US DOT HazMat Placards

These pages provide US DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) definitions for each hazmat placard used in transportation. Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (49CFR) also known as the Federal Motor Carriers Safty Regulations (FMCSR) requires the use hazardous materials placards when shipping hazardous materials cargo and dangerous goods in the United States. Canada, Mexico and many other countries have simular regulations that also require the use of these placards.

Four Digit UN Numbers on Placards

Have you ever wondered what those four digit numbers on the placards on the side of trucks and rail cars mean? UN/NA numbers (the four digit number) found on bulk placards refer to specific chemicals or groups of chemicals and are assigned by the United Nations and/or the United States Department of Transportation. Our online USDOT 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook will help you find out what the four digit numbers you see on placards mean.

Clipart CD of Placards Available

CDs containing high-resolution "clipart" versions of each hazmat placard can be purchased from us for $50 U.S. including shipping (via U.S. Mail). This CD now contains the USDOT's hazardous materials transportation training modules as a free bonus. For more information and/or to order the CD, please see our placarding CD ordering page.

Class 1 Explosives - 49CFR 173.50

Image map of class 1 placards
1.1 Explosives1.2 Explosives1.3 Explosives1.4 Explosives1.5 Blasting Agents1.6 Explosives

Class 2 Compressed Gasses - 49CFR 173.115

Image map of class 2 placards
2.1 Flammable Gas2.2 Non-Flammable Gas2.2 Oxygen2.3 Poison Gas

Class 3 Flammable Liquids - 49CFR 173.120

Image map of class 3 placards
3 Flammable Liquid3 Cumbustable Liquid3 Gasoline3 Fuel Oil

Class 4 Flammable Solids - 49CFR 173.124

Image map of class 4 placards
4.1 Flammable Solid4.2 Spontaneously Combustible4.3 Dangerous When Wet

Class 5 Oxidizers - 49CFR 173.127

Image map of class 5 placards
5.1 Oxidizer5.2 Organic Peroxide

Class 6 Poisons - 49CFR 173.132

Image map of class 6 placards
6.1 Inhalation Hazard6.1 Poison6.1 Toxic6.1 Packing Group III

Class 7 Radioactive Materials- 49CFR Subpart I

Class 8 Corrosive Liquids - 49CFR 173.136

Class 9 Miscellaneous - 49CFR 173.140

Image map of class 9 placards
9 U.S. Miscellaneous9 Canadian Miscellaneous

Other Related Markings

Image map of class 9 placards
Dangerous Marine pollutant

USDOT 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook

Have you ever wondered what those four digit numbers on the placards on the side of trucks and rail cars mean? UN/NA numbers (the four digit number) found on bulk placards refer to specific chemicals or groups of chemicals and are assigned by the United Nations and/or the United States Department of Transportation. Our online USDOT 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook will help you find out what the four digit numbers you see on placards mean.

Related Resources

  • Guide for Handling Household Chemicals
    Things you can do to make your home safer.
  • USDOT Hazardous Materials Table 49 CFR 172.101
    An online version of the USDOT hazardous materials table from 49CFR 172.101. This table can be sorted by proper shipping name, UN/NA ID and/or by primary hazard class/division.
  • ERG (Emergency Response Guidebook)
    Have you ever wondered what those four digit numbers on the placards on the side of trucks and rail cars mean? Our online 2004ERG will give you your answer. This is an online version of the guidebook produced by the USDOT for first responders during the initial phase of a Dangerous goods/HazMat incident.
  • Chemical Database
    This database focuses on the most common chemical compounds used in the home and industry.

Copyright Notice

While excerpts from the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 (49CFR) and the "Emergency Response Guidebook" are in the public domain, the image files on these pages, the design of these pages as well as all other materials on this site and graphics files are copyrighted by J.K. Barbalace, inc. Copyrighted material on this site, including graphics files, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED in any form without the express permission.

References

Disclaimer

WARNING: These pages are for general reference and educational purposes only and MUST NOT be relied upon as a sole source to determine regulatory compliance or where matters of life and health are concerned. This site and the author do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or the sufficiency of the information provided and do not assume any responsibility for its use.

To ensure regulatory compliance when transporting hazardous materials or dangerous goods, one must receive proper training and certification from a qualified instructor and refer to the current year's Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 (49CFR) or your country's shipping regulations. In matters regarding workplace safety, refer to current OSHA regulations (29CFR) and NIOSH guidelines or your own country's health and safety regulations. No one should ever enter into a hazardous environment without proper training from qualified instructors.

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