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Hazmat Placard Identification

Hazardous materials are transported throughout the world on a daily basis. Part of an international communication system, the hazmat placard identification system was established to alert workers to the type of hazard contained in the shipment.

  1. Content

    • The shape, color configuration and content provide workers with an easily identifiable source of information regarding the hazardous materials contained in the packages they are handling, according to the DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration website. Hazmat placards are placed predominantly on packages and serve the primary function of alerting handlers to the content of hazardous materials.

    Requirements

    • All hazmat placards are diamond-shaped signs (square-on-point), according to the website phmsa.dot.gov. The placards contain numbers and symbols that designate the hazard division or class and are color coded. The four-digit number on the placard is assigned by the US Department of Transportation or the United Nations and refers to groups of chemicals or a specific chemical contained in the shipment, according to the Environmental Chemistry website.

    Classes

    • There are nine hazardous materials classes which are divided into two placard identification tables, according to the phmsa.dot.gov website. Poison gas, high explosives, some organic peroxides, certain radioactive material, dangerous when wet materials and poison inhalation material constitute Table 1. Other explosives, flammable and combustible liquids, non-flammable and flammable gas, flammable solids, oxidizers, spontaneously combustible materials and poisons that do not pose an inhalation hazard make up Table 2. Table 1 hazmat placards are required to identify the quantity of hazardous materials up to 1000 pounds, while Table 2 hazmat placards identify hazardous materials weighing over 1001 pounds.

    Other Markings

    • Hazmat placards may also require markings such as material identification numbers and proper shipping names for materials poisonous by inhalation and certain bulk commodities, according to the website phmsa.dot.gov. Elevated temperature materials and marine pollutants may also require additional markings. These markings will vary in accordance with class and volume of the hazardous material being shipped.

    Emergency Situations

    • Hazmat placard identifications give first responders, police and/or fire fighters arriving at an emergency situation an indication that hazardous materials are present, according to the phmsa.dot.gov website. Emergency responders can then assess the situation at the proper distance to determine the wisest course of action. This reduces unnecessary exposure to the hazardous material by emergency personnel, keeping them safe while the situation is evaluated.

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