Safety equipment

Storage Equipment

Dangerous goods class labels, hazard signs and emergency-information holders. The right item depends on the goods' class and whether you are storing or transporting.

Which dangerous goods sign or label do I need?

Identify the class first

Dangerous goods are grouped into nine classes. Read the class (and any subsidiary risk) from the product's Safety Data Sheet (section 14) or transport documents — never guess it:

  1. Explosives · 2. Gases (2.1 flammable / 2.2 non-flammable / 2.3 toxic) · 3. Flammable liquids · 4. Flammable solids / spontaneously combustible / dangerous-when-wet · 5. Oxidisers / organic peroxides · 6. Toxic / infectious · 7. Radioactive · 8. Corrosive · 9. Miscellaneous.

(Source: NTC — Australian Dangerous Goods Code.)

Label, placard, EIP or holder?

  • Self-adhesive class label — the diamond, for identifying packages and receptacles.
  • Emergency Information Panel (EIP) — the vehicle panel (sides and rear) for a placard load, showing the UN number, proper shipping name and emergency contacts.
  • Emergency Information Holder — the in-cabin document holder, separate from the EIP. A placard-load vehicle needs both.

When is signage required?

A workplace storing hazardous chemicals above the WHS Schedule 11 placarding quantity must display an outer warning HAZCHEM placard — "HAZCHEM" in red letters at least 100 mm high on a white or silver background. Package-storage class diamonds have sides of at least 100 mm; tank/bulk information-placard diamonds have 250 mm sides. (Source: SafeWork NSW — placarding for storage.)

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Buying only the primary class diamond when the SDS also lists a subsidiary risk.
  • Confusing the EIP (external vehicle panel) with the in-cabin Emergency Information Holder — they are different items.
  • Using a package-size diamond on a tank (which needs 250 mm sides).

Transporting goods over the placard-load thresholds (a receptacle over 500 L, or over 500 kg) also requires a dangerous goods driver licence.