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What's still required?

Even though limited quantity shipments get a break from some of the paperwork and labeling regulations, they still need to meet several important hazmat requirements:

Training: Anyone involved in preparing, handling, or transporting limited quantity shipments must be trained in accordance with the HMR. That includes general awareness, function-specific, safety, security, and driver training.

Packaging: Limited quantity materials must be shipped in combination packaging, which means inner containers (like bottles, cans, or vials) placed inside a strong outer package. In most cases, the gross weight of the outer package cannot exceed 66 pounds.

Marking: Limited quantity packages must be marked with the limited quantity marking, which is a black and white square-on-point symbol. This helps carriers and emergency responders quickly identify the nature of the shipment.

If you’re shipping by air or vessel, the rules get stricter. You’ll need to follow additional requirements, including documentation and labeling, because the risks and regulations differ from ground transport.

Why the exception exists

The limited quantity exception is designed for smaller amounts of hazardous materials that pose a lower risk during transport. By reducing the regulatory burden on these shipments, the DOT allows businesses to move goods more efficiently without compromising safety.

However, it’s not a free pass. Shippers and transporters still need to understand the rules, train their employees, and package and mark their shipments correctly. Otherwise, they risk violations, fines, and potentially unsafe conditions.

Common misunderstanding

One of the most frequent mistakes shippers and transporters make is assuming that limited quantity means “non-hazmat.” It doesn’t. These materials still meet the definition of a hazardous material, they’re just eligible for certain exceptions. That misunderstanding can lead to skipped training, improper packaging, or missing markings, all of which can result in regulatory penalties or safety risks. If your team handles limited quantity shipments, it’s worth reviewing your procedures to make sure you’re not overlooking the requirements that still apply.

Key to remember: If you’re shipping hazardous materials in small quantities, the limited quantity exception can be a helpful tool, if you use it correctly. Remember, limited quantity is still hazmat, and that means the responsibility to ship safely and compliantly still applies.

Limitations of the CDL as verification

While a CDL is a legal requirement, it doesn’t always reflect a driver’s current skill level or their ability to handle the specific demands of your fleet. Training and testing standards vary, and a driver who passed their test years ago may not have maintained the same level of proficiency. Accepting a CDL as the source of truth can leave companies vulnerable to safety risks, compliance issues, and costly incidents.

What does a road test demonstrate?

Administering a practical road test allows employers to directly observe a driver’s capabilities in real-world conditions. It’s an opportunity to assess how well they handle your specific equipment, navigate your routes, and adhere to your company’s safety protocols. A driver with many years of driving experience may not be familiar with the specific equipment you operate. Road testing ensures that drivers meet your standards and uncovers areas to provide training during the onboarding process. Accepting a CDL only demonstrates the driver possesses the basic skills to operate the vehicle.

Why not do it yourself?

Who should administer these tests? While some companies choose to handle road testing in-house, this approach can be labor-intensive and prone to inconsistency. Internal testers may face pressure to “pass” candidates quickly, to meet fleet needs. The requirements for a test administrator are vague and the tester may lack the training to conduct thorough evaluations. In the case of litigation, the qualifications of the tester will be scrutinized.

Using a third-party administrator (TPA) to manage road testing brings a host of advantages. First, it introduces objectivity. TPAs are independent, reducing the risk of internal bias or liability. They follow standardized procedures, ensuring every driver is evaluated fairly and consistently. Drivers are often tense at the beginning of a test and relax as the test proceeds. TPAs are trained to watch for habits drivers possess.

Second, TPAs free up your internal teams to focus on core operations. Instead of pulling managers or trainers away from their primary duties, you can rely on experienced professionals who specialize in driver assessment. This not only improves efficiency but also enhances the quality of your hiring process.

Finally, TPAs often bring configurable solutions. Whether you’re onboarding one driver or one hundred, they can adapt to your needs without compromising quality or compliance.

In today’s competitive and safety-conscious environment, relying solely on a CDL is no longer enough. Road testing provides a more accurate picture of a driver’s readiness. And by partnering with a third-party administrator, companies can ensure those tests are conducted with the highest standards of fairness, consistency, and professionalism.

It’s time to raise the bar. Don’t just trust the license—test the driver.

Key to remember: A copy of a driver’s CDL in your qualification file meets the minimum requirements set forth by the FMCSA, taking the time to evaluate every driver in your fleet demonstrates your commitment to safety.

Provide topic-specific training

Dock safety should cover safety issues common to all positions who work in and around the area. But training should also include topics unique to specific job titles (e.g., drivers, dock workers, and warehouse employees).

Monthly safety meetings can include common causes of injuries and cargo damage.

Keep loading docks clean

Loading docks are susceptible to the weather, especially in the winter. Leaves and other debris should be swept away as needed. Water, ice, and snow can also accumulate, resulting in dangerous working conditions. Forklifts often experience problems with slick loading dock floors, so ensure that management is checking the dock surfaces throughout the day.

Stress ergonomics

Injuries due to improper lifting and repetitive strain can be reduced if employees are trained on posture, lifting techniques, and load assessment.

The appropriate way to lift a load requires:

• Getting close to the load,
• Squatting (not bending),
• Lifting with leg muscles,
• Keeping the load close at waist level,
• Turning feet (not torso),
• Aligning shoulders with hips, and
• Using both hands to grip the load.

Employees should size up the load to determine whether assistance is needed from a coworker or mechanical aid (e.g., dolly, cart, or forklift).

Always wear PPE

Injury prevention is often as simple as having the right gear. The company should enforce a policy of wearing designated personal protective equipment (PPE), including:

• Safety helmet,
• Hearing protection,
• Steel-toe shoes,
• Work gloves, and
• High-visibility vests.

Any violation of the policy should have consequences that are consistently enforced.

Let falling freight fall

When dock employees are loading or unloading freight in a trailer, the risk of injury increases when handling cumbersome freight.

Employees should never attempt to stop falling freight. This common reaction is responsible for significant injuries. It’s always better to allow the freight to fall on the floor of the trailer rather than risking a crushing type of injury.

Watch out for the other guy

Before loading or unloading begins, all unnecessary employees should vacate the area. While forklift operators are trained in pedestrian safety, it’s often the pedestrians themselves who aren’t trained to anticipate and avoid forklift dangers. The most effective method of controlling forklift-pedestrian accidents is to designate pedestrian walkways using yellow painted lines and physical barriers.

In addition, communication is necessary to coordinate the efforts of drivers, forklift operators, and warehouse personnel. To do otherwise creates confusion and possible collisions. To help reduce the risk, consider using radios, hand signals, and signage.

Prevent trailer movement

When trailers move away from the dock, they pose a serious hazard.

Some simple best practices can reduce this risk, such as:

• Using heavy-duty chocks on both sides of the rear wheels,
• Verifying chock placement before loading or unloading the trailer, and
• Securing the trailer to the dock through hook-style restraints or automatic systems.

Key to remember: To limit accidents at congested loading docks, provide employees with the knowledge through training and policies and protection through appropriate equipment.

Provide topic-specific training

Dock safety should cover safety issues common to all positions who work in and around the area. But training should also include topics unique to specific job titles (e.g., drivers, dock workers, and warehouse employees).

Monthly safety meetings can include common causes of injuries and cargo damage.

Keep loading docks clean

Loading docks are susceptible to the weather, especially in the winter. Leaves and other debris should be swept away as needed. Water, ice, and snow can also accumulate, resulting in dangerous working conditions. Forklifts often experience problems with slick loading dock floors, so ensure that management is checking the dock surfaces throughout the day.

Stress ergonomics

Injuries due to improper lifting and repetitive strain can be reduced if employees are trained on posture, lifting techniques, and load assessment.

The appropriate way to lift a load requires:

• Getting close to the load,
• Squatting (not bending),
• Lifting with leg muscles,
• Keeping the load close at waist level,
• Turning feet (not torso),
• Aligning shoulders with hips, and
• Using both hands to grip the load.

Employees should size up the load to determine whether assistance is needed from a coworker or mechanical aid (e.g., dolly, cart, or forklift).

Always wear PPE

Injury prevention is often as simple as having the right gear. The company should enforce a policy of wearing designated personal protective equipment (PPE), including:

• Safety helmet,
• Hearing protection,
• Steel-toe shoes,
• Work gloves, and
• High-visibility vests.

Any violation of the policy should have consequences that are consistently enforced.

Let falling freight fall

When dock employees are loading or unloading freight in a trailer, the risk of injury increases when handling cumbersome freight.

Employees should never attempt to stop falling freight. This common reaction is responsible for significant injuries. It’s always better to allow the freight to fall on the floor of the trailer rather than risking a crushing type of injury.

Watch out for the other guy

Before loading or unloading begins, all unnecessary employees should vacate the area. While forklift operators are trained in pedestrian safety, it’s often the pedestrians themselves who aren’t trained to anticipate and avoid forklift dangers. The most effective method of controlling forklift-pedestrian accidents is to designate pedestrian walkways using yellow painted lines and physical barriers.

In addition, communication is necessary to coordinate the efforts of drivers, forklift operators, and warehouse personnel. To do otherwise creates confusion and possible collisions. To help reduce the risk, consider using radios, hand signals, and signage.

Prevent trailer movement

When trailers move away from the dock, they pose a serious hazard.

Some simple best practices can reduce this risk, such as:

• Using heavy-duty chocks on both sides of the rear wheels,
• Verifying chock placement before loading or unloading the trailer, and
• Securing the trailer to the dock through hook-style restraints or automatic systems.

Key to remember: To limit accidents at congested loading docks, provide employees with the knowledge through training and policies and protection through appropriate equipment.

Operation Safe Driver Week results

During the July event, officers across North America issued warnings and tickets to 5,069 unsafe drivers, targeting commercial and passenger vehicles alike (both CMV and non-CMV drivers).

Of the 8,739 vehicles inspected, this year’s officers issued CMV drivers:

• 3,230 warnings, and
• 1,839 tickets/citations.

Non-CMV drivers received:

• 345 warnings, and
• 665 tickets/citations.

Citation stats

The top infractions of Operation Safe Driver Week 2025 were speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, texting or using a handheld device, reckless/careless/inattentive driving, and possession/use/under the influence of drugs/alcohol.