1. Explosives: Substances and articles that can cause an explosion or release gas with extreme heat, pressure, or both. This includes 🧨ammunition, fireworks, and blasting agents.
2. Gases: Substances that are in a gaseous state at normal temperature and pressure. ⚠️ Gases can be flammable, non-flammable, or toxic. Examples include propane, oxygen, helium, and chlorine.
3. Flammable Liquids: ⛽ Liquids that have a flashpoint below 60°C (140°F) and can easily catch fire. Examples include gasoline, alcohol, acetone, and solvents.
4. Flammable Solids: Solid materials that are easily ignited, burn vigorously, or can cause a fire through friction. This includes substances like matches, sulfur, and certain metals.
5. Oxidizing Substances: Substances that can cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials by providing oxygen or supporting combustion. Examples include oxygen generators, certain chemicals, and fertilizers.
6. Toxic and Infectious Substances: Substances that can cause harm or death when ingested, inhaled, or come into contact with skin. Examples include certain chemicals, pesticides, and infectious substances like viruses or bacteria. 🦠
7. Radioactive Materials: Substances that emit ionizing radiation above specific limits. ☢️ This includes nuclear fuels, medical isotopes, and certain industrial radioactive materials.
8. Corrosive Substances: Substances that can cause severe damage to living tissues, other materials, or the environment through chemical reaction. Examples include acids, alkalis, and batteries.
9. Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods: This class includes materials or substances that don’t fall into the previous eight categories but still present a significant hazard. Examples include lithium batteries, asbestos, and dry ice.
It’s important to note that the UN’s hazard classification system is widely used for transportation, storage, and handling of hazardous goods globally. 🌍
What kind of requirements must a hazardous good have according to the Department of Transportation and the United Nations?
(See Purple Diamond Capabilities Below)
⭐ Compliance with testing requirements is crucial to ensure the safe transport of hazardous goods and to protect human health, the environment, and property.
UN Packaging Codes / Hazardous Goods Package Testing
The storage and transportation of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) is overseen and regulated by federal and international law. A comprehensive marking system called the UN marking guide was developed so that HAZMAT packaging can describe what type and how much of a material may be transported within a package. A UN code is a universal system of demarcation developed by the United Nations and used internationally for the classification, packaging, marking, and labeling of dangerous goods to better transport them safely. Rigorous testing is required before a UN certification mark can be given.
The specific requirements for testing, packaging, and labeling may vary depending on the mode of transportation ⛴️(e.g., road, air, sea) ✈️ and the type of dangerous goods being transported.
1. Testing: Dangerous goods must undergo various tests to assess their compatibility with specific packaging materials, in order to prevent leaks, explosions, or other hazards during transportation. These tests typically involve subjecting the materials to different physical conditions, such as temperature, pressure, vibration, or impact, to ensure their integrity and stability. 🫨
2. Packaging: Dangerous goods ⚠️ must be packaged in approved containers that are specifically designed and tested to withstand the rigors of transportation. The packaging must provide adequate protection to prevent leakage, exposure to external elements, or accidental ignition. There are specific packaging requirements depending on the nature of the dangerous goods, such as the type of material, its quantity, and its potential hazards.
3. Labeling: Proper labeling is crucial to inform and alert handlers about the potential hazards of the dangerous goods being transported. 🔖 Specific label requirements include prominently displaying appropriate hazard symbols or pictograms, classifying the goods, providing essential information (such as the UN number and proper shipping name), and including any necessary warning statements.
These regulations aim to minimize the risks associated with the transportation of dangerous goods, ensuring the safety of people, property, and the environment. Compliance with these regulations is essential to prevent accidents, mitigate potential harm, and maintain the integrity of the supply chains that handle dangerous goods.
