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Everyday Hazmat User’s Training Guide

Introduction (continued)

Hazardous Materials Placards

The U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations have established a family of placards, or graphic symbols, that uniquely identify certain chemicals and products. These placards are found on packages that have been prepared for shipment, and are often found on trucks transporting hazardous materials. These placards also can be used as signs to identify the contents of hazardous materials storage units. Most placards must measure at least 10.8 inches on each side, and conform to the color, lettering, and graphic symbols established by regulation.

Hazardous materials placards shall, with some exceptions, be used when you transport hazardous materials. Placards are required when any container exceeds 119 gallons, regardless of weight. Placards are not required on a vehicle or freight container loaded with less than 1,001 pounds of most hazardous materials, including some explosives, flammable gases, nonflammable gases, flammable liquids, combustible liquids, flammable solids, spontaneous combustibles, oxidizers, some forms of organic peroxides, poisons, and corrosives. Those hazardous products that always require placarding during shipment include some explosives, poisonous gases, dangerous when wet products, some forms of organic peroxides, poisons with inhalation hazards, and radioactive products. There are some specific requirements on shipments of combinations of hazardous materials; contact your hazmat coordinator for clarifications. If placards are required on your vehicles when transporting hazardous materials, the placard must be displayed on each end and each side of the vehicle. There are many different types and combinations of placards, so if you are in doubt, contact your hazmat coordinator.

Numbers at the bottom of many of the placards identify classes of the type of hazardous product that is defined by the general placard design, wording, color, and symbols.
Image of a diamond-shaped green hazard material placard that reads: NON-FLAMMABLE GAS. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign. Image of a diamond-shaped yellow hazard material placard that reads: OXIDIZER. The number 5.1 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a flame is located at the top corner. Image of a diamond-shaped red hazard material placard that reads: COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. The number 3 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a flame sits at the top corner. Image of a diamond-shaped yellow hazard material placard that reads: OXYGEN. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a flame sits at the top corner.
Image of a diamond-shaped red hazard material placard that reads: FLAMMABLE LIQUID. The number 3 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a flame sits at the top corner. Image of a red and white horizontally striped hazard material placard that reads: FLAMMABLE SOLID. The number 4.1 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a flame sits at the top corner. Image of a diamond-shaped orange hazard material placard that reads: EXPLOSIVE B. The number 1 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image signifying an explosion sits at the top corner. Image of a diamond-shaped hazard material placard that is white on the top half and black on the bottom half and reads: CORROSIVE. The number 8 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image signifying a hand handling chemicals sits at the top corner.
Image of a diamond-shaped red hazard material placard that reads: FLAMMABLE GAS. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a flame sits at the top corner. Image of a diamond-shaped white hazard material placard that reads: POISON. The number 6 is located at the bottom corner of the sign, with a skull and crossbones sitting above the text. Image of a diamond-shaped white hazard material placard with a black border that reads: INHALATION HAZARD. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a skull and crossbones sits at the top corner inside a black diamond.
Toxic Compressed Gases		 Image of a diamond-shaped white hazard material placard with a black border that reads: INHALATION HAZARD. The number 2 is located at the bottom corner of the sign and an image of a skull and crossbones sits at the top corner inside a black diamond.
Corrosive Compressed Gases
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