HAZARDS CLASSES AND SYMBOL

Hazards materials are substances, which have the potential to do harm to living issues, damage to property and environmental pollution. these substances are contained in some form of containment system & pose a threst when released.

The United and most international organizations regulating the transportation of hazardous material recognize 9 (nine) classes of hazardous materials. The classes are listed below ;

1. Explosive

Explosive Symbol

Explosive that have a mass explosion hazard. A mass explosion is one that affects almost the entire load instantaneously.     
Example : Black powder, dynamite, TNT, blasting cap, Nitroglycerin.

2. Gas

•   Flammable gas e.g. LPG, Hydrogen

        

Flammable Gas

• Non Flammable, Non Toxic Gas e.g. Nitrogen, Helium, Carbon Dioxide

Non-Flammable Gas

Toxic Gas e.g. Chlorine, Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia

Toxic Gas Symbol

3. LIQUID

This section deals with flammable liquids. There are liquids which have flash points less than 38% C ( 100⁰ F ) liquids with flash point at or above 38% are classified as combustibles.

Example : petrol, Alcohol, Thinner, Kerosene

Flammable liquids symbol

4. SOLID 

Substances liable to spontaneous combustion. Flammable solids e.g. cotton, sulfur, wetted TNT.

Flammable solid symbol

5. OXIDIZING

Generally, oxidizers are compounds that liberate oxygen when the react with other substances intensifying the fire.
Examples of oxidizers are : Ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxides, calcium hypochlorite (bleaching agents).

Oxidizing symbol

Oxidizers are compounds which are capable of reacting with and oxidizing (i.e., giving off oxygen) other materials. A well known example of oxidation is the process we know as corrosion, where the metal reacts with air to form the metal oxides referred to as "rust". 

The primary hazard associated with this class of compounds lies in their ability to act as an oxygen source, and thus to readily stimulate the combustion of organic materials. As you may recall, it takes three components for a fire to happen - a fuel source (usually an organic compound, such as paper), an ignition source (such as a flame, a spark, friction, etc.) and an oxygen source (in this case - a cylinder of OXYGEN, a strong oxidizer).

6. POISON 

Poisons are substances that can cause death or serious health effects upon exposure to lethal dosage. 

Examples : Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Fluoride.

Poison symbol

     7. RADIOACTIVE

Radioactives are substances which emits radiation : Alpha, Beta and Gamma.To minimize exposure, adopt the principle of time – distance – shield.

Radioactive symbol

• Alpha  particles can travel only a few inches in the air and lose their energy almost as soon as they collide with anything. A sheet of paper or the outer layer of a person's skin can easily stop alpha particles.
• Beta    particles move faster and are much lighter than alpha particles. They can travel in the air for a distance of a few feet. Beta particles can pass through a sheet of paper but can be stopped by a sheet of aluminum or glass.
• Gamma  rays are waves of pure energy and are similar to x-rays. They travel at the speed of light through air or open spaces. Concrete, lead, or steel is commonly used to block gamma rays. 

8. CORROSIVE

Corrosives are the most widely substances in industry.

Example : sulfuric & nitric acid, caustic soda, battery acid. Sulfur acid is the most common industrial chemical produced and used. Corrosives cause skin damage. Dilution and neutralization are recommended.

Corrosive Symbol

9. MISCELLANEOUS

Miscellaneous, Dangerous, Substances & Articles. e.g. Chemical wastes, Fumigated containers, Asbestos.

Miscellaneous symbol

Closing : So the details of the 9 classes of hazardous materials, if there is a lack of information that has not been updated please write in the comment field to add our shared insight and if this information useful please share to our other colleagues.