CANUTEC

When you see trucks on the road, do you ever wonder what is inside?

Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (also known as the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations) requires the use of hazardous materials placards when shipping hazardous materials cargo and dangerous goods in the United States.

The shipper has a responsibility to provide the placards to the driver. The driver has the responsibility to attach the placards on the truck.

Identifying What’s InsideIdentifying What’s Inside

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There are nine major classifications.

Each classification has one or more placards to identify the nature of the materials.

There are different colors and graphics to help us readily identify which classification the product falls within.

Let’s take a look at some placard examples on the next two slides.

Identifying What’s InsideIdentifying What’s Inside

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Class 1-Explosives Class 5-Oxidizers

Class 2-Compressed Gases Class 6-Poisons

Class 3-Flammable Liquids Class 7-Radioactive Materials

Class 4-Flammable Solids Class 8-Corrosives

Class 9-Miscellaneous

Identifying What’s InsideIdentifying What’s Inside

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A) There is a 4-digit ID Number on a placard or orange panel

Identifying What’s InsideIdentifying What’s Inside

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B) The 4-digit ID Number is also documented on a shipping document or package;

Identifying What’s InsideIdentifying What’s Inside

Example of a shipping document

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C) The name of the material is also found on a shipping document or package.

Identifying What’s InsideIdentifying What’s Inside

Example of a shipping document

Example of a package

CANUTEC Example 1Example 1

A 1000-liter tote container shows this placard

1824

CANUTEC What the Placard Tells UsWhat the Placard Tells Us

ID No. is 1824 The shape and graphic tell us it is a corrosive

material:

This type of substance is toxic by inhalation / ingestion / skin contact and may cause severe injury or death;

Effect of contact or inhalation may be delayed;

Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases;

This type of substance is non-combustible.

1824

CANUTEC Example 2Example 2

A tanker truck is carrying the following product.

CANUTEC What the Placard Tells UsWhat the Placard Tells Us The ID No. is 1202 and it is a flammable liquid

(Class 3, red placard)

This type of substance may explode and throw fragments at a distance of 500 meters or more if fire reaches cargo;

Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.

CANUTEC Example 3Example 3

A tanker truck has this placard on his truck.

CANUTEC What the Placard Tells UsWhat the Placard Tells Us

The ID No. is 1072 and is classified as: Gases - Oxidizing (Including Refrigerated

Liquids) This type de substance does not burn, but will

support combustion; Some may react explosively with fuels; Containers may explode when heated; Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation

without warning.

CANUTEC Example 4Example 4

CANUTEC What the Placard Tells UsWhat the Placard Tells Us

There is no ID No. and the DANGER placard indicates a mixed load of dangerous goods

Until the vehicle content is known, all hazards must be considered: flammability, corrosivity, toxicity…

CANUTEC CANUTECCANUTEC

CANUTEC is the Canadian Transport Emergency Canadian Transport Emergency CentreCentre and is operated by the Transport Dangerous Goods Directorate of Transport Canada.

CANUTEC provides a national bilingual advisory service. It is staffed by professional scientists experienced and trained in interpreting technical information and providing emergency response advice.

CANUTEC NOTENOTE

This presentation was produced by CANUTEC personnel and is made available to any user / trainer of the Emergency Response Guidebook. Permission is given to use and modify the presentation if needed. Any comments should be directed to CANUTEC through the information line (613) 992-4624(613) 992-4624

or by email at CANUTEC@tc.gc.caCANUTEC@tc.gc.ca