How are hazardous materials classified in transportation ?
According to the ADR, dangerous goods represent any substance that can injure people or the surroundings while shipping.
This kind of product is controlled by a severe legislation that controls their stock, handling and transportation.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) identified 9 classes of hazardous materials that may be recognizable thanks to IMDG codes, labels (or pictograms) and a UN number, mentioned on the labels.
So, do you recognize the significance of each of the labels associated with the dangerous goods? Are you aware about what differentiate one class from another?
1st class of hazardous materials: explosive materials and objects
This class includes all pyrotechnic products such as fireworks, bombs, detonators...
Within the class, there are several specific categories that describe in details the product that should be delivered.
1.1) Risk of mass explosion
1.2) Risk of projection and mass explosion
1.3) Fire hazard, slight blast or projection hazard or both, but not mass explosion hazard
1.4) Minor explosion hazard
Although the danger is not high, it is still here, mostly in the case of fires, but the threat of projection is to be ruled out.
1.5) Very insensitive substances
When they are shipped under regular conditions but still show a risk of mass explosion
1.6) Extremely insensitive substances
There is no mass explosion risk.
Labels :
For these first 3 types of explosive substances and articles, the pictogram used shows a bomb that blows with the figure 1. However, for the last 2 classes of explosive materials, the category numbers are written on the upper part and the number 1 on the lower part.
2nd class of hazardous materials: gases
In this class we find liquefied, compressed and dissolved gases. The figure “2” is written on its label and, as in the first class, we can differentiate 3 categories :
1. Flammable gases in contact with heat
The label of the first category of the 2nd class shows a white or black flame on a red background.
Example: butane, methane, ethylene...
2. Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
This sort of gas encourage combustion and can provoke asphyxiation when it substitutes oxygen.
Label : A white or black gas cylinder on a green background. For example, Helium is non-flammable and non-toxic gas.
3. Toxic gases
Gases liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled. Examples: fluorine, chlorine, and hydrogen cyanide.
3rd class of hazardous materials: flammable liquids
In this class, we can find flammable liquids and liquid desensitized explosives, such as petrol, paint, turpentine.
The label depicts the number 3 with a flame.
4th class of hazardous materials : flammable solids
1. Flammable solids, self-reactive, explosive desensitized solids
A rubbing of these materials can produce fires. The label has the number 4 with a black flame on a red and white striped background.
2. Spontaneously Combustible Solids
They present a threat when it makes contact with the air.
Example: Coal, white Phosphorus...
The label represents a black flame on a white background, and the bottom part is red.
3. Solids that emit gases when wet
Example: Sodium potassium.
The label has a blue background with white or black flame.
5th class of hazardous materials : Oxidizing materials and organic peroxides
1. Oxidizing materials
These substances trigger combustion and may cause fires when there is an interaction with other elements.
On the label, you can see a circle that ignites on a yellow background, and the number 5.1.
2. Organic peroxides
They are derived from a hydrogen peroxide. They are extremely hazardous substances, that can't exceed a specific load quantities.
The superior part of the label has a red and yellow background, with a black flame on the red part and the number 5.2 on the yellow part.
6th class of dangerous materials: toxic and infectious substances.
1. Toxic substances or poisons
They can kill when swallowed, breathed in or merely in touch with the skin.
Their label depicts a skull and crossbones with the figure 6.
2. Infectious materials
This category includes products containing microorganisms that may lead to disease.
Its label is with symbol that represents infectious substances.
7th class of dangerous materials: radioactive materials
We have 3 categories depending on the degree of radiation and another one which includes fissile materials.
The two first classes have a high-level of radiation.
Examples: Uranium, thorium, plutonium.
Their labels have an indication that shows which one is Class 1, class 2 or 3, a radioactive clover with number 7.
For the fissile materials:
Its label has the indication : "Fissile materials" and the number 7
8th class of dangerous materials: corrosive materials
We refer to them as corrosives because they can lead to lesions when the skin comes into contact with them, or even poison when they are ingested or inhaled.
Examples: Sulphuric acid, sodium hypochlorite.
Its label depicts two sample tubes which are poured onto a hand and a surface, and the number 8 is written.
9th class of hazardous materials: Miscellaneous
This class contains others substances that present a threat that does not meet any of the following criteria previously listed.
Example: asbestos, air-bag inflators, self inflating life rafts, dry ice
Finally, its label has its superior part striped in black and white, and the lower part is white with the number 9.
You can notice : each label is shaped like a diamond and measure at least 100x100 mm. For further details about the classification of dangerous substances, please check this page of the UNECE. Be sure to follow all the requirements to ship smoothly your hazardous goods to your destination.
