Driver (CDL) - Loading and Unloading Class 1 Explosive Materials

The following are requirements to be followed when loading and unloading Class 1 Explosive Materials:

• The motor vehicle engine must not be running.
• Do not use bale hooks or other metal tools during handling process.
• Do not throw, drop, or roll these packages and containers, unless they are barrels or kegs.
• Take care to secure tarpaulins by means of rope, wire, or other efficient tie downs.
• Use caution to ensure these packages do not catch fire from sparks or hot gases emitted near the exhaust tailpipe.
• Tailgates must remain fully closed with exceptions when transporting liquid nitroglycerin or diethylene glycol dinitrate.

Do not load Division 1.1 and 1.2 materials onto any vehicle or a combination of vehicles if there are more than two cargo carrying vehicles in the combination, a full trailer in the combination has a wheel base of less than 184 inches, or a vehicle in the combination is a cargo tank that is required to be marked or placarded under §177.823.

Do not also load Division 1.1 and 1.2 materials if the other vehicle not bearing HAZMAT materials in the combination contains any:

• Substances, explosives, N.O.S., Division 1A materials
• Packages of Class 7 materials bearing Yellow III labels
• Division 2.3, Hazard Zone A or Hazard Zone B materials
• Division 6.1, PG I, Hazard Zone A materials
• Hazardous materials in a portable tank or a DOT specification 106A or 110 tank

There must be no sharp projections within the cargo area of a vehicle carrying Class 1 - Explosive Materials, and the trailer must have a tight floor, with the inside surfaces lined with metallic or non-ferrous materials. The cargo must remain in the body of the vehicle.

Motor vehicles transporting Class 1 - Explosive Materials must not transport any metal or other articles likely to damage the explosive material, unless the load is segregated and secured in place in or on the motor vehicle and separated by bulkheads or likewise means to prevent such damage.

Class 1 - Explosive Materials must not be transferred from one container to another or from one motor vehicle to another during transport, except in case of emergency.

These materials must be attended to in accordance with §397.5. Loading and unloading requirements are found in §177.835.

Note that on June 2, 2016, PHMSA issued a final ruling that removes the Packing Group (PGII) designation for Class 1 materials. This ruling went into effect on July 5, 2016.

To learn more about CDL HAZMAT Transportation visit our DOT Driver (CDL) HAZMAT Transportation Online Training web page.