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The Hazardous Materials Table, ID numbers and the two appendix lists

Hazardous Materials (H)4 minManual section 9.3.3

Before you haul a material, check three lists: the Hazardous Materials Table, Appendix A (hazardous substances and reportable quantities) and Appendix B (marine pollutants). A material may be on all three or only one.

Identification numbers

An identification number is a four-digit code first responders use to identify hazardous materials. One ID number may be used for more than one chemical.

The letters UN, NA or ID come before the number. NA numbers are used only within the U.S. and to and from Canada. ID numbers go with names recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for air transport. UN numbers are international.

You will find the ID number in the shipping description on the paper and on the package, and it is also required on cargo tanks and other bulk packaging. Fire and police crews rely on it to know the product quickly.

The DOT's Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) shows which ID number goes with which chemical.

Reading the Hazardous Materials Table

Column 1 shows which shipping mode(s) an entry affects and other facts about the description. Six symbols may appear:

  • (+) – use this proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group even if the material does not meet the class definition.
  • (A) – the HMR cover it only for air shipments (except when it is also a hazardous substance or hazardous waste).
  • (W) – the HMR cover it only for water shipments (except hazardous substances, hazardous wastes and marine pollutants).
  • (D) – name is right for domestic transport but may not be right for international.
  • (I) – name used for international transport; a different name may be used domestically.
  • (G) – a generic shipping name. It must be followed on the shipping paper by a technical name (the specific chemical that makes the product hazardous).

Column 2 – proper shipping names and descriptions, in alphabetical order. Proper shipping names are in regular (Roman) type; names in italics are not proper shipping names. The shipping paper must use the proper shipping name.

Column 3 – the hazard class or division, or the word “Forbidden.” Never transport a Forbidden material.

Column 4 – the identification number (UN, NA or ID).

Column 5 – the packing group, in Roman numerals (I, II, III).

Column 6 – the hazard warning label(s) the shipper must put on packages. Some products need more than one label because they have more than one hazard.

Column 7 – special provisions. If there is an entry, look up the rule. The numbers 1–6 here mean the material is a poison inhalation hazard (PIH), with special rules for shipping papers, marking and placards.

Column 8 – a three-part column with the section numbers for packaging requirements.

Columns 9 and 10 do not apply to highway transport.

Appendix A: hazardous substances and RQ

The DOT and the EPA need to be told when hazardous substances are spilled. Those products appear in the List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities (Appendix A to 49 CFR 172.101).

Column 2 of this list gives each product's reportable quantity (RQ), in pounds and kilograms (for example 10 lb / 4.54 kg or 100 lb / 45.4 kg).

When a material is shipped in its RQ or more in one package, the shipper shows the letters RQ on the shipping paper and the package. The letters can be placed in front of or behind the basic description.

A spill at or above the RQ must be reported by you or your employer.

Inhalation hazard: when the paper or the package says INHALATION HAZARD, display the POISON INHALATION HAZARD or POISON GAS placards, in addition to any other placards for the hazard class, even for small amounts.

Appendix B: marine pollutants

Appendix B lists chemicals that are toxic to marine life. On the highway it matters only for a chemical in a container holding 119 gallons or more that the HMR does not already require to be placarded or labeled.

Bulk packages of a marine pollutant must show the Marine Pollutant marking: a white triangle showing a fish crossed out with an “X.” It is a marking, not a placard, and it must also be shown on the outside of the vehicle.

The shipping paper must also say “Marine Pollutant” near the description of the material.

References and scope

The topic reference is listed below. Sources support verification; the lesson itself is here. The current content needs technical and language review before public launch.

Manual reference: 9.3.3

Official CDL handbook · Utah ↗StatesOur editorial approach

Put it into practice

Educational questions with explanations. The answer review also works without the interactive quiz.

Preparing your questions…

Review questions with answers

  1. Hazmat identification numbers are:
    1. Two-letter codes
    2. Four-digit codes used by first responders
    3. The shipper's phone number
    4. Truck license numbers
    Show answer
    Four-digit codes used by first responders

    ID numbers are four-digit codes used to identify hazmat.

  2. ID numbers that begin with “NA” are used:
    1. Only for air shipments
    2. Worldwide
    3. Only within the U.S. and to and from Canada
    4. Only for hazardous waste
    Show answer
    Only within the U.S. and to and from Canada

    NA numbers are for shipments within the U.S. and to/from Canada.

  3. One identification number can be used for more than one chemical.
    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer
    True

    True. An ID number may identify more than one chemical.

  4. Besides the shipping paper, where must the hazmat identification number appear?
    1. On the driver's license
    2. On the bill of the truck stop
    3. Only on the placard
    4. On the package, and on cargo tanks and other bulk packaging
    Show answer
    On the package, and on cargo tanks and other bulk packaging

    The ID number must be on the shipping paper, the package, and cargo tanks/bulk packaging.

  5. Which book lists chemicals and their assigned identification numbers for emergency responders?
    1. FMCSR Part 397
    2. Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
    3. The vehicle owner's manual
    4. The HOS logbook
    Show answer
    Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

    The DOT's Emergency Response Guidebook lists chemicals and their ID numbers.

  6. In the Hazardous Materials Table, names shown in italics are:
    1. Proper shipping names
    2. Forbidden materials
    3. Not proper shipping names
    4. International names only
    Show answer
    Not proper shipping names

    Proper shipping names are in regular (Roman) type; italics are not proper shipping names.

  7. If Column 3 of the Hazardous Materials Table says “Forbidden,” you should:
    1. Never transport the material
    2. Transport it only at night
    3. Use DANGEROUS placards
    4. Transport it in a cargo tank
    Show answer
    Never transport the material

    Never transport a Forbidden material.

  8. A “G” in Column 1 of the Hazardous Materials Table means:
    1. The material is a gas
    2. Ground transport only
    3. Good for international use
    4. A generic name that needs a technical name on the shipping paper
    Show answer
    A generic name that needs a technical name on the shipping paper

    G means a generic shipping name; it must be accompanied by a technical name.

  9. The symbol (A) in Column 1 means the material is subject to the HMR:
    1. Always
    2. Only for air shipments, except hazardous substances or wastes
    3. Only on highways
    4. Only in Alaska
    Show answer
    Only for air shipments, except hazardous substances or wastes

    (A) means subject to the HMR only by air, unless a hazardous substance or hazardous waste.

  10. The symbol (W) in Column 1 means the material is subject to the HMR only when shipped:
    1. By rail
    2. By highway
    3. By water, unless it is a hazardous substance, waste or marine pollutant
    4. In winter
    Show answer
    By water, unless it is a hazardous substance, waste or marine pollutant

    (W) means water transport only, with those exceptions.

  11. The (+) symbol in Column 1 tells you to:
    1. Use that shipping name, class and packing group even if the material does not meet the class definition
    2. Add extra placards
    3. Ship it by air only
    4. Double the RQ
    Show answer
    Use that shipping name, class and packing group even if the material does not meet the class definition

    (+) fixes the shipping name, class and packing group even if the class definition is not met.

  12. Which column of the Hazardous Materials Table shows the packing group?
    1. Column 2
    2. Column 3
    3. Column 6
    4. Column 5
    Show answer
    Column 5

    Column 5 shows the packing group in Roman numerals.

  13. Column 6 of the Hazardous Materials Table lists:
    1. Packaging sections
    2. Hazard warning labels required on packages
    3. Special provisions
    4. Reportable quantities
    Show answer
    Hazard warning labels required on packages

    Column 6 shows the label(s) shippers must put on packages.

  14. The numbers 1–6 in Column 7 (special provisions) mean the material is:
    1. Explosive
    2. Exempt
    3. A poison inhalation hazard (PIH)
    4. Non-hazardous
    Show answer
    A poison inhalation hazard (PIH)

    Numbers 1–6 in Column 7 mean a poison inhalation hazard with special rules.

  15. Which columns of the Hazardous Materials Table do not apply to highway transportation?
    1. Columns 9 and 10
    2. Columns 1 and 2
    3. Columns 4 and 5
    4. Columns 7 and 8
    Show answer
    Columns 9 and 10

    Columns 9 and 10 do not apply to highway transport.

  16. Appendix A to 49 CFR 172.101 is the list of:
    1. Marine pollutants
    2. Forbidden explosives
    3. Approved routes
    4. Hazardous substances and reportable quantities
    Show answer
    Hazardous substances and reportable quantities

    Appendix A is the List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities.

  17. When a hazardous substance is shipped in its reportable quantity or more in one package, the shipper shows:
    1. The word WASTE
    2. “RQ” on both the paper and the package
    3. A DANGEROUS placard
    4. Orange panels
    Show answer
    “RQ” on both the paper and the package

    RQ is displayed on the shipping paper and the package.

  18. Who must report a spill of a hazardous substance that is a reportable quantity or more?
    1. Only the shipper
    2. Only the consignee
    3. You or your employer
    4. No one, if it is cleaned up
    Show answer
    You or your employer

    A spill at or above the RQ must be reported by you or your employer.

  19. When the shipping paper says INHALATION HAZARD, the POISON INHALATION HAZARD or POISON GAS placard is displayed:
    1. In addition to other required placards, even for small amounts
    2. Only over 1,001 pounds
    3. Instead of all other placards
    4. Only on bulk packages
    Show answer
    In addition to other required placards, even for small amounts

    Always show the hazard class placard and the inhalation hazard placard, even for small amounts.

  20. The Marine Pollutant marking is:
    1. An orange square
    2. A red diamond with a flame
    3. A placard with the word POLLUTANT
    4. A white triangle showing a fish crossed out with an X
    Show answer
    A white triangle showing a fish crossed out with an X

    It is a white triangle with a crossed-out fish, and it is a marking, not a placard.

  21. For highway transport, the List of Marine Pollutants (Appendix B) is used only for chemicals in a container of:
    1. Any size
    2. 119 gallons or more, when the HMR do not already require a placard or label
    3. 55 gallons or less
    4. 1,000 pounds or less
    Show answer
    119 gallons or more, when the HMR do not already require a placard or label

    On highways, Appendix B applies to containers of 119 gallons or more that have no required placard or label.

  22. The shipping paper for a bulk marine pollutant must include:
    1. The notation “Marine Pollutant” near the description
    2. A drawing of a fish
    3. The word WASTE
    4. The Class 9 placard number
    Show answer
    The notation “Marine Pollutant” near the description

    A notation “Marine Pollutant” must be made near the description on the shipping papers.

  23. To choose the right placards (or none), which three facts must you know?
    1. Shipper name, consignee name, route
    2. Truck weight, trailer length, fuel type
    3. Material's hazard class, amount shipped, and total amount of all hazmat of all classes on the vehicle
    4. Packing group, label color, ERG page
    Show answer
    Material's hazard class, amount shipped, and total amount of all hazmat of all classes on the vehicle

    Placarding depends on hazard class, amount shipped, and total hazmat of all classes on board.