GUIDANCE NOTE 042

DANGEROUS GOODS
CLASS LABELS
Involvement in handling, storing or transporting of dangerous goods requires that you learn to recognise the various symbols on labels and
that you learn about the properties of the substances.
Dangerous goods are assigned to one of nine classes dependant on the main danger presented.
It is important that you know which goods produce toxic gas; which are highly flammable; which are dangerous when wet; or which are
dangerous when they come into contact with air.
More detailed information about dangerous goods and their properties can be found in the 7th edition of the Australian Dangerous Goods
Code. You can find this document on the National Transport Commission website www.ntc.gov.au

Class 1.4 – Explosives which are

Class 1.1 – Explosives not a significant mass explosion
** is for division and hazard e.g. flares, fireworks,
compatibility group safety cartridges, etc. * is for
(Orange background) compatibility group
(Orange background)

Class 1.5 – Explosives with a Class 1.6 – Substances which

mass explosion hazard, but are are a minor explosion hazard,
insensitive substances. very insensitive substances.
(Orange background) (Orange background)

Class 2.2 – Gases that are non

Class 2.1 – Gases that can ignite
flammable but may cause
in air on contact with a source of
asphyxiation and/ or represent
ignition.
stored energy hazard.
(Red background)
(Green background)

Class 2.3 – Gases likely to cause

Class 3 –Liquids, the vapours of
death or serious injury to human
which can ignite in air on contact
health if exposed or by skin
with a source of ignition.
contact.
(Red background)
(White background)

www.act.gov.au/accesscbr
 DANGEROUS GOODS CLASS LABELS

Class 4.1 – Solids easily ignited Class 4.2 – Substances liable

e.g. by sparks or flames, or liable to spontaneously heat up and
to cause fire through friction. ignite.
(Red and white stripe background) (Red background to lower half )

Class 4.3 – Substance which Class 5.1 – Substances likely to

emits flammable or toxic gases increase the risk and intensity of
when wet. fire in other materials.
(Blue background) (Yellow background)

Class 6.1 – Toxic substances

Class 5.2 - Substances that are
likely to cause death or severe
thermally unstable and likely
injury to human or animal health
to react dangerously with other
if swallowed, inhaled or by skin
substances.
contact.
(Yellow background)
(White background)

Class 7 – Substances (solid or

Class 6.2 - Infectious substances
liquid) which spontaneously
liable to cause death or severe
emit ionising radiation.
injury to human or animal health
Category I, determined by
if swallowed, inhaled or by skin
radiation level of transport
contact.
package. (Lowest level)
(White background)
(White background)

Class 7 - Substances (solid or Class 7 – Substances (solid or

liquid) which spontaneously liquid) which spontaneously
emit ionising radiation. emit ionising radiation.
Category II determined by Category III determined by
radiation level of transport radiation level of transport
package. package.
(Yellow background to upper half ) (Yellow background to upper half )

Class 8 – Solids or liquids able Class 9 – Substances and

to cause, to varying severity, articles which during transport
damage to living tissue. Maybe present a danger not covered by
either acidic or caustic in nature. other classes.
(Black and white) (White background)

Further Information | Phone: Access Canberra on 13 22 81 | Email: dangeroussubstances@act.gov.au | Web: www.act.gov.au/accesscbr

Note: This guidance material has been prepared using the best information available to Access Canberra. Any information about legislative obligations or responsibilities
included in this material is only applicable to the circumstances described in the material. You should always check the legislation referred to in this material and make your
own judgement about what action you may need to take to ensure you have complied with the law. Accordingly, Access Canberra extends no warranties as to the suitability
of the information for your specific situation.

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