Dangerous Goods Diamonds

Dangerous goods diamonds are internationally recognised hazard class labels used to identify the type of dangerous goods stored, handled, or transported on site. Each diamond displays a hazard class number, colour code, and symbol, clearly communicating the risk associated with substances such as flammables, corrosives, toxics, oxidisers, and gases.

In New Zealand, dangerous goods diamonds are required under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, EPA New Zealand, and UN Model Regulations, ensuring workers, emergency services, and visitors can quickly identify chemical hazards. These labels must be present on storage areas, dangerous goods cabinets, shipping containers, vehicles, and bulk storage tanks.

pH7 supplies dangerous goods diamonds for all nine UN hazard classes, ensuring full compliance for both hazardous substance storage and transport across New Zealand. Our range includes:

• Class 1 – Explosives
  Divisions 1.1 to 1.6 covering mass explosion hazards, projection hazards, and sensitive substances.
• Class 2 – Gases
  Including flammable, non-flammable, oxidising, and toxic gases.
• Class 3 – Flammable Liquids
  For fuels, solvents, paints, and other volatile liquids.
• Class 4 – Flammable Solids
  Including 4.1 flammable solids, 4.2 spontaneously combustible substances, and 4.3 dangerous when wet materials.
• Class 5 – Oxidising Agents & Organic Peroxides
  Divisions 5.1 (oxidisers) and 5.2 (organic peroxides).
• Class 6 – Toxic & Infectious Substances
  Including toxic chemicals and poisonous materials.
• Class 7 – Radioactive Materials
  For the handling and transport of radioactive sources.
• Class 8 – Corrosive Substances
  Including acids, alkalis, and corrosive industrial chemicals.
• Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
  Including environmentally hazardous substances and lithium batteries.

Each diamond follows the mandatory UN colour coding, symbols, and numeric hazard class designation, ensuring compliance with WorkSafe NZ, EPA New Zealand, and the UN Model Regulations for transport and storage.

The required size of a dangerous goods diamond depends on the location and method of display:

• Vehicles transporting dangerous goods – must comply with Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005, requiring 250mm diamonds.
• Storage areas, buildings, and outdoor DG stores – typically require 250mm or 300mm signs for long-distance visibility.

• DG cabinets, small containers, and indoor storage – 250mm

• Shipping containers or large vessels – require minimum 250mm diamonds with weather-resistant materials.

pH7 supplies dangerous goods diamonds in multiple sizes to meet WorkSafe NZ, EPA, and transport compliance requirements.

Dangerous goods diamonds must be displayed anywhere hazardous substances are stored, handled, or transported, ensuring that workers, emergency responders, and visitors can immediately identify the hazard class.

In New Zealand, correct placement is required under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, EPA hazard communication rules, and UN transport regulations.

Dangerous goods diamonds must be clearly visible on:

1. Storage Areas and Buildings

• Entrances to hazardous substance storage rooms
• Outdoor DG stores, bunded areas, and shipping-container stores
• Chemical warehouses and segregated DG zones

2. Dangerous Goods Cabinets

• Each cabinet must display the correct hazard class diamond for the substances stored inside.
• Diamonds should be placed on the front door at eye level, with no obstruction.

3. Bulk Containers and Tanks

• IBCs, drums, tanks, and large chemical vessels
• Hazard class diamonds must match the contents and class of each container.

4. Vehicles Transporting Dangerous Goods

Required under the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005:

• Diamonds must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle
• Minimum size: 250 mm for road transport
• Placarding must match the hazard class of the goods carried

5. Shipping Containers and Freight Units

• All four sides of the container must display DG diamonds
• Signs must be weather-resistant, UV stable, and compliant with UN Model Regulations

6. Loading and Handling Areas

• Zones used for decanting, blending, or transferring hazardous substances
• Diamonds help personnel identify hazards before entering or handling chemicals.