MyHazMate
Dangerous Goods Classification Guide
A complete reference to the 9 classes of dangerous goods under Australian transport regulations and international standards.
Dangerous goods are substances or articles that pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during transport. They're classified into 9 classes based on their primary hazard, with some classes having divisions for more specific categorisation.
Understanding dangerous goods classifications is essential for proper labelling, storage, transport, and emergency response. MyHazMate automatically identifies and tracks DG classifications when you scan product labels.
Explosives
Substances and articles that have explosive properties, capable of producing gas at high pressure and temperature when detonated.
Examples: Dynamite, fireworks, ammunition, blasting caps, flares
Flammable Gases
Gases that are ignitable when mixed with air at certain concentrations, creating fire or explosion risks.
Examples: LPG, propane, butane, acetylene, hydrogen, aerosol cans
Non-Flammable, Non-Toxic Gases
Gases under pressure that are neither flammable nor toxic, but may cause asphyxiation or cold burns.
Examples: Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, compressed air, helium, argon
Toxic Gases
Gases known to be toxic or corrosive to humans, posing inhalation hazards even in small concentrations.
Examples: Chlorine, ammonia (anhydrous), hydrogen sulfide, phosgene
Flammable Liquids
Liquids with flash points below 60°C that give off flammable vapours, creating fire and explosion hazards.
Examples: Petrol, diesel, acetone, alcohols, paints, thinners, solvents
Flammable Solids
Solids that are readily combustible, or may cause fire through friction, self-reactive substances, and desensitised explosives.
Examples: Matches, sulfur, celluloid, magnesium ribbons, nitrocellulose
Spontaneously Combustible
Substances that can ignite spontaneously when exposed to air or heat up through oxidation without external ignition.
Examples: White phosphorus, charcoal, oily rags, metal powders
Dangerous When Wet
Substances that react with water to emit flammable gases, which may ignite spontaneously.
Examples: Sodium, lithium, calcium carbide, aluminium phosphide
Oxidising Substances
Substances that release oxygen, intensifying fires and potentially causing other materials to combust.
Examples: Hydrogen peroxide, calcium hypochlorite, ammonium nitrate, potassium permanganate
Organic Peroxides
Organic compounds containing oxygen that are thermally unstable and may undergo self-accelerating decomposition.
Examples: Benzoyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, peracetic acid
Toxic Substances
Substances that can cause death, serious injury, or harm to human health through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.
Examples: Pesticides, cyanides, arsenic compounds, lead compounds, mercury
Infectious Substances
Substances containing pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites) that can cause disease in humans or animals.
Examples: Medical specimens, biological cultures, clinical waste, blood samples
Radioactive Material
Materials containing radionuclides that emit ionising radiation, requiring special handling and shielding.
Examples: Medical isotopes, smoke detectors, uranium compounds, radioactive waste
Corrosive Substances
Substances that cause destruction of living tissue or damage materials on contact through chemical action.
Examples: Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, bleach, battery acid
Miscellaneous
Substances and articles that present dangers not covered by other classes, including environmental hazards.
Examples: Lithium batteries, dry ice, asbestos, airbag modules, environmentally hazardous substances
Understanding UN Numbers
Every dangerous good is assigned a UN Number — a four-digit identifier used internationally to identify hazardous substances during transport. This number appears on shipping documents, labels, and placards.
Petrol (Gasoline)
Class 3 Flammable Liquid. Flash point below 23°C. One of the most commonly transported dangerous goods.
When you scan a product label with MyHazMate, our AI automatically identifies the UN number and looks up the corresponding dangerous goods classification, ensuring accurate records in your register.
Common UN Numbers in Australian Workplaces
UN 1950 (Aerosols), UN 1263 (Paint), UN 1170 (Ethanol), UN 1090 (Acetone), UN 1993 (Flammable Liquid N.O.S.), UN 2794 (Lead-acid batteries), UN 1824 (Sodium hydroxide solution)
Placarding Requirements
Australian regulations require dangerous goods placards to be displayed on:
- Vehicles — Trucks, trailers, and containers transporting dangerous goods
- Storage areas — Bulk storage tanks, warehouses, and designated DG storage areas
- Packages — Individual packages containing dangerous goods above certain thresholds
Placards must display:
- The hazard class symbol (diamond-shaped warning label)
- The class number (e.g., "3" for flammable liquids)
- The UN number for bulk containers
- Any subsidiary risk labels if applicable
Storage Segregation
Certain dangerous goods classes are incompatible and must not be stored together. For example, oxidisers (5.1) must be segregated from flammable liquids (3) to prevent fire escalation. MyHazMate can help you identify storage incompatibilities based on DG classifications.
Track dangerous goods automatically
MyHazMate identifies UN numbers and DG classes when you scan product labels, building a complete register with proper classifications.
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