| | U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Hazard Classification System groups hazardous materials into nine classes, most of which are further broken down into divisions. The primary purpose of hazard classes is “to identify a shipment per a general grouping and provide some basic information regarding the potential [hazardous materials]” being shipped. The primary hazard is determined by the hazard class number assigned to that material. In other words, DOT’s hazard classes can be used as a point of reference for determining the dangerous goods being transported by highway, sea, air, and rail, with their corresponding divisions further categorizing the hazard in question. For example, class 1 is explosives, which has six divisions (1.1 – 1.6). The divisions for hazard class 1 help individuals identify the type of explosive in question, such as those that have a mass explosion hazard, non-mass explosives with a projection hazard, and explosives that pose a fire hazard. The following is a description of each of the nine hazardous materials classes along with any applicable divisions. |
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![Image of six groupings of hazmat placards in two horizontal rows and t]ree stand-alone placards on a white background. Above the first group are the words Class 1 Explosives. Below that four placards arranged in a diamond shape. The top is an orange diamond shaped placard with 1.4 at the top, Explosives at the top the number 1 at the bottom. The right placard has 1.5 at the top, blasting agents in the middle and a 1 at the bottom. The bottom placard has a 1.6 at the top, explosives in the middle and a 1 at the bottom. The left placard has a depiction of an explosion at the top, Explosives in the middle, and a 1 at the bottom.](../media/244.png "Image of six groupings of hazmat placards in two horizontal rows and t]ree stand-alone placards on a white background. Above the first group are the words Class 1 Explosives. Below that four placards arranged in a diamond shape. The top is an orange diamond shaped placard with 1.4 at the top, Explosives at the top the number 1 at the bottom. The right placard has 1.5 at the top, blasting agents in the middle and a 1 at the bottom. The bottom placard has a 1.6 at the top, explosives in the middle and a 1 at the bottom. The left placard has a depiction of an explosion at the top, Explosives in the middle, and a 1 at the bottom.")