Hazchem

Hazchem (/ˈhæzkɛm/; from hazardous chemicals)[1] is a warning plate system used in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, India and the United Kingdom for vehicles transporting hazardous substances, and on storage facilities.

The lower-left section gives the telephone number that should be called if special advice is needed.

The warning symbol in the top right indicates the general hazard class of the material.

The National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) in the United Kingdom provides a Free Online Hazchem Guide.

[2] The Emergency Action Code (EAC) is a three character code displayed on all dangerous goods classed carriers, and provides a quick assessment to first responders and emergency responders (i.e. fire fighters and police) of what actions to take should the carrier carrying such goods become involved in an incident (traffic collision, for example).

The printed version of the book can be purchased from TSO directly (ISBN 9780117541184) or downloaded as a PDF file from NCEC's website.

The number leading the EAC indicates the type of fire-suppressing agent that should be used to prevent or extinguish a fire caused by the chemical.

[4] For example, a chemical with EAC number 2 - indicating water fog - may be fought additionally with media 3 (foam) or 4 (dry agent), but not with 1 (coarse spray).

Each category is assigned a letter to determine what actions are required when handling, containing and disposing of the chemical in question.

Four subcategories exist which specifically deal with what type of personal protective equipment responders must wear when handling the emergency, denoted by a white letter on a black background.

In Australia with the update of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code volume 7 as of 2010, the white letter on a black background has been removed, making BA (breathing apparatus) a requirement at all large incidents regardless of whether the substance is involved in a fire.

BA for fire only is denoted within the emergency action code as a white letter on a black background, while a black letter on a white background denotes breathing apparatus at all times.

Substance control specifies what to do with the chemical in the event of a spill, either dilute or contain.

Taking the Y along the top row of the chart, and the S along the left hand column, the intersection is at Y and therefore the character for the first two substances would be Y.