Who is responsible for ensuring hazmat shipments comply with regulations?

Hazmat compliance is a shared responsibility. The shipper is responsible for proper classification, packaging, labeling, marking, and preparing shipping papers. The carrier (the trucking company) is responsible for training drivers, maintaining vehicles, and following operating rules. The driver is responsible for inspecting the load, verifying placards match the papers, refusing improperly prepared loads, driving safely, and responding correctly to incidents. The driver cannot hide behind 'the shipper said it was fine' if obvious problems exist — placards missing, papers incomplete, leaks visible. Refusing to transport a non-compliant load is the driver's right and obligation, and the carrier cannot legally fire a driver for that refusal.