Question 1

If your vehicle carrying hazardous materials is involved in an accident, your first priority is to:

Accepted Answer

Safety is paramount. Your primary duty is to protect the public by keeping them away from the scene and warning them of the hazard (e.g., using triangles, horn, shouting).

Question 2

The 'Emergency Response Guidebook' (ERG) is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

The ERG is a guide for first responders (and drivers) to quickly identify hazards and determine evacuation distances and emergency procedures during the initial phase of an incident.

Question 3

If you are transporting explosives and your vehicle catches fire, you should:

Accepted Answer

If the cargo (explosives) is in danger of catching fire, do not attempt to fight it. The risk of detonation is too high. Evacuate the area immediately.

Question 4

If you have a fire in the cargo area of a van trailer carrying hazmat, you should:

Accepted Answer

Opening the doors introduces oxygen, which can cause the fire to flare up or explode (backdraft). Keep doors closed to starve the fire and check if the trailer walls are hot.

Question 5

The National Response Center (NRC) must be notified immediately if an incident involves:

Accepted Answer

Immediate notification to the NRC is required for fatalities, serious injuries, major property damage ($50k+), or RQ releases.

Question 6

In the ERG, which section would you look up a material by its 4-digit UN ID number?

Accepted Answer

The Yellow-bordered pages list materials numerically by UN ID number.

Question 7

In the ERG, which section lists materials alphabetically by shipping name?

Accepted Answer

The Blue-bordered pages list materials alphabetically by name.

Question 8

If a material is highlighted in GREEN in the ERG, it indicates:

Accepted Answer

Green-highlighted entries are Toxic Inhalation Hazards. You must refer to the Green section for initial isolation and protective action distances.

Question 9

When fighting a tire fire on a placarded vehicle, you should:

Accepted Answer

Water is the best agent for tire fires because they burn hot and deep. A large quantity of water is needed to cool the tire and prevent re-ignition.

Question 10

If you are transporting Flammable Liquids and a spill occurs, you should:

Accepted Answer

Containment is key. Prevent flammable liquids from entering drains/sewers where vapors can accumulate and explode. Also, avoid ignition sources.

Question 11

If you discover a leak in a cargo tank of Flammable Liquid while driving, you should:

Accepted Answer

Do not drive a leaking vehicle further than necessary to reach safety. Park away from people and ignition sources.

Question 12

CHEMTREC is:

Accepted Answer

CHEMTREC (Chemical Transportation Emergency Center) provides 24/7 technical information and support during hazmat incidents.

Question 13

When warning others of a hazmat emergency, you should keep bystanders:

Accepted Answer

Always keep people upwind (so wind blows fumes away from them) and uphill (so liquids flow away from them).

Question 14

If you are involved in a collision and your vehicle is carrying Class 7 Radioactive Material, you should:

Accepted Answer

Do not handle broken packages. Establish a perimeter and wait for specialists. Radiation protection relies on Time, Distance, and Shielding.

Question 15

If a Compressed Gas (Division 2.1) leak catches fire:

Accepted Answer

If you extinguish a gas fire without stopping the leak, unburned gas will accumulate and can cause a massive explosion. Let it burn while cooling the tank.

Question 16

To effectively use a fire extinguisher, follow the PASS method:

Accepted Answer

PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

Question 17

You should stop and check your dual tires at least:

Accepted Answer

For hazmat loads, tire checks are required every 2 hours or 100 miles to catch overheating early.

Question 18

If you spill a hazardous material that is NOT a Reportable Quantity (RQ), do you still need to notify anyone?

Accepted Answer

Even if a spill is below the federal RQ, state and local laws often require reporting of any hazmat release to local police or environmental agencies.

Question 19

What information must you provide when reporting a hazmat incident?

Accepted Answer

The report must be detailed enough for responders to understand the scope and specific hazards of the incident.

Question 20

When interacting with emergency responders, you must provide them with:

Accepted Answer

The shipping papers and the emergency response info (ERG page/SDS) are the critical tools responders need to fight the hazard safely.

Question 21

If hazardous material is spilling from your vehicle, you should move the vehicle:

Accepted Answer

Do not move a leaking vehicle any more than strictly necessary to reach a safe spot, to minimize the spread of contamination.

Question 22

Which type of fire extinguisher is designed for electrical fires?

Accepted Answer

Class C extinguishers are for electrical fires. (B:C or A:B:C are common on trucks).

Question 23

If a Class 8 (Corrosive) liquid splashes on your skin, you should:

Accepted Answer

Immediate flushing with water dilutes and removes the chemical, minimizing tissue damage.

Question 24

A 'Safe Haven' is used during an emergency involving:

Accepted Answer

While 'Safe Haven' generally refers to approved parking for explosives, in an emergency, drivers may be directed to safe areas by authorities.

Question 25

The Orange Section of the ERG contains:

Accepted Answer

The Orange pages are the most important part of the ERG, containing the numbered Safety Guides telling responders what to do (e.g., Guide 128 for Flammable Liquids).

Hazmat Emergencies Practice Questions

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