Office Of Environmental Health & Safety
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue
229 Forsyth Building
Boston, MA 02115-5000
phone: 617.373.2769
fax: 617.373.7622
Developed byHazardous Material Definition
DOT Definition of Hazardous Material:
A hazardous material is defined as any substance or material could adversely affect the safety of the public, handlers or carriers during transportation. All DOT hazardous materials are listed in the DOT's Hazardous Material Table.
There are nine classes of hazardous materials:
| Hazard Class 1: Explosives | 1.1 mass explosion hazard 1.2 projectile hazard 1.3 minor blast/projectile/fire 1.4 minor blast 1.5 insensitive explosives 1.6 very insensitive explosives |
| Hazard Class 2: Compressed Gases | 2.1 flammable gases 2.2 non flammable compressed 2.3 poisonous |
| Hazard Class 3: Flammable Liquids | Flammable (flash point below 141°) Combustible (flash point 141°-200° |
| Hazard Class 4: Flammable Solids | 4.1 flammable solids 4.2 spontaneously combustible 4.3 dangerous when wet |
| Hazard Class 5: Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides | 5.1 Oxidizer 5.2 Organic Peroxide |
| Hazard Class 6: Toxic Materials | 6.1 Material that is poisonous 6.2 Infectious Agents |
| Hazard Class 7: Radioactive Material | Radioactive I Radioactive II Radioactive III |
| Hazard Class 8: Corrosive Material | Destruction of the human skin Corrode steel at a rate of 0.25 inches per year |
| Hazard Class 9: Miscellaneous | A material that presents a hazard during shipment but does not meet the definition of the other classes |