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Here are the 9 classes of hazardous categories and their subclasses
explained
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info about hazardous substances | Information
about Hazchem Classes
| Class
1 Explosives |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
| |
 |
These materials will explode |
Pyrotechnics
Fireworks
TNT
Nitro-glycerine
|
| Class
2 Gases |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
| 2.1 Flammable Gases
|
 |
These are gases which will burn
|
Propane
Butane
Acetylene
Hydrogen
LPG |
Class 2.2
Non-flammable
Non-toxic gases |
 |
These gases are usually
compressed and so are a source of stored energy and some
may also present an anoxic hazard (that is, they will
exclude oxygen and so kill through asphyxiation). These
containers may rocket if valves are damaged or containers
are involved in a fire. |
Oxygen
Air
Carbon
dioxide
Nitrogen
|
| Class 2.3 Toxic Gas
|
 |
These gases are toxic.
Being gases they will rapidly disperse if there is a leak.
This may reduce the concentration and the hazard, but
it will also spread the gas further, so increasing the
risk of poisoning people. |
Chlorine
Methyl
Bromide
Nitric
Acid |
| Class
3 Flammable Liquids |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
| |
 |
These liquids will
burn. |
Petrol
Alcohol
Paraffin |
| Class
4 Flammable Solids |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
Class 4.1
Flammable solids
self- reactive and related substances and desensitised
explosives |
 |
Solids easily ignited
and readily combustible. These are ordinarily flammable
solids which don't fit into Class 4.2 or 4.3 |
Sulphur
Phosphorus
Picric Acid |
| Class 4.2 Spontaneously
combustible |
 |
The materials will
catch fire if exposed to air without any heat being applied
(that is, the heat from the normal air is sufficient for
them to catch fire - no other source of heat is required).
|
Charcoal (non-activated) |
| Class 4.3 Dangerous
when wet |
 |
This class is also
know as 'Emits flammable gases when wet'. This class has
a particular hazard: not only can moisture from the air
cause a fire, but if water or foam is used to extinguish
them, it will make the situation worse. |
Calcium
Carbide |
| Class
5 Oxidising substances |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
Class 5.1
Oxidising agent |
 |
These are all oxidising
agents other than organic peroxides. When substances burn
in air, they combine with oxygen and so are said to have
been oxidised. Other chemicals have a similar 'burning'
effect and so are said to be oxidising agents. The largest
group of these are organic peroxides |
Chlorine
Calcium
Hypochlorite
Sodium
Peroxide |
Class 5.2
Organic peroxides (liquid or solid) |
 |
These are a particular
class of oxidising agent. They have all the normal hazards
of oxidising agents (that is, they will cause a 'chemical
burning'). In addition, they will often be explosive under
certain conditions - especially, if they are allowed to
dry out |
Benzoyl Peroxides
Methyl ethyl Ketone peroxides (MEKP) |
| Class
6 Poisonous & infectious substances |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
| Class 6.1a Toxic |
 |
These are liable to
cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled,
swallowed or absorbed through the skin. They are covered
by special regulations and need special recognition. |
Cyanides
Lead
Arsenic
|
| Class 6.1b Harmful
|
 |
These materials which
must be stored away from food stuffs but which are not
classified as poisons. |
Pesticides
Heavy Metals |
Class 6.2
Infectious Substances |
 |
Substances containing
viable micro-organisms that may cause disease in humans
or animals |
Diagnostic specimens or live vaccines
|
| Class
7 Radioactive substances |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
| |
 |
Materials or combinations
of materials which spontaneously emit ionising radiation.
|
Uranium
Radio Isotopes
Plutonium |
| Class
8 Corrosives |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
| |
 |
These chemicals will
eat away at a wide range of materials including some materials
of construction for tanks and probably your eyes and skin.
Care must be taken to ensure the containers and packages
are made from the right materials and the chemicals do
not contact your clothes, skin or eyes. Special protective
equipment needs to be worn. |
Hydrochloric
acid
Sodium
Hypochlorite (liquid pool chlorine)
Sodium
Hydroxide (caustic soda) |
| Class
9 Miscellaneous Goods |
| sub class |
symbol |
Description |
Examples |
| |
 |
Substances and articles
which have potentially dangerous properties that are relatively
minor, or are not covered by any of the classes already
described |
Aerosols
Polyester beads |
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