Why This List Matters To You
You help move a vast stream of risk-laden freight. PHMSA’s “By the Numbers” dashboard clocks about 1.2 million hazmat shipments every day - over 1.6 billion tons each year. The agency’s “Check the Box” campaign notes around 1,500 undeclared-hazmat incidents every year - almost all traced back to shippers who skipped the basics. Learning the classes keeps you in the safe-arrival column and off the incident list.The nine classes at a glance
Tape this quick chart to the dock wall. It turns new hires into informed helpers before the first break.Hazard Classes for Fully Regulated Items: Let’s Dig a Little Deeper
Class | What it covers | Everyday example |
1 – Explosives | Rapid energy release | Fireworks cartons |
2 – Gases | Compressed, liquefied, or dissolved | Propane cylinders |
3 – Flammable liquids | Flash point below 140 °F (60 °C) | Paint thinner cans |
4 – Flammable solids | Burn from friction, heat, or water | Magnesium shavings |
5 – Oxidizers / Organic peroxides | Feed other fires | Pool-chlorine drums |
6 – Toxic & infectious | Harm people or animals | Pesticide totes |
7 – Radioactive | Emit ionizing radiation | Medical isotopes |
8 – Corrosives | Destroy skin or metal | Battery-acid jugs |
9 – Miscellaneous | Other transport risks | Lithium batteries |
Class 2: Gases
Anything held above 29 PSI counts, whether flammable, toxic, or just under pressure. That barbecue cylinder under your porch? It ships as Division 2.1 flammable gas.Class 3: Flammable liquids
If it gives off flammable vapors below 140 °F (60 °C), it’s Class 3. Paints, fuels, hand-sanitizer drums - everyday items that deserve metal cans, good gaskets, and tight lids.Class 4: Flammable solids
Some powders ignite when wet, others by rubbing. Metal turnings and phosphorus sticks fall under this class. Keep them dry, cool, and separate.Class 5: Oxidizers and organic peroxides
These chemicals feed other fires. Calcium hypochlorite can turn a cardboard box into a furnace if stored with oils.Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
This label includes pest-control liquids and lab samples packed in dry ice. Separate them from food and show the skull-and-crossbones to everyone loading the truck.Class 7: Radioactive materials
Hospitals ship tiny vials of technetium every night. Dose limits, shielding, and yellow-III labels make this class look scary, but careful paperwork keeps it routine.Class 8: Corrosives
Drain cleaner bottles and acid batteries share this footprint. They hurt skin and eat steel; choose UN-rated plastic or glass that stands the test.Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous goods
Everything else - lithium batteries, dry ice, magnetized tools, etc., falls under this class. The new lithium-battery label became mandatory several years ago, so double-check your sticker kit.What “Fully Regulated” Really Means
- No shortcuts: You must show the full hazard label, UN ID, and proper shipping name. Consumer-commodity or limited-quantity diamonds do not apply.
- Performance packaging only: Use UN-spec drums, jerricans, boxes, or cylinders tested for the class. A recycled box rarely passes vibration or drop tests.
- Complete shipping papers: Write the description in the HMR order: ID number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, and quantity. Sign the shipper’s certification. Keep one copy for one year (three for waste).
- Mandatory training: Every employee who affects the shipment. Packers, clerks, managers must receive function-specific, safety, and security training at least every three years.
- Security plan when volumes grow: If you ship certain high-consequence materials or large bulk quantities i.e. over 3,000 L (approximately 792.5 gallons) or 3,000 kg (approximately 6,614 lbs), you must maintain a written hazmat security plan and review it yearly.
Embedding Compliance Rules into Daily Practice
- Ask one question first: “Which of the nine classes fits my product?” Every later choice follows that answer.
- Check flash-points and SDS sheets early. HazCom data often hides the true class. Find it before you print labels.
- Label before you load. Put the label on the box while it is still in packing. That simple habit eliminates most dockside mix-ups.
- Log every UN package code. Keep a running list of box codes and test dates; inspectors love fast answers.
- Refresh your knowledge. The 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook revised isolation distances for several toxic gases - details you need when spills happen.
- Celebrate successes. Post a “days without violation” board and share treats when you hit milestones. Positive vibes lock in good practice.
Structured Learning Path: From Beginner to Professional
You can memorize the nine classes during one coffee break. Real mastery comes from practice - spotting the difference between a Class 5.1 oxidizer and a harmless pool-salt bag, or catching a mislabeled aerosol before it reaches the sort belt. Interactive learning helps you build that muscle memory. The best online courses:- Use plain language and real photos, not dense slides.
- Offer short quizzes that mimic everyday decisions.
- Provide printable checklists you can keep on the pallet jack.
- Issue certificates accepted by carriers and regulators.