight limit.