| Class |
Sub class |
Symbol |
Description |
Examples |
Class 1
Explosives |
 Class 1.1 Explosives with a mass
explosion
hazard
such as TNT, Gunpowder. Gelignite,
etc. |
|
These materials will explode. These are
covered by the Australian Code for the Transportation of Explosives by
Road and Rail (Australian Explosives Code). |
TNT
ANFO
nitroglycerine |
| |
Class
1.2
Explosives which are a projectile
or
fragmentation hazard, but not a significant
mass
explosion hazard . |
|
|
grenades,
ammunition, etc |
| |
Class
1.3
Explosives which are a fire and minor blast hazard, with minor projectile or minor
fragmentation hazards. |
|
|
propellant powder, fireworks |
| |
Class
1.4
Explosives which are not a
significant
mass explosion hazard |
|
|
flares,
fireworks,
safety cartridges, etc. |
| |
Class
1.5
Explosives with a mass explosion
hazard,
but are insensitive substances |
|
|
|
| |
Class
1.6
Substances which are a minor
explosion
hazard, very insensitive substances. |
|
|
|
Class 2
Gases |
Class 2.1
Flammable gases |
|
These are gases which will burn. |
acetylene
hydrogen
LPG |
|
Class 2.2
Non-flammable
non-toxic gases |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
|
These liquids will all burn. |
petrol
kerosene |
Class 4
Flammable solids |
Class 4.1
Flammable solids, self-reactive and related
substances and desensitised explosives |
|
Solids easily ignited and readily
combustible. These are ordinarily flammable solids which don't fit into Class
4.2 or 4.3. |
sulfur
phosphorus
picric acid |
|
Class 4.2
Spontaneously combustible |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 is
the organic peroxides. |
chlorine
calcium hypochlorite
sodium peroxide |
|
Class 5.2
Organic peroxides
(liquid or solid) |
|
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 6.1a
Poisons |
|
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 |
|
Class 6.1b
Harmful |
|
These are materials which must be stored
away from food stuffs but which are not classified as poisons. |
pesticides
heavy metals |
|
Class 6.2
Infectious substances |
|
Substances containing viable
micro-organisms that may cause disease in humans or animals. |
diagnostic specimens or live vaccines |
Class 7
Radio active substances |
|
|
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, 1990. |
uranium
radio isotopes
plutonium |
Class 8
Corrosives |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
Mixed class label |
|
|
This class label is used whenever more than
one class of Dangerous Goods is being carried in the one load, and the
vehicle requires marking. |
|
