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Signage and Placecards

Dangerous Goods are grouped in nine classes, according to common dangers. All classes, except infectious substances (Class 6.2) and radioactive substances (Class 7), are controlled by the Dangerous Goods Act 1985.

Each class has a distinctive diamond-shaped symbol with the class number at the bottom of the diamond. These symbols appear on the labels of containers and as signs on vehicle loads. The internationally recognised symbols clearly identify the type of substance and the main danger.

Class Diamond System

Symbol Class Main Danger
Class 1 - Explosive 1 Substances or articles used to produce explosions.
(eg. gunpowder, gelignite)
Class 2.1 - Flammable Gas 2.1 Can ignite in air on contact with a source of ignition.
(eg. LPG)
Class 2.2 - Non Flammable Gas 2.2 Non flammable and non toxic, but may cause suffocation.
(eg. carbon dioxide, nitrogen)
Class 2.3 - Toxic Gas 2.3 Likely to cause death or serious injury if inhaled.
(eg. chlorine, ammonia)
Class 3 - Flammable Liquid 3 Vapours from these liquids can ignite in air on contact with a source of ignition.
(eg. petrol, kerosene)
Class 4.1 - Flammable 4.1 Easily ignited by external sources, such as sparks and flames.
(eg. sulfur, matches)
Class 4.2 - Spontaneously Combustable 4.2 Likely to heat spontaneously and ignite.
(eg. activated carbon, white phosphorus)
Class 4.3 - Dangerous When Wet 4.3 Produce dangerous quantities of flammable or toxic gases when in contact with water. The heat from this reaction may cause these gases to spontaneously ignite.
(eg. calcium carbide sodium)
Class 5.1 - Oxidising Agent 5.1 Not necessarily combustible by themselves, but may yeild oxygen which increases the risk and intensity of fire in other materials with which they come into contact.
(eg. calcium hypochlorite, ammonium nitrate)
Class 5.2 - Oxidising Peroxide 5.2 Thermally unstable and likely to react dangerously with other substances.
(eg. benzoyl peroxide, MEKP)
Class 6 - Toxic 6 Likely to cause death or serious injury if swallowed, inhaled or brought into contact with skin.
(eg. sodium cyanide, many pesticides)
Class 7 - Radioactive 7 Materials or combinations of materials that emit harmful radiation.
(eg. uranium, radium)
Class 8 - Corrosive 8 Solids or liquids that can damage living tissue, and may react with many other materials.
(eg. hydrochloric acid, caustic soda)
Class 9 - Miscellaneous 9 Substances and articles that present a danger and not covered by other classes.
(eg. dry ice, asbestos)
Dangerous Goods   Mixed Class Label (for road transport)
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