Everyday Hazmat User’s Training Guide, Page 26

Everyday Hazmat User's Training Guide

Section III Hazardous Materials Management (continued)

Compressed Gases (continued)

Transportation

Requirements depend on the amount of compressed gases being transported. These requirements include placarding, the type of vehicle that can be used, and the types of roads that can be traveled. Transportation by aircraft must be coordinated with aircraft owners or operators. Transportation of compressed gases by aircraft is discussed in chapter 6 of Interagency Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials.

USDA Forest Service-Operated Pickups and Trucks

Shipping papers are required when transporting a total weight of more than 440 pounds (including cylinders) of most corrosive, flammable, oxidizer, and inert gases (such as ammonia, acetylene, oxygen, argon, nitrogen, butane, and propane) or when transporting any cylinder that weighs 220 pounds or more (including the cylinder). See your hazmat coordinator for details.
Regardless of how much hazardous materials are being shipped, the driver must be informed of types of products and their quantities.
Remember, to avoid the complexities of shipping papers, placarding, and emergency response training, keep the total weight of all hazardous materials below 440 pounds and the weight of each cylinder below 220 pounds.
Do not park a vehicle loaded with LPG inside a building.
No smoking while loading and unloading.
Use care to avoid dropping cylinders during loading and unloading.

General Requirements

Do not transport cylinders in closed-body vehicles.
Ventilate shipping compartments.
Secure cylinders with racks, boxes, cartons, or lashing.
Transport cylinders upright with all valves closed and protected.
Do not transport compressed gases with incompatible materials.
Use the labels, FLAMMABLE GASES, NON-FLAMMABLE GAS, OXYGEN, or INHALATION HAZARD, as appropriate.
Use vehicle placards if you are transporting 1,001 pounds or more of compressed gases or any quantity of compressed gas that represents an inhalation hazard.
If the load is 1,001 pounds or more, the driver must have a commercial driver�s license, hazmat endorsement, a medical certificate, and training.
Carry a fire extinguisher (18 pounds, B:C) in a vehicle transporting LPG.
Do not transport leaking cylinders.

Image of a diamond-shaped red hazard material placard that reads: FLAMMABLE GAS. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a flame sits at the top corner.

Image of a diamond-shaped green hazard material placard that reads: NON-FLAMMABLE GAS. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign.

Image of a diamond-shaped yellow hazard material placard that reads: OXYGEN. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a flame sits at the top corner.

Image of a diamond-shaped white hazard material placard with a black border that reads: INHALATION HAZARD. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a skull and crossbones sits at the top corner inside a black diamond.

Vehicle Placards

Examples of Compressed Gases Used in the USDA Forest Service
Compressed Gases	UN (United Nations) Identification Number
Corrosive (and Poisonous) Gases
Anhydrous ammonia (nonflammable)
Flammable Gases
Acetylene
Oxidizing Gases
Oxygen (nonflammable)
Inert Gases
Argon
Nitrogen
Liquefied Petroleum Gases
Butane
Propane

If you have anything other than the products shown above, contact your hazmat coordinator for specific guidance�restrictions and dangers may be significantly higher than for the compressed gases described here