ABSTRACT
Hazardous material placards must meet strict specifications and requirements. These specifications define the placard strength and durability, design, size, and color. US Department of Transportation (DOT) definitions for each HAZMAT placard are used in transportation. Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (49CFR), also known as the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations (FMCSR), requires the use of hazardous material placards when shipping hazardous materials cargo and dangerous goods in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and many other countries have similar regulations that also require the use of these placards. Placards are a diamond-shaped hazardous material information source for emergency responders, railroad employees, and others. They are approximately 10.8 inches by 10.8 inches and sit on the point at a 45 degree angle. Labels, which are just like placards for most classes of hazardous materials, only smaller in size, are attached to nonbulk containers or packages of hazardous materials.
