Dangerous goods are substances and articles that have explosive, flammable, toxic, infectious or corrosive properties. They pose a risk to public safety, property or the environment.
Dangerous goods classes, divisions and packing groups
Dangerous goods substances and articles are allocated to one of 9 classes. Some of these classes are subdivided into divisions:
Class 1: Explosives
- Division 1.1: Substances and articles that have a mass explosion hazard
- Division 1.2: Substances and articles that have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard
- Division 1.3: Substances and articles that have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard
- Division 1.4: Substances and articles that present no significant hazard
- Division 1.5: Very insensitive substances that have a mass explosion hazard
- Division 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles that do not have a mass explosion hazard
Class 2: Gases
- Division 2.1: Flammable gases
- Division 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
- Division 2.3: Toxic gases
Class 3: Flammable liquids
Class 4: Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases
- Division 4.1: Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitised explosives
- Division 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
- Division 4.3: Substances that emit flammable gases when in contact with water
Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
- Division 5.1: Oxidising substances
- Division 5.2: Organic peroxides
Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
- Division 6.1: Toxic substances
- Division 6.2: Infectious substances
Class 7: Radioactive material
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.
Some dangerous goods fall into one of 3 packing groups depending on the degree of danger they present to people and equipment:
- Packing group I: Substances presenting high danger
- Packing group II: Substances presenting medium danger
- Packing group III: Substances presenting low danger.
The Australian Dangerous Goods Code provides more information about the classifications and divisions of dangerous goods, and if they are assigned to a packing group.
Placards and UN numbers
Each dangerous goods class is represented by a placard - a distinctive and specific class label in the shape of a diamond. For example:
Depending on its properties, each type of dangerous goods is assigned a number known as its UN number*; for example, petrol is UN 1203. The UN number can be found on the label, transport document or safety data sheet. Otherwise the manufacturer or supplier of the goods can tell you this. You can also check if the goods are listed in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.
*The United Nations number (UN number) is a 4-digit numbering system developed by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods for the quick identification of dangerous goods.
Interstate contacts
Contact an interstate competent authority for information on dangerous goods regulations, licensing and classifications outside of Queensland.
FAQs
Dangerous goods are substances and articles that have explosive, flammable, toxic, infectious or corrosive properties. They pose a risk to public safety, property or the environment.
What is the dangerous goods Act in Queensland? ›
The Australian Dangerous Goods Code covers national standards and requirements for transporting dangerous goods by road and rail. Queensland state laws have adopted many of the standards of the code. Consignors are responsible for choosing and hiring a prime contractor to transport dangerous goods by road.
What falls under dangerous goods? ›
List of the 9 dangerous goods classes
- Class 1. Explosives.
- Class 2. Gases.
- Class 3. Flammable liquids.
- Class 4.1 / 4.2 / 4.3. Flammable Solids.
- Class 5.1 / 5.2. Oxidizing Substances.
- Class 6.1 / 6.2. Toxic & Infectious Substances.
- Class 7. Radioactives.
- Class 8. Corrosives.
Examples of common dangerous goods:
- flammable liquids (petrol, kerosene, turpentine, flammable paints etc.)
- corrosives (hydrochloric acid)
- flammable gases (LP Gas)
- non-flammable non-toxic gases (CO2)
- asbestos.
- explosives.
Dangerous goods may be corrosive, flammable, explosive, spontaneously combustible, toxic, oxidising, or water-reactive. They must be identified in the workplace (and when being transported) by different coloured 'diamond' symbols.
How much is a dangerous goods licence in Queensland? ›
Business and industry licence fees
| Item | Cost as at 1 July 2023 |
|---|
| *Dangerous goods driver licence—3 years | $62.95 |
| *Pilot vehicle driver and escort vehicle driver accreditation—3 years new application | $210.00 |
| Pilot vehicle driver and escort vehicle driver accreditation—3 year renewal | $210.00 |
12 more rowsThe purpose of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations is to promote public safety when dangerous goods are being imported, offered for transport, handled or transported by road, rail, air, or water (marine).
What are Class 5 dangerous goods? ›
CLASS 5 - Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
5.2 An organic compound that contains the bivalent “-O-O-” structure which is a strong oxidizing agent and may be liable to explosive decomposition, be sensitive to heat, shock or friction or react dangerously with other dangerous goods.
Are phones considered dangerous goods? ›
Some goods that are classified as hazardous materials may surprise you, such as aerosols, perfume or anything containing lithium batteries – like mobile phones or laptops.
How to identify dangerous goods? ›
You should refer to the chemical's label and safety data sheet (SDS) to determine if the substance is classed as hazardous. Look for words 'warning' or 'danger' and refer to the pictograms and hazard information on the label and within the SDS.
A dangerous good (also known as hazardous material or hazmat) is any substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce.
What are class 3 dangerous goods examples? ›
Acetone, adhesives, paints / lacquers / varnishes, alcohols, perfumery products, gasoline / petrol, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, heating oil, kerosene, resins, tars, turpentine, ethanol, benzene, butanols, isopropanol, methanol, octanes.
What are Class 2 dangerous goods examples? ›
Examples for Class 2 dangerous goods are aerosols, compressed gas, fire extinguishers, refrigerant gases, lighters, acetylene, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, natural gas, petroleum gases, liquified, butane, propane, methane, ethylene.
What are Class 6 dangerous goods? ›
Class 6 dangerous goods are toxic substances and infectious substances. There are 2 sub-divisions: Division 6.1: Toxic substances. Division 6.2: Infectious substances.
What is a dangerous goods package? ›
Dangerous goods are any solids, liquids, or gases that can cause harm to living creatures, the environment, or property. Also known as hazardous materials, they are subject to chemical transportation regulations.
What is the dangerous goods Act in Australia? ›
The Dangerous Goods Act 1985 (DG Act) and related regulations aim to keep people and property safe from dangerous goods and explosives.
How much dangerous goods can I transport in QLD? ›
You need a dangerous goods driver licence and vehicle licence when transporting dangerous goods in a receptacle with a capacity of more than 500L or more than 500kg of dangerous goods in a receptacle. the total capacity of intermediate bulk containers containing dangerous goods on the vehicle is not more than 3,000L.
What is the purpose of Australian dangerous goods? ›
The purpose of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) is to provide consistent technical requirements for the land transport of dangerous goods across Australia. The ADG Code should be read in conjunction with relevant state or territory law.
What is considered dangerous goods in Australia? ›
Dangerous goods are substances and articles that have explosive, flammable, toxic, infectious or corrosive properties. They pose a risk to public safety, property or the environment.
