- 15 April 2025
Understanding Dangerous Goods Classes
When you think of dangerous goods, do you immediately think of poisonous chemicals, explosives and gases? While these types of items are certainly included in the dangerous goods category, everyday products like nail polish, hair spray and tanning spray can also fall under this classification.
Dangerous goods, also known as hazardous materials, are substances that pose a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. These materials can exist as solids, liquids or gases and can cause harm through chemical reactions, fires or toxic exposure. In the context of transportation, special precautions are required to ensure the safe handling, storage and movement of these goods. The Australian Dangerous Goods Code, set by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, outlines strict regulations for packing, labelling and transporting dangerous goods. These guidelines are designed to minimise risks during transit by road and rail, ensuring safety at every stage of the journey.
How many classes of dangerous goods are there?
There are nine main classes of dangerous goods, each representing a specific type of hazard. Some of these classes are further divided into divisions and dangerous goods may present one or more of the hazards associated with Classes 1 to 9.
Class 1 - Explosives
Class 1 dangerous goods include substances that are explosive or pose a significant risk due to their potential for rapid energy release.
Sub-Divisions:
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Division 1.1: Substances and articles with a mass explosion hazard.
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Division 1.2: Substances and articles with a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
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Division 1.3: Substances and articles with a fire hazard and either a minor blast or projection hazard.
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Division 1.4: Substances and articles that present no significant hazard unless ignited; effects are mostly confined to the package.
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Division 1.5: Very insensitive substances with a mass explosion hazard.
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Division 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles that do not pose a mass explosion hazard.
Commonly transported explosives: Ammunition, fireworks, blasting caps, detonators, airbag inflators, TNT, RDX, and PETN.
Class 2 - Gases
Class 2 dangerous goods include gases that present hazards such as flammability, asphyxiation, or toxicity.
Sub-Divisions:
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Division 2.1: Flammable gases.
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Division 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases.
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Division 2.3: Toxic gases.
Commonly transported gases: Acetylene, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, natural gas, butane, propane, and refrigerant gases.
Class 3- Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Class 3 dangerous goods are flammable liquids or liquid mixtures with a flashpoint of no more than 60°C. Certain substances, such as diesel and light heating oil, may also fall into this category despite having a higher flashpoint.
Commonly transported flammable liquids: Gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, acetone, alcohols, paints, kerosene, turpentine, and resins.
Class 4 - Flammable Solids
Class 4 dangerous goods are substances that are either flammable solids, prone to spontaneous combustion, or emit flammable gases when in contact with water.
Sub-Divisions:
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Division 4.1: Flammable solids.
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Division 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion.
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Division 4.3: Substances that emit flammable gases upon contact with water.
Commonly transported flammable solids: Alkali metals, matches, sulphur, camphor, and sodium batteries.
Class 5- Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides
Class 5 dangerous goods include substances that can cause or enhance combustion, either by releasing oxygen or being inherently reactive.
Sub-Divisions:
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Division 5.1: Oxidising substances.
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Division 5.2: Organic peroxides.
Commonly transported oxidisers and organic peroxides: Hydrogen peroxide, ammonium nitrate, chlorine, potassium nitrate, and sodium persulphate.
Class 6- Toxic and Infectious Substances
Class 6 dangerous goods are substances that can cause sickness, injury, or death if exposure occurs. They are categorised into toxic and infectious substances.
Sub-Divisions:
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Division 6.1: Toxic substances.
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Division 6.2: Infectious substances.
Commonly transported toxic and infectious substances: Medical waste, cyanides, pesticides, tear gas, and arsenic compounds.
Class 7- Radioactive Materials
Class 7 dangerous goods are substances that release ionizing radiation, posing significant health risks to humans and animals.
Commonly transported radioactive materials: Uranium, plutonium, radioactive isotopes, medical isotopes, and density gauges.
Class 8- Corrosives
Class 8 dangerous goods are substances that can cause severe damage to living tissue or other materials upon contact through chemical reactions.
Commonly transported corrosives: Hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, phenol, battery fluid, and formaldehyde.
Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
Class 9 encompasses substances that present hazards during transport but do not fall into any of the other classes.
Commonly transported miscellaneous goods: Lithium batteries, dry ice, genetically modified organisms, fuel cell engines, airbags, and first aid kits.
This classification system helps ensure that dangerous goods are properly identified, handled, and transported safely, reducing the risk to people, property, and the environment.
What dangerous good classes does Chemcouriers transport?
At Chemcouriers, safety is our top priority in every aspect of our operations. We ensure that your freight is protected from environmental elements, wildlife, and human factors. Our expertise extends to handling most classes of dangerous goods, including:
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Class 1.4S Explosives
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Class 2 Gases
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Class 3 Flammable and Combustible Liquids
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Class 4 Flammable Solids
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Class 5.1 Oxidising Substances
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Class 5.2 Organic Peroxides
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Class 6.1 Toxic Substances
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Class 8 Corrosives
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Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods