Merseyside Fire Liaison Panel Logo - Free advice,on fire safety and prevention,risk assessment, ect

 

Note for Guidance

The Fire Safety Advice Centre

Safelincs - Your Safety Provider

Transport of Hazardous Goods (Signs)


Introduction

This insight into the signs used in the transport of hazardous goods is very basic and simplistic. If you need to study more deeply then you need to go to the legislation and I have provided links which should prove useful.

Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 2092  
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Classification, Packaging and Labeling) and 
Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996

Department for Transport Dangerous Goods Transport

Class

Sub class

Symbol

Description

Examples

Class 2
Gases

Class 2.1

Flammable gases

Dangerous Goods Signs

These are gases which will burn.

acetylene

hydrogen

LPG

Class 2.2

Non-flammable

Non-toxic gases

Dangerous Goods Signs

These gases are usually compressed and so are a source of stored energy and some may also present an anoxic hazard (that is, they will exclude oxygen and so kill through asphyxiation). These containers may rocket if valves are damaged or containers are involved in a fire.

air

carbon dioxide

nitrogen

Class 2.3

Poisonous gas

Dangerous Goods Signs

These gases are toxic. Being gases, they will rapidly disperse if there is a leak. This may reduce the concentration and the hazard - but it will also spread the gas further, so increasing the risk of poisoning more people.

chlorine

methyl bromide

nitric oxide

Class 3
Flammable liquids

Dangerous Goods Signs

These liquids will all burn.

petrol

kerosene

Class 4
Flammable solids

Class 4.1
Flammable solids, self-reactive and related substances and desensitised explosives

Dangerous Goods Signs

Solids easily ignited and readily combustible. These are ordinarily flammable solids which don't fit into Class 4.2 or 4.3.

sulphur

phosphorus

picric acid

Class 4.2
Spontaneously combustible

Dangerous Goods Signs

These materials will catch fire if exposed to air without any heat being applied (that is, the heat from the normal air is sufficient for them to catch fire - no other source of heat is required).

charcoal (non-activated)

Class 4.3
Dangerous when wet

Dangerous Goods Signs

This class is also known as 'Emits flammable gases when wet'. This class has a particular hazard: not only can moisture from the air cause a fire, but if water or foam is used to extinguish them, it will make the situation worse.

calcium carbide

Class 5
Oxidising substances

Class 5.1

Oxidising agent

Dangerous Goods Signs

These are all oxidising agents other than organic peroxides. When substances burn in air, they combine with oxygen and so are said to have been oxidised. Other chemicals have a similar 'burning' effect and so are said to be oxidising agents. The largest group of these are the organic peroxides.

chlorine

calcium hypochlorite

sodium peroxide

Class 5.2

Organic peroxides

(liquid or solid)

Dangerous Goods Signs

These are a particular class of oxidising agent. They have all the normal hazards of oxidising agents (that is, they will cause a 'chemical burning'). In addition, they will often be explosive under certain conditions - especially, if they are allowed to dry out.

benzoyl peroxides

methyl ethyl

ketone peroxides (MEKP)

Class 6
Poisonous and infectious substances

Class 6.1

Poisons

Dangerous Goods Signs

These are liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. They are covered by special regulations and need special registration. It is acceptable to use the word 'toxic' to replace the word 'poison'.

cyanides

lead

arsenic

 

 

Dangerous Goods Signs    

Class 6.2

Infectious substances

Dangerous Goods Signs

Substances containing viable micro-organisms that may cause disease in humans or animals.

diagnostic specimens or live vaccines

Class 8
Corrosives

Dangerous Goods Signs

These chemicals will eat away at a wide range of materials including some materials of construction for tanks and probably your eyes and skin.

Care must be taken to ensure the containers and packages are made from the right materials and the chemicals do not contact your clothes, skin or eyes.

Special protective equipment needs to be worn.

hydrochloric acid

sodium hypochlorite (liquid pool chlorine)

sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)

Class 9
Miscellaneous goods

Dangerous Goods Signs

Substances and articles which have potentially dangerous properties that are relatively minor, or are not covered by any of the classes already described.

aerosols

polyester beads

 


The Carriage of Explosives by Road Regulations 1996

HSE Transport of Explosives

 


Explosives

 

See Explosives Regulations Dangerous Goods Signs These materials will explode. These are covered by the Explosive Acts   

 


Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 3232 Radiation

Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (c. 12)

 

Radio Active Substances

  Dangerous Goods Signs

Materials or combinations of materials which spontaneously emit ionising radiation.
These materials are covered by the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances

uranium

radio isotopes

plutonium

 

 


Hazchem Information for UK Emergency Services

Another sign you will see on the British roads is the Hazchem sign displayed on vehicles carrying hazardous loads. It is designed to help the emergency services in the UK deal with incidents involving such vehicles. The  Hazchem website tells you all you need to know about the sign.

Hazchem Information Sign

 

Hazchem Information Sign

Further Information.

National Chemical Emergency Centre.


This handout provides a general overview and basic information on this topic. It may not apply to everyone, consequently to find out if this guide applies to you and to get more information on this subject, study all the relevant legislation, guides and British/European Standards. Also you should seek advice from an expert on the subject or your local Fire Safety Officer or Fire Safety Professional.

Merseyside Fire Liaison Panel Logo
The Fire Safety Advice Centre. Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for nonprofit educational uses.

[Index] [Advice Centre]

This page was last checked and modified on Monday, 6 October, 2008 14:33

 

    mersey world icon