A hazardous materials placard is a standardized sign used to identify the presence of dangerous substances during transport or storage. These placards feature specific colors, symbols, and numbers to indicate the type of hazard, such as flammability, toxicity, or radioactivity. They are crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with regulations, allowing emergency responders and workers to quickly assess risks associated with the materials. Proper use of these placards helps prevent accidents and ensures the safe handling of hazardous materials.
It is a DOT hazardous materials placard indicating compressed oxygen.
The placard on a tanker carrying hazardous materials will tell you the class of the hazard (flammable, explosive, corrosive, etc). If you have access to the North American Guide or a similar reference, the placard will also tell you something a bit more specific about the identity of the hazardous material - its category, or sometimes its chemical name.
The hazard class of the substance being carried
Shipment contains a mixed load of hazardous materials
Hazardous materials identified in vehicles and rail cars through the use of placards.
The DOT hazardous materials placard for organic peroxides may be - an all-yellow diamond shape with "ORGANIC PEROXIDE" and "5.2" lettering, or - the revised DOT placard which is red on top and yellow on the bottom, with a stylized flame in the red area.
Placards are not used in maritime shipping of hazardous materials. Even in US ground transportation, placards are not required for the shipment of "Limited Quantities."
4 sides require placards. Front, back, and both left/right sides.
The DOT placard for organic peroxides is a yellow diamond with "ORGANIC PEROXIDE" lettering and the hazard identifying number "5.2" on it. The revised international version is red on top, yellow on the bottom, with a stylized flame symbol in the red and the numbers 5.2 in the yellow.
A hazardous placard on a tanker indicates the presence of dangerous materials being transported, providing essential information about the type of hazard. These placards use specific colors and symbols to communicate risks such as flammability, toxicity, or corrosiveness. They are crucial for emergency responders to assess potential dangers and take appropriate safety measures in case of an accident or spill. Additionally, these labels help ensure compliance with safety regulations during the transportation of hazardous substances.
In the scheme used for transport of hazardous materials there are eight (8) classes of hazardous materials.
A placard identifying hazard class 6 describes the presence of a poisonous gas. For an image, see the related link, below.