Commercial Driver Handbook ( PDF ) - California Department of ...

Radioactive materials. If a leak or broken package
involves radioactive materials, notify your
dispatcher or supervisor as soon as possible. If
there is a spill, or if an internal container might
be damaged, do not touch or inhale the material.
Do not use the vehicle until it is decontaminated
and checked with a survey meter.
The National Response Center helps coordinate
emergency response to chemical hazards. They
are a resource to the local police and fire fighters.
Their 24-hour toll free number is 1-800-424-8802
or within California, 1-800-852-7550. The person
in charge of a vehicle involved in a collision may
have to phone the National Response Center. The
call will be in addition to any made to police or fire
fighters. You or your employer must phone when
any of the following occurs as a direct result of
hazardous materials incident:
• There is spill or release of a reportable quantity
(RQ) hazardous substance.
• A person is killed.
• A person receives injuries requiring
hospitalization.
• Estimated carrier or other property damage
exceeds $50,000.
• The general public is evacuated for one or
more hours.
• One or more major transportation arteries or
facilities are closed or shut down for one hour
or more.
• Fire, breakage, spillage, or suspected radioactive
contamination occurs and/or involves
a shipment of etiologic agents (bacteria or
toxins).
• A situation (e.g., continuing danger to life
exists at the scene of an incident) that, in the
judgment of the carrier, should be reported.
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The person making the immediate telephone report
should be ready to give:
• His or her name.
• Name and address of the carrier.
• Phone number where someone can be reached.
• Date, time, and location of incident.
• The extent of injuries, if any.
• Classification, name, and quantity of hazardous
materials involved, if such information is
available.
• Type of incident and nature of hazardous substance
involvement and whether a continuing
danger to life exists at the scene.
• If a reportable quantity of hazardous substance
was involved, the caller should give the
following:
— the name of the shipper.
— the quantity of the hazardous substance
discharged.
You should know these immediate reporting
requirements so you can give your employer the
required information. Carriers must also make
detailed written reports within 30 days.
The Chemical Transportation Emergency Center
(CHEMTREC) in Washington D.C. also has a 24
hour toll free line (1-800-424-9300). CHEMTREC
was established to provide emergency personnel
with technical information about the physical
properties of hazardous products. The National
Response Center and CHEMTREC are in close
communication. If you call either one, they will
tell the other about the problem, when appropriate.
California immediate spill reporting
Spills of hazardous materials on California highways
must be reported immediately to the CHP
office or police department having traffic control
jurisdiction (CVC §23112.5).