Table of Contents
Dangerous goods is a broad term used to describe substances that can cause harm to people, property or the environment. Several frameworks have developed regulations and codes that individuals must follow to ensure health and safety when handling and transporting these kinds of goods.
9 Classes of Dangerous Goods With Examples
Hazardous materials are broken down into distinct categories depending on their risk level. This comprehensive classification system makes it easier to identify dangers and adjust procedures as necessary. The nine classes are:
1. Explosives
This hazard class involves all materials that can either conflagrate or detonate when a chemical reaction takes place. Explosives can be subdivided into six categories depending on their behavior. Common types of explosives include fireworks, primers and ammunition/ cartridges.
2. Flammable Gases
Compressed gases, liquified gases and refrigerated gases can be toxic and flammable. Flammable gases can also include a mixture of one or more gases. Some examples include helium and helium compounds, refrigerant gases, fire extinguishers and aerosols.
3. Flammable Liquids
Within this category, you’ll find liquids, mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids that are all flammable. This composition makes them volatile and difficult to transport because of their potential to ignite. Flammable liquids include common household products like paints, lacquers and kerosene, as well as diesel fuel, turpentine and aviation fuel.
4. Flammable Solids
Flammable solids also have the potential to heat up, combust and cause fires during transportation. Some flammable solids could even become combustible when it comes into contact with water. Examples of these types of solids include oily fabrics or cotton waste, metal powders and sodium batteries.
5. Oxidizing
This classification can be broken down into either oxidizing agents or organic peroxides. Both of these types of dangerous goods can react with flammable and combustible materials, causing fires that are hard to extinguish. Some examples of oxidizing dangerous goods are hydrogen peroxide, ammonium nitrate fertilizers and aluminum nitrate.
6. Toxic and Infectious
These are substances that can cause serious injury or death if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Along with disease-causing agents like parasites, bacteria and viruses, toxic substances include medical and biomedical waste, medical cultures and samples and clinical waste.
7. Radioactive
Materials that emit radiation can cause harm to the human body. These materials contain an unstable nucleus, or radionuclides, which releases radioactive energy. Along with household products like smoke detectors, radioactive goods include density gauges, depleted uranium and surface-contaminated objects.
8. Corrosives
A corrosive material is highly reactive and capable of either degrading or disintegrating other materials when they come in contact with them. Batteries, battery fluid and fire extinguisher charges are considered corrosive, as well as acids and acid solutions.
9. Miscellaneous
Within the miscellaneous dangerous goods category, you’ll find a range of substances that don’t fall into the other classifications. This can include anything from environmentally hazardous substances to genetically modified organisms.
Stay Safe and in Compliance With Hazmat School
At Hazmat School, we offer the training courses you need to stay safe and compliant. If you work with dangerous goods, our online DOT/ IMDG course will equip you with the knowledge and training you need.
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Manages Hazmat School’s E-Learning courses and blog. Kirstie has extensive experience in the online training and education industry. Kirstie has worked with courses that offer a variety of safety and environmental certifications that satisfy OSHA, EPA and DOT requirements.
