Labels usually measure at least 3. Labels may also be affixed by adhesive backings. Placards usually measure at least There are also devices that contain hinged metal panels that allow for selecting the appropriate placard. The label and placard information system generally include the following components:. As an example, labels and placards with a white background color usually identify materials in the poisonous primary hazard class, and a red background identifies materials in the flammable liquid or gas primary hazard class.
Materials in the flammable whether solid, liquid, or gas primary hazard class are usually identified with a flame symbol. Refer to the individual label and placard charts for specific examples of this information system. An identification number is a four-digit number generally assigned to each proper shipping name for a hazardous material. The same number may be used for several materials that have similar characteristics, but there are circumstances in which an identification number is used solely with one material, as is the case for number , which represents ONLY chlorine.
Specific information on marking requirements is provided later. Although the identification number can help determine the name of the product or at least narrow the field to a few products with similar characteristics , the name of the hazard class will not be immediately available.
However, first responders can still use the background color, the hazard class number, and the symbol to determine the hazard class. And although a placard for a gas that is poisonous by inhalation may also display a hazard class number 2, the placard for this material would use a white background color and a skull and crossbones symbol, differentiating it from a flammable gas placard.
Even though these subsidiary hazards may be displayed on some occasions, determining if subsidiary hazards are present usually requires additional research using information sources such as a material safety data sheet.
The decision to use a specific label or placard depends on the requirements of the transportation regulations. This document provides general requirements, such as the types of containers to be marked and the type of label or placard to be used. There are also requirements that prohibit the use of labels and placards, and, although at first glance they might appear to be contrary to the best interest of first responders, these requirements usually offer safeguards.
Another requirement prohibits the use of a four-digit identification number on a radioactive placard, meaning that if a four-digit number is displayed along with a placard during the transportation of a radioactive hazardous material, it must done in a manner that does not replace the hazard class name displayed on the placard. This is typically accomplished by displaying the four-digit identification number in an orange rectangular panel or a white square-on-point configuration.
This requirement allows for both the hazard class name and the four-digit identification number to be displayed simultaneously, unlike situations stated earlier where the four-digit identification number may be used in lieu of the hazard class name.
In addition to exceptions and prohibited placarding, there is an allowance for permissive placarding, meaning that placards can be used even though an exception may exist. The intent of permissive placarding is admirable, but the unfortunate reality is that those responsible for transporting hazardous materials may be reluctant to placard transport vehicles unless it is absolutely necessary, since doing so may, among other things, garner unwanted attention from enforcement officials.
It is important to remember that the exceptions discussed earlier constitute a potential danger to first responders who erroneously equate the absence of a label or a placard on a package or transport vehicle with the absence of a threat from a hazardous material. Furthermore, never forget that labels and placards are used ONLY during the transporting of a hazardous material and therefore are NOT required by the transportation regulations for transport vehicles relegated for use as on-site storage containers such as at construction sites.
Neither are labels and placards generally required on storage tanks or buildings for use at fixed facilities. Unless there is an exception, labels and placards must be displayed whenever a person offers a hazardous material for transportation or transports a hazardous material.
As stated earlier, labels are affixed to packages and can be printed on the exterior surface of the package or can be displayed through means such as an adhesive label. The requirements to display placards on a transport vehicle generally affect those transporting individual packages or materials in bulk form, such as cargo tanks.
Placards are generally required on each side and each end of the transport vehicle. However, the required placarding of the front of a motor vehicle may be on the front of a truck-tractor instead of, or in addition to, the placarding on the front of the cargo body to which the truck tractor is attached.
Beware that the aerodynamic design of some truck tractors may incorporate a cab configuration intended to direct air flow around the trailer and, as such, may block the front of the cargo body, thereby making it difficult to see a placard placed there. Vans or flatbed trucks usually are used to transport individual packages.
As an example, a transport vehicle containing packages with an aggregate gross weight of pounds of a material whose primary hazard class is corrosive is exempt from displaying corrosive placards. This is an advantage to first responders, since the weight of a container counts toward the total weight required to placard a transport vehicle as opposed to the weight of only the material itself.
Hazard classes found in Table 1 include certain types of organic peroxides, materials that are poisonous inhalation hazards, and various types of radioactive materials. Placards for materials from Table 1 must be affixed to a transport vehicle whenever that vehicle contains any amount of these materials, regardless of weight, since the exemptions afforded Table 2 materials do not apply.
Refer to the Placarding Tables on page for a complete list of Table 1 and Table 2 hazard classes. Once hazardous materials are no longer being transported on vehicles such as vans and flatbeds, placards must be removed , since, as was stated previously, it is prohibited to display a placard for a hazard class that is not represented.
However, the specific requirements for this type of marking include several provisions and limitations that must be taken into consideration prior to use. As was discussed earlier, display of an identification number is typically accomplished by having the four-digit identification number in the center of the hazard class placard. However, in some circumstances, the four-digit identification number may be displayed on an orange rectangular panel or by using a white square-on-point configuration.
Placards are larger versions of labels placed on transport vehicles and bulk packages of a larger size. Due to their size, they are generally more durable. There are also markings, which are additional identifiers that describe the contents of the package in greater detail. In order to stay in tune with the regulations set out by 49 CFR, markings are mandatory to have on a package when relevant. The appearance of the label or the placard is dependent on the hazard, organized into 9 different classes.
There are separate colors that distinguish each class. All of them need to stand out with a background that contrasts the text for legibility while being distinguishable from the packaging medium that they come in.
There are specific rules regarding color, shape, and size for the labels, and the text cannot be anything other than black or white. On top of that, the text must be in plain American English. The label needs to be placed on one side of the package, while a placard must be placed on all four sides of the container and remain a fair distance away from any other surrounding markings.
Markings are not governed by such strict design rules, but they do need to be clear in their description. Labels and the placards are placed on a storage container to disclose the following: Universal Communication Labels on storage containers convey multiple pieces of information at once. They describe the chemical inside, the hazard it presents, how it needs to be handled, and where the packages should be placed.
Colors, words and graphics One of the easiest ways to identify hazmat placards, other than the class numbers, is by the color along with the words and graphics on each sign : Orange Orange represents explosive materials which can include products like dynamite, fireworks and ammunition.
Questions you may have about hazmat placards and freight Is it safe to drive near a truck carrying hazmat freight? Some of these rules require carriers to: Perform truck safety inspections before and during the trip Avoid heavily populated areas when possible Park more than five feet away from roadways and more than feet from bridges, workplaces, tunnels and homes other than for brief periods during required operations Which hazmat class is the most dangerous?
Why are there multiple placards on a truck? Can carriers transport multiple types of dangerous goods in one truck? Posted in: Safety and Security. Shipping Information. America's Road Team. Throwback Thursday. Industry Insights. Trade Show. ABF Load Team. ABF Road Team. Retail Shipping. Supply Chain. ABF Freight. Time-Critical Shipping. Cross-Border Shipping.
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