United States hazmat markings

English: Dangerous goods transportation markings used in the United States. The notable difference between United States Department of Transportation markings and international ADR standards is the use of words and multiple placards/labels of the same sub-class.

Placards

Placards are mounted on motor vehicles, rail cars, shipping containers. The minimum size is 9.84 inches (250 mm) on each side.

Class 1 - Explosives

• 
  1 - Explosives
• 
  1.1 - Mass Explosion hazard
• 
  1.2 - Projection hazard
• 
  1.3 - Fire/minor blast hazard
• 
  Minor Explosion hazard
• 
  Very insensitive mass explosion hazard
• 
  Extremely insensitive explosive, no mass explosion hazard

Class 2 - Gases

• 
  2.1 - Flammable gas
• 
  2.2 - Non-flammable gas
• 
  2.2 - Alternate placard for Oxygen.
• 
  2.3 - Poisonous gas
• 
  2.3 - Alternate placard for poisonous gases that require Inhalation Hazard.

Class 3 - Flammable Liquids

• 
  3 - Flammable Liquid
• 
  3 - Alternate placard, for materials that have a flash point at or above 100 °F (38 °C).
• 
  3 - Alternate placard, for fuel oil when traveling by roadway.
• 
  3 - Alternate placard, for gasoline when traveling by roadway.

Class 4 - Flammable Solids

• 
  4.1 - Flammable solid
• 
  4.2 - Material ignites on contact with air or can self ignite without external ignition or heat source.
• 
  4.3 - Spontaneously combusts or gives off flammable or toxic gases when exposed to water.

Class 5 - Oxidizing agents

• 
  5.1 - Oxidizing material.
• 
  5.2 - Organic Peroxide

Class 6 - Toxic and infectious substances

• 
  6.1 - For materials not in Hazard Zone A or B.
• 
  6.1 - For materials in Hazard Zone A or B.
• 
  6.1 - Alternate placard, for use with materials not in Hazard Zone A or B.
• 
  6.1 - Alternate placard, for use with less toxic materials, in Hazard Zone D.

Class 7 - Radioactive

• 
  7 - Radioactive materials

Class 8 - Corrosives

• 
  8 - Substances that destroy skin or corrode steel or aluminum in a specified period of time.

Class 9 - Miscellaneous

• 
  9 - Other hazardous materials not covered by the above categories.

Other placards - Not classified

These are placards that are not placed into a class.

• 
  Optional placard, for replacing multiple placards on vehicles carrying small quantities of different hazardous materials.
• 
  Dangerous goods packaged in small quantities (such as for retail distribution) and pose less risk than larger or bulk shipments. The placard is only used in sea transport.
• 
  Placard for select cargos that are classified as a marine pollutant.

Former Placards

Placards that are no longer allowed or prescribed for use.

• 
  4.3 - Phased out between 2000 - 2004, in favor of the 4.3 'Dangerous When Wet' placard.
• 
  6.1b - Used for less toxic materials. Replaced by 6.1 PG III.
• 
  Phased out on 14 January 2010, in favor of the international version, featuring the dead fish and tree.
• 
  5.2 - Phased out from 2007 to 2014 in favor of the current design, which features a red top half.

Labels

Labels are intended to mark individual containers, such as boxes, oil drums, jerrycans and other smaller containers that are then loaded inside of vehicles and intermodal containers. The minimum size is 3.9 inches (99 mm) on each side. Note: Classes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 use the same designs as placards, just smaller.

Class 1 - Explosives

1.1 - 1.6 are identical to their placard designs.

• 
  1 - Subsidiary Risk label - Risk of explosion, however this risk is not the primary hazard posed by this material.

Class 3 - Flammable Liquids

• 
  3 - Flammable Liquid

Class 6 - Toxic substances

• 
  6.2 - Infectious materials

Class 7 - Radioactive

• 
  7 - Extremely low level radiation - Category I
• 
  7 - Low level radiation - Category II
• 
  7 - Higher level radiation - Category III
• 
  7 - Contains fissile materials

Class 9 - Miscellaneous

• 
  9 - Marking for packages containing lithium batteries

Markings

Other markings found on hazardous material containers and vehicles carrying them.

• 
  Warning label, that a container, rail car or vehicle has been fumigated to prevent spread of invasive pests.
• 
  Marking for indicating correct orientation of the container.
• 
  Inhalation Hazard - For marking containers with the required phrase "Inhalation Hazard" if the placard does not contain it.
• 
  Keep awy from heat - For package shipped by aircraft, that are self-reactive substances of Division 4.1 or organic peroxides of Division 5.2

Limited Quantities

Dangerous goods packaged in small quantities (such as for retail distribution) and pose less risk than larger or bulk shipments.

• 
  Surface transport (Sea, road, rail)
• 
  Air transport

Former markings

• 
  ORM-D label, used for limited quantities intended for retail sale or personal use. Discontinued on 1 January 2021 and replaced by the "Limited Quantity Mark".
• 
  ORM-D label, used for limited quantities intended for retail sale or personal use, that could travel by air. Discontinued on 31 December 2012 and replaced by the "Limited Quantity - Air Mark".
• 
  Same as the ORM-D, but specifically for firearm ammunition, that can travel by air.
• 
  Same as the ORM-D-AIR, but specifically for firearm ammunition, that can travel by air.
• 
  9 - Phased on 20 January, 2021, in favor of the version that omits the horizontal line below the vertical bars.

See also

• ADR labels of danger - International standards for dangerous goods markings
• Dangerous goods

References

• DOT Chart 16 - Hazardous Materials Markings, Labeling and Placarding Guide (PDF) (August 2017). Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved on 6 August 2019.