DOT Hazard Identification Labels Explained
Hazardous materials transportation was regulated in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1975. This law set forth rules and regulations for the transportation and labeling of hazardous materials. In 1990 the rules were amended to follow United Nations recommendations to make international transportation of hazardous materials easier. Federal rules supersede state rules unless the state rules offer an equal or greater level of protection to the public.
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Authority
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The Department of Transportation (DOT) determines what items are hazardous and categorizes them into different classes. There are eight specific categories of materials, each with a varying number of sub categories. There are two other categories, Miscellaneous and Other Regulated Materials for things that don't fit into the other eight categories. Placards are used on shipping containers and trucks and labels are used on smaller packages.
Class 1: Explosives
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Class 1.5 Label Example Class 1 items are explosives. A label is required when shipping more than 1001 pounds of class 1.4 or 1.5 explosive. Any quantity of 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 explosive requires a label.
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Class 2: Gasses
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Class 2 is for compressed gasses. Class 2.1 and 2.1 are for flammable and inflammable gasses and a label is required for shipments over 1001 pounds. Class 2.3 is for poisonous gasses and a label is always required.
Classes 3, 4 and 5: Flammables and Oxidizers
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Class 5.2 Label Items is Class 3 are flammable liquids. A label is required for quantities over 1001 pounds. The label says "Flammable" unless it is a common item like gasoline or fuel oil. Items that are combustible will say "Combustible" instead of "Flammable."
Class 4 items are flammable solids. Class 4.1 flammable and 4.2 spontaneously combustible require labels for shipments over 1001 pounds. Class 4.3 items are dangerous when wet and require a label for any quantity.
Class 5 includes oxidizers and organic peroxides. A label is required for quantities over 1001 pounds. The label will specify either "Oxidizer" or "Organic Peroxide."
Class 6: Poisons
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Truck Placard for an Inhalation Hazard Items in Class 6 are poisons or infectious agents. These items may not be transported with foodstuffs, feed or any edible items for humans or animals. Items that are inhalation hazards must be marked if there are more than 110 pounds in the shipment. All Class 6 shipments and Class 6.1 shipments over 1001 pounds must be labeled.
Classes 7 and 8: Radioactives and Corrosives
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Class 7 radioactives require labels on two sides of the package and placards on vehicles transporting Category III materials.
Corrosives in Class 8 require labels and placards for quantities over 1001 pounds.
Class 9: Miscellaneous
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Class 9 is for materials that are not in any of the other classifications but may still have some danger in transportation.
Other Regulated Material items are things that would be classified otherwise but pose limited danger due to its form, packaging or quantity.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Blasting Agemt Warming Label image by chas53 from Fotolia.com Organic Peroxide Warning Label image by chas53 from Fotolia.com inhalation hazard class 2 image by k9dg from Fotolia.com
