Hazardous material, or dangerous goods, comprises those articles or substances that, due to their physical, chemical, toxicological or explosive characteristics, represent potential risks to health, safety, property, the environment and the transport that carries them.
In this blog, we share with you the classifications and regulations that must be followed to ensure safe and reliable transportation of this type of goods.
Dangerous goods classification
According to the United Nations (UN), hazardous materials are classified into nine classes, which in turn are divided into subgroups called “divisions”, according to their type of risk. These are:
- Explosives
- Gases
- Flammable liquids
- Flammable solids
- Oxidizing agents
- Oxidizing substances
- Organic peroxides
- Toxic and infectious substances
- Toxic substances
- Infectious substances
- Radioactive
- Corrosives
- Miscellaneous dangerous goods
Once you are familiar with them, you may wonder why it is important to classify them?
Well, this is fundamental because it allows to recognize their properties and risk levels, facilitating the implementation of preventive and emergency measures for their safe handling. In addition, this classification helps to protect each phase of transportation, storage and handling, allowing a rapid response in case of incidents.
Regulations for the transport of dangerous goods
In Mexico, the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) published the NOM related to the Dangerous Goods Transportation Document: NOM.043-SCT-SEMAR-ARTF-2023. This NOM specifies:
- The official designation of transportation.
- Precise identification of dangerous goods.
- The associated hazards.
- Shipper’s declarations for transportation.
The Mexican Official Standard is equivalent to the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, United Nations Model Regulations, chapter 5.4, 22nd revised edition, New York and Geneva.
For its correct application, 14 Official Mexican Standards must be complied with, which regulate key aspects such as:
- Identification: According to class, hazard division, subsidiary hazard and UN number.
- Special provisions: Specific guidelines for transportation, limited and excepted quantities, and other security measures.
- Packaging and containers: Instructions for the use of packagings, large packagings, intermediate bulk containers, portable tanks, and multi-element and bulk gas containers.
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