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Air Containers Ocean Containers Types Ocean Container Dimensions Incoterms Dangerous Goods F.A.Q. PDF Documents |
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Dangerous Goods are grouped in nine classes, according to their common dangers.
Each class has a distinctive diamond-shaped symbol with the class number at the bottom of the diamond. These symbols appear on the labels of containers and as signs on vehicle loads. The internationally recognised symbols clearly identify the type of substance and the main danger.
Fuels such as petrol and LPG provide by far the largest volume of dangerous goods, and many industries and even homes may contain these and other types of dangerous goods. The regulations provide for exterior signs to be shown warning of significant amounts of dangerous goods on a site. These may take the form of the word HAZCHEM or HAZMAT, or might display dangerous goods diamond symbols.
Hazardous Substances
Hazardous substances are substances with the potential to harm health and are classified according to their long term health effects, while dangerous goods are classified by their immediate physical and / or chemical effects.
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials are other materials that may have hazardous properties, and include dangerous goods, hazardous substances, scheduled poisons, hazardous wastes and environmental pollutants. CFA categorises all these materials together under the title "Hazardous Materials" or "HAZMATS".
| Class Diamond System |
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| Symbol | Class | Main Danger |
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1 | Substances or articles used to produce explosions. (eg. gunpowder, gelignite). Sub classified into six categories. |
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2.1 | Can ignite in air on contact with a source of ignition. (eg. LPG) |
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2.2 | Non flammable and non toxic, but may cause suffocation. (eg. carbon dioxide, nitrogen) |
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2.2 | Non flammable and non toxic, but may cause suffocation. (eg. carbon dioxide, nitrogen) |
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2.3 | Likely to cause death or serious injury if inhaled. (eg. chlorine, ammonia) |
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3 | Vapours from these liquids can ignite in air on contact with a source of ignition. (eg. petrol, kerosene) |
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4.1 | Easily ignited by external sources, such as sparks and flames. (eg. sulfur, matches) |
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4.2 | Likely to heat spontaneously and ignite. (eg. activated carbon, white phosphorus) |
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4.3 | Produce dangerous quantities of flammable or toxic gases when in contact with water. The heat from this reaction may cause these gases to spontaneously ignite. (eg. calcium carbide sodium) |
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5.1 | Not necessarily combustible by themselves, but may yeild oxygen which increases the risk and intensity of fire in other materials with which they come into contact. (eg. calcium hypochlorite, ammonium nitrate) |
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5.2 | Thermally unstable and likely to react dangerously with other substances. (eg. benzoyl peroxide, MEKP) |
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6 | Likely to cause death or serious injury if swallowed, inhaled or brought into contact with skin. (eg. sodium cyanide, many pesticides) |
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6 | Likely to cause death or serious injury if swallowed, inhaled or brought into contact with skin. (eg. sodium cyanide, many pesticides) |
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7 | Materials or combinations of materials that emit harmful radiation. (eg. uranium, radium) |
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8 | Solids or liquids that can damage living tissue, and may react with many other materials. (eg. hydrochloric acid, caustic soda) |
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9 | Substances and articles that present a danger and not covered by other classes. (eg. dry ice, asbestos) |
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Mixed Class Label (for road transport) | |