9 Classes of Dangerous Goods Transported By Trucks

Further you can learn more about the sub-classification of flammable solids!

As we can see, flammable solids can cause a fire through friction that is why hazmat truck drivers shall be really careful during the transportation process. These dangerous goods can also be in the form of paste or powder.

On the other hand we have the self-reactive substances which can cause a huge exothermic reaction.

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Moreover, these substances are really characteristically defined by their spontaneous heating under normal conditions during the transportation process.

Class 5: Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides

The dangerous goods that go under class 5 are the oxidizing substances and the organic peroxides. These substances have a highly chemical oxidase matter. This oxidase matter comprises the living tissue.

After all the oxidizing substances and the organic peroxide are dangerous goods because they can greatly enhance the flammability of the materials. These dangerous goods as well can liberate oxygen and cause a combustion of other materials.

Later on, these dangerous goods can also be seen as unstable substances because they can undergo exothermic and self-accelerating decomposition. So, here are few of the characteristics of these goods:

1. Burn rapidly;
2. Cause damage to the eyes;
3. React dangerously with other materials;
4. Explosive decomposition;
5. Cause damage to the eyes;

Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances

Toxic and infectious substances are also considered dangerous goods, they are classified under Class 6. This Class has two sub-classifications:

First and foremost the toxic substances are liable to cause serious injury, and can harm the human health, they can even cause death. Yet, on the other hand we have the infectious substances, or better known as pathogens.

The pathogens in fact are microorganisms in the form of viruses, bacteria, parasites, as well as fungi. These pathogens can cause harm and death to both humans and animals.

Class7: Radioactive substances

I must not forget to put enough attention to the radioactive substances.

Radioactive substances are highly dangerous goods that can emit ionizing radiation. The radioactive substances are under the Class 7. Thereupon these dangerous goods are divided into three categories:

Class 8: Corrosives

Equally important is Class 8 which is comprising the corrosives. So, these dangerous goods can cause damage is they come in contact with people and animals, that is to say with living tissue.

Therefore, if hazmat truck drivers notice that while transporting corrosives there is a leakage, they should be really careful and take all preventative measures, because otherwise, the leakage of these dangerous goods can destroy other materials.

Class 9:  Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

Class 9 Dangerous goods are substances and articles that during transport present a danger not covered in other classes. This class includes substances that are transported or offered for transport at given temperature.

Dangerous Goods Placards

The importance of dangerous goods placarding is of the same importance as recognizing the hazardous materials.

Well, dangerous goods placards have been designed to send a precaution to all people who are engaged on the roads. Each hazmat truck driver should know how to properly placard the vehicle.

Thereupon, the dangerous goods placards are only allowed to be improperly placarded only if they are driving in an emergency situation.

So, it is really important that hazmat truck drivers place the appropriate placards on both the front and the back of the vehicle.

As I mentioned before the aim of the placards is to increase the safety on the road, and straight proportionally to that each placard should:

1. Be easily seen from the front and the back of the truck;
2. The numbers are level and read from the left to the right;
3. The front placard shall be placed on the front of the tractor or the front of the trailer;
4. Placards shall indicate the total weight of all classes of hazardous materials in the vehicle;

Dangerous Goods Regulations

By the classification of the dangerous goods we can see that they can be highly hazardous to humans, animals and the environment, thereupon as such they are under regulations of the Department of Transportation.

So, dangerous goods are regulated with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.

In the same manner like the other regulations are undergoing changes, the hazardous materials regulations have undergone through such changes too. Those changes were evident in the last few years, and were introduced in the Docket HM-181.

Yet, the hazardous materials regulations are applicable to:

1. Interstate;
2. Intrastate;
3. Foreign carriers by motor vehicle, rail, car, air;

Also, part of these changes about the dangerous goods regulations are being affected by:

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA);
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA);
• Federal Railway Administration (FRA);
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA);
• United States Coast Guard (USCG);

Shipper’s Responsibilities When Transporting Dangerous Goods

Dangerous Goods Shipping Papers

When hazmat truck drivers are shipping dangerous goods they shall always pay attention to the shipping papers.

Dangerous goods shipping papers are required both to domestic and international hazmat product shipments.