GUIDANCE NOTE 042

DANGEROUS GOODS CLASS LABELS

Involvement in handling, storing or transporting of dangerous goods requires that you learn to recognise the
various symbols on labels and that you learn about the properties of the substances.
Dangerous goods are assigned to one of nine classes dependant on the main danger presented.
It is important that you know which goods produce toxic gas; which are highly flammable; which are dangerous
when wet; or which are dangerous when they come into contact with air.
More detailed information about dangerous goods and their properties can be found in the 7th edition of the
Australian Dangerous Goods Code. You can find this document on the National Transport Commission website
www.ntc.gov.au

Class 1.4 – Explosives which are

Class 1.1 – Explosives not a significant mass explosion
** is for division and hazard e.g. flares, fireworks,
compatibility group safety cartridges, etc. * is for
(Orange background) compatibility group
(Orange background)

Class 1.5 – Explosives with a Class 1.6 – Substances which

mass explosion hazard, but are are a minor explosion
insensitive substances. hazard, very insensitive
(Orange background) substances.
(Orange background)

Class 2.2 – Gases that are non

Class 2.1 – Gases that can ignite
flammable but may cause
in air on contact with a source
asphyxiation and/ or
of ignition.
represent stored energy
(Red background)
hazard.
(Green background)

Class 2.3 – Gases likely to cause

Class 3 –Liquids, the vapours of
death or serious injury to
which can ignite in air on contact
human health if exposed or by
with a source of ignition.
skin contact.
(Red background)
(White background)

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 Class 4.1 – Solids easily ignited Class 4.2 – Substances liable
e.g. by sparks or flames, or to spontaneously heat up and
liable to cause fire through ignite.
friction. (Red background to lower half )
(Red and white stripe background)

Class 4.3 – Substance which Class 5.1 – Substances likely to

emits flammable or toxic gases increase the risk and intensity
when wet. of fire in other materials.
(Blue background) (Yellow background)

Class 6.1 – Toxic substances

Class 5.2 - Substances that are
likely to cause death or severe
thermally unstable and likely
injury to human or animal health
to react dangerously with
if swallowed, inhaled or by skin
other substances.
contact.
(Yellow background)
(White background)

Class 7 – Substances (solid or

Class 6.2 - Infectious substances
liquid) which spontaneously
liable to cause death or severe
emit ionising radiation.
injury to human or animal
Category I, determined by
health if swallowed, inhaled or
radiation level of
by skin contact.
transport package.
(White background)
(Lowest level)
(White background)

Class 7 - Substances (solid or Class 7 – Substances (solid or

liquid) which spontaneously liquid) which spontaneously
emit ionising radiation. emit ionising radiation.
Category II determined by Category III determined
radiation level of transport by radiation level of
package. transport package.
(Yellow background to upper half ) (Yellow background to upper half )

Class 8 – Solids or liquids able Class 9 – Substances and

to cause, to varying severity, articles which during transport
damage to living tissue. Maybe present a danger not covered
either acidic or caustic in by other classes.
nature. (White background)
(Black and white)

WorkSafe ACT

GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601 (02) 6207 3000 www.act.gov.au/worksafe