• Cargo tanks being unloaded or loaded with hazardous materials must be attended by a qualified person at all times.

Cargo tanks that are being loaded and unloaded with hazardous materials must be attended at all times by a qualified person. The person who is responsible for loading the cargo is also responsible for seeing that the vehicle is attended. However, the carrier’s obligation to oversee unloading ceases when the following conditions are met:

• The carrier’s transportation obligation is completed.
• The cargo tank is placed on the consignee’s premises.
• Motive power is removed from the cargo tank and the premises. (177.834)

A person is considered attending a cargo tank only if, throughout the process:

1. Except for specific unloading operations for Combustible Liquids, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, and Anhydrous Ammonia, the person:
   • Is alert,
   • Is within 25 feet (7.62 meters) of the cargo tank, and
   • Has an unobstructed view of the cargo tank and delivery hose to the maximum extent practicable during unloading.
   
   OR
2. The qualified person observes all loading or unloading operations by electronic surveillance from a remote-control station and the following are met:
   • The video monitoring camera provides an unobstructed view of all equipment involved, The surveillance system provides surveillance at least equal to a human observer,
   • Shut-off valves are operable from a remote-control station,
   • Upon loss of electronic surveillance, the operations are immediately terminated,
   • A containment area must be capable of holding the contents of as many cargo tanks that might be loaded at one time, and
   • The qualified person must conduct a visual inspection of the cargo tank motor vehicle after it is loaded and prior to departure.
   
   OR
3. Hoses are equipped with devices at each end that are able to stop the flow of product from both the source and the receiving tank within one second without human intervention in the event of an incident and the following are met:
   • Each hose must be visually inspected prior to each use, and
   • The loading/unloading operation must be physically inspected at least once every 60 minutes.

A qualified person is someone who is:

• Aware of the nature of the hazardous material,
• Instructed in emergency procedures, and
• Except for persons observing by electronic surveillance and those inspecting hoses equipped with stop devices, is authorized to move and has the means to move the cargo tank.

Once the loading or unloading process is complete, the driver must make sure that all manhole covers and valves are securely closed. Drivers must also walk around the cargo tank to ensure there are no leaks prior to moving the cargo tank.