4.2 Accidents, Spills & Fires

The Driver's Priorities at an Incident

In any hazmat emergency the driver follows a fixed priority order. The exam repeatedly asks what comes first — the answer is always personal and public safety, never the cargo or the paperwork.

1. Protect yourself. Stop in the safest place available. Stay upwind, uphill, and upstream of any release. Do not breathe fumes, touch the material, or walk through spilled product.
2. Protect the area and keep people away. Warn bystanders and oncoming traffic, and move everyone back. Keep arriving people out of the danger zone using the ERG's isolation distances.
3. Prevent ignition sources. Shut off the engine. Keep flares, cigarettes, and other open flames well away. Do not use road flares near flammable or combustible spills — use reflective triangles instead.
4. Notify. Call 911 and your dispatcher/carrier. Give the location, the hazard, and the ERG guide number from the shipping papers.
5. Provide information, then stand by. Hand responders the shipping papers and ERG. Do not leave the scene unless ordered to.

Remember: a CDL driver is not a trained hazmat technician. The goal is to limit harm and get qualified help, not to resolve the chemical hazard.

Handling Leaks and Spills

If you discover a leak — in transit, at a stop, or when opening a trailer — follow these rules:

• Identify before you act. Use the shipping papers and ERG to learn the material and its hazards before approaching. A leak could be toxic, flammable, or both.
• Do not touch or handle the material. Never walk through it, step in it, or try to absorb or wash it away. Some chemicals react violently with water — washing a spill without consulting the ERG can cause fire, toxic gas, or an explosion.
• Do not move a leaking package to another part of the load. Containing it is the job of trained responders.
• Never move the vehicle except the short distance required to protect life — for example, off a crowded roadway. Moving a leaking vehicle can spread contamination over a wide area and is otherwise prohibited.
• Report the leak even after parking. If you discover hazmat is leaking, do not just park and walk away. Get help, secure the scene, and stay nearby to warn people and brief responders.
• For a small leak that can be stopped safely (such as snugging a loose valve), a driver may do so — but only after identifying the material and confirming it is safe. When in doubt, call for help.

Tire Fires and Cargo Fires

Tires are a leading cause of truck fires, and a fire near a placarded load is extremely dangerous.

Tire fires

If you have a dual-tire fire, do not stand close and spray it with your extinguisher — a heated tire and wheel can explode with great force. Pull off to a safe, remote spot away from buildings and people, move well clear, warn others, and call 911. The ERG advises against trying to extinguish a burning tire on a hazmat vehicle.

Cargo fires

Do not open the trailer doors if the cargo may be on fire — adding air can make the fire flare up. With a hazmat cargo fire:

• Do not try to fight it with a portable extinguisher; it is no match for a developed fire and the load could explode or release toxic fumes.
• Do not drive a burning vehicle to a fire station — that spreads the danger.
• Do not try to unhitch and drive away the tractor; that is a high-risk action.
• Warn others, move to a safe distance, and call for emergency help. Tell responders what is burning so they bring the right equipment.

Using a Fire Extinguisher and Emergency Equipment

When the extinguisher is useful

A portable extinguisher is meant for a small, early-stage fire — for example, a small fire in the engine compartment or a tire fire caught at the very start (before evacuation is required). To use it: get the extinguisher, stay upwind, aim at the base of the flames, and be ready to back away. If the fire is growing, involves the cargo, or you cannot fight it safely, stop and evacuate.

Required emergency equipment

A placarded commercial vehicle must carry, in working order:

• A fire extinguisher properly rated and charged (a vehicle carrying hazmat needs at least a UL-rated extinguisher; minimum ratings are higher than for non-hazmat trucks).
• Spare electrical fuses, unless the vehicle uses circuit breakers.
• Warning devices for a stopped vehicle: three bidirectional reflective triangles. Use triangles, not burning flares, near flammable hazmat.
• The shipping papers and a copy of the ERG, both within the driver's reach while seated.

Check this equipment during the pre-trip inspection. A defective extinguisher or missing triangles can put both you and the public at risk during an emergency.