Dangerous Goods Guidance & 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
	Explosives, Substances and Articles	Class 1.1	Substances and articles that have a mass explosion hazard.	Fireworks
	Explosives, Substances and Articles	Class 1.2	Substances and articles that have a projection hazard, but not a mass explosion hazard.
	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.
	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 initiation during.
	Explosives, Substances and Articles	Class 1.5	Very insensitive substances that have a mass explosion hazard transport.
	Explosives, Substances and Articles	Class 1.6	Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard.
Class 2 - Gases
	Gases	Class 2.1	Flammable gases. "Flammable" has the same meaning as "Inflammable".	Propane
	Gases	Class 2.2	Non-flammable, no toxic gases i.e. asphyxiating. "Toxic" has the same meaning as poisonous.	Carbon Dioxide
	Gases	Class 2.3	Toxic gases.	Phosphine
Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
	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
	Flammable Solids	Class 4.1	Readily combustible solids, and solids that may ignite through friction, and self-reactive substances.	Matches
	Flammable Solids	Class 4.2	Substances liable to spontaneously combust on contact with air.	Phosphorus
	Flammable Solids	Class 4.3	Substances which, when in contact with water, emit flammable gases, solids or liquids.	Sodium
Class 5 - Oxidising & Organic Peroxide
	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
	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)
	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
	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
	Radioactive Material	Class 7	Radioactive materials are those that emit radiation above certain natural limits.	Uranium Fuel Rods
	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
	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
	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
	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

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).