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 top-left section of the plate gives the Emergency Action Code (EAC) telling the fire brigade what actions to take if there is an accident or fire. The middle-left section containing a 4 digit number gives the UN Substance Identification Number describing the material. 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 bottom-right of the plate carries a company logo or name.
There is also a standard null Hazchem plate to indicate the transport of non-hazardous substances. The null plate does not include an EAC or substance identification.
The National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) in the United Kingdom provides a Free Online Hazchem Guide.[2]
- ^ "Hazchem". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ "Free Online Hazchem Guide". Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2013-08-20.