Dangerous Goods Guidance and Hazardous Classes

Any goods that can pose a risk to people, or the environment are classified as dangerous goods & are assigned to different classes ranging from 1 to 9. These types of goods can range from those which are highly dangerous (such as explosives, acid or flammables) to everyday products such as paints & solvents found in the home & at work. When transported, these goods need to be packaged correctly as laid out in the various international & national regulations for each mode of transport to ensure that they are carried safely to minimise the risk of an incident. Below are the types of Classes & UN numbers of dangerous goods that are carried.

  Label

Title

Class

Description

Example

  Class 1 - Explosives
Class 1.1

Explosives, Substances and Articles

Class 1.1

Substances and articles that have a mass explosion hazard.

Fireworks
Class 1.3

Explosives, Substances and Articles

Class 1.2

Substances and articles that have a projection hazard, but not a mass explosion hazard.

Class 1.3

Explosives, Substances and Articles

Class 1.3

Substances and articles that are a fire hazard, or a minor projection hazard (or both), but not a mass explosion hazard.

Class 1.4

Explosives, Substances and Articles

Class 1.4

Substances and articles which present no significant hazard. This divisions comprises substances and articles which present only a small hazard in the event of ignition or initation during.

Class 1.5

Explosives, Substances and Articles

Class 1.5

Very insensitive substances that have a mass explosion hazard transport.

Class 1.6

Explosives, Substances and Articles

Class 1.6

Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard.

  Class 2 - Gases
Class 2.1

Gases

Class 2.1

Flammable gases. "Flammable" has the same meaning as "Inflammable".

Propane
Class 2.2

Gases

Class 2.2

Non-flammable, no toxic gases i.e. asphyxiating. "Toxic" has the same meaning as poisonous.

Carbon Dioxide
Class 2.3

Gases

Class 2.3

Toxic gases.

Phosphine

  Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
Class 3

Flammable Liquids

Class 3

Flammable liquids have a flashpoint of below 61C. This means that at temperatures below 61C the liquid will give off vapour that is ignited by a spark, flame or heat.

Petrol

  Class 4 - Flammable Solids
Class 4.1

Flammable Solids

Class 4.1

Readily combustible solids, and solids that may ignite through friction, and self-reactive substances.

Matches
Class 4.2

Flammable Solids

Class 4.2

Substances liable to spontaneously combust on contact with air.

Phosphorus
Class 4.3

Flammable Solids

Class 4.3

Substances which, when in contact with water, emit flammable gases, solids or liquids.

Sodium

  Class 5 - Oxidising & Organic Peroxide
Class 5.1

Oxidising Substances & Organic Peroxides

Class 5.1

Oxidising substances intensify the risk and intensity of fires by evolving large quantities of oxygen. Can become readily combustible when mixed with organic material.

Ammonium Nitrate Fertiliser
Class 5.2

Oxidising Substances & Organic Peroxides

Class 5.2

Organic peroxides are heat sensitive and liable to exothermic decomposition, which may lead to explosion. May require temperature-controlled transport.

Organic Peroxides

  Class 6 - Poison (Toxic)
Class 6.1

Toxic Substances

Class 6.1

Toxic substances are liable to cause death or serious injury to humans by swallowing, inhaling or by skin contact with toxic vapour, dust, granules or liquid. "Toxic" has the same meaning as "Poisonous".

Cyanide
Class 6.2

Toxic Substances

Class 6.2

Infectious substances are bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi and can in cargo such as medical samples.

Anthrax Spores

  Class 7 - Radioactive Material
Class 7

Radioactive Material

Class 7

Radioactive materials are those that emit radiation above certain natural limits.

Uranium Fuel Rods
Class 7

Radioactive Material

Class 7

Transport packaging is designed to shield cargo handlers from harmful radiation, regardless of the level of radiation present inside the package.

Uranium Fuel Rods
Class 7

Radioactive Material

Class 7

Details of the radioactive materials and radiation levels are indicated on the cargo labels/placards.

Uranium Fuel Rods

  Class 8 - Corrosive
Class 8

Corrosives Substances

Class 8

Corrosive materials and their vapours destroy living tissue on contact and will seriously damage metals and textiles. Dangerous gases may be evolved during reaction with metals. May react violently with water.

Sulphuric Acid

  Class 9 - Miscellaneous
Class 9

Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances & Articles

Class 9

Miscellaneous substances and articles present a danger during transport that is not represented by other classes.

Asbestos (Hazardous to the Environment)

Vehicles Carrying Dangerous Goods MUST carry:

- Fire Extinguisher
- Free-standing Hazardous Warnings (Reflective Triangles)
- Cones
- Flashing Orange Lamps
- Torch
- Reflective Garment
- Wheel Chock

These items can be purchased from the UK Haulier Shop.

Since the end of 2007 vehicles are required to carry two separate extinguishers which together total 12kg. Extinguishers MUST carry a kite mark, a seal and the date of next inspection (not date of last inspection).

Plus anything else specified on the tremcard.

Disclaimer

This content gives general guidance only and should not be regarded as a complete or authoritative statement of the law. The guidance will be updated to reflect any developments in new legislation or case law.