NOTE: See 49 CFR § 171.8 for in-depth definitions
Bulk Packaging
A packaging (transport vehicle or freight container) in which hazardous materials are loaded with no intermediate form of containment, when the internal volume is greater than:
- 450 liters (119 gallons) for a liquid;
- 400 kilograms (882 pounds) net mass for a solid; or
- 454 kilograms (1,000 pounds) water capacity for a gas.
Note: A bulk packaging is not a vessel or barge.
Cargo
Product, including its packaging.
Cargo Tank
A bulk packaging that is loaded or unloaded without being removed from the motor vehicle. (The tank may or may not be permanently attached to the motor vehicle).
Chart 11
DOT's Hazardous Materials Marking, Labeling and
Placarding Guide.
Compatibility
Relates to possible interactions between a material and:
- its container
or
- other products that may be loaded or transported together.
Compressed Gas
Material or mixture meeting criteria in § 173.115(b), (absolute pressure of 280 kPa [41 psia]) at 20°C [68° F] or greater).
Compound
Two or more ingredients that are chemically united.
Consist
Sequentially lists the location of each rail car in a train. May serve as the shipping paper if the consist has all the information required by the USDOT.
Dangerous Goods
International term for hazardous materials.
Documentation
Completed forms required to accompany hazardous materials. For example, shipping papers, certificates, emergency response information, or manifests.
Emergency Response Information
Information that can be used in the mitigation of an incident involving hazardous materials.
Etiologic Agent
See Infectious Substance.
Exceptions
Relief from certain HM regulations; applies to everyone.
Exemptions
Specific USDOT-written relief from certain HM Regulations, for shippers, carriers, or manufacturers; 2 year limit but may be renewed. (Part 107, Subpart B of 49 CFR)
Flash Point
The minimum temperature at which a substance gives off flammable vapor(s). Substance will ignite when coming in contact with a spark or flame.
Forbidden
A material that is prohibited from being offered or accepted for transportation. This prohibition does not apply if these materials are:
- diluted, stabilized, or incorporated into devices
and
- classed in accordance with Part 173. (See § 172.101(d)(1)).
Generator
An EPA term used for a hazardous waste producer and/or shipper.
Grants
Planning and training grants to deal with hazardous materials emergencies.
Gross Weight
Total weight of packaging, including its contents.
Hazard Class
A group of hazardous materials that share dangerous characteristics. The USDOT has identified nine hazard classes based on the dangers posed in transportation.
Hazard Division
A means of sub-dividing similar hazardous materials which require different hazard communications.
Hazardous Material
A substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported in commerce.
Hazardous Substance
A material listed in Appendix A to § 172.101 and the quantity in one package equals or exceeds the reportable quantity (RQ). Material may be in solution or mixture. This definition does not apply to petroleum (lubricants or fuel) products. Note: For radionuclides, refer to Table 2 of Appendix A to
the HMT.
Hazardous Waste
Any material that is subject to the Hazardous Waste Manifest requirements of the EPA. Refer to 40 CFR Part 262.
Hazardous Waste
A specific shipping document required by the USDOT Manifest and the EPA for hazardous waste shipments. Also referred to as the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest (UHWM). If all USDOT requirements [i.e., the basic description (proper shipping name, hazard class/division, ID No., and packing group) are entered on the UHWM, the manifest may be used as a shipping paper. (49 CFR § 172.205)
Identification Number (ID No.)
The UN or NA "four-digit number" assigned to hazardous materials, i.e., UN 1203. ID numbers are listed in Col. 4 of the HMT. Used for identification and emergency response.
in-association-with
Refers to the placement of required additional entries on the shipping paper. Usually placed after the complete description for a hazardous material. May be any format, as long as it is clearly part of the entry.
Incident
Unintentional release of hazardous material(s).
Infectious Substance
Living microorganism or its toxin which may cause severe, disabling or fatal disease. Term synonymous with Etiologic Agent. (49 CFR, § 173.134)
Irritating Material
A liquid or solid substance. Upon contact with fire or air, the material gives off dangerous or intensely irritating fumes. Irritating Material does not include any poisonous material.
Labels
Hazard class identifiers required on hazardous materials packaging; 100 mm diamond shaped (square-on-point); identify hazard class by symbol, color and sometimes, by name.
Limited Quantity (Ltd. Qty.)
The amount of material for which there is a specific labeling or packaging exception.
Marine Pollutant
Hazardous material which is:
- listed in Appendix B to § 172.101
and
- when in a solution or mixture of one or more marine pollutants, is packaged in a concentration (for materials listed in Appendix B) which equals or exceeds:
- 10% by weight of the solution or mixture
or
- 1% by weight of the solution or mixture for materials that are identified as severe marine pollutants.
Markings
Information required to be placed on the outside of the shipping container; may include one or more of the following:
- proper shipping name;
- identification number;
- UN standard packaging marks;
- instructions/caution.
Mitigate
To make less severe. Measures to prevent, or lessen the results of a release of hazardous materials.
Mixture
A material composed of one or more compounds.
Motor Vehicle (Common Carrier)
A motor carrier that transports property for hire.
Motor Vehicle (Contract Carrier)
A motor carrier that transports only property for those shippers with whom they have a contractual agreement.
Motor Vehicle (Private Carrier)
A motor carrier that transports property of which it is owner, lessee, or bailee. Such transportation is for the purpose of sale, lease, or rent.
Multiple Hazards
A material meeting the definition of more than one hazard class/division. The material must be classed according to its position on the Precedence of Hazard Table in 49 CFR, § 173.2a.
Net Weight
A measure of weight referring only to the contents of a package. It does not include the weight of any packaging material.
Non-Bulk Packaging
A packaging which has an internal volume equal to or less than:
- 450 liters (119 gallons) for a liquid;
or
- 400 kilograms (882 pounds) net mass for a solid;
or
- 454 kilograms (1,000 pounds) water capacity for a gas.
Overpack
An enclosure that is used by a single consignor to provide protection or convenience in the handling of a package. It may consolidate two or more packages.
Package
Packaging plus its contents.
Packaging
A receptacle and any other components or materials used to provide containment. The packaging must perform its containment function in conformance with the HMR.
Packaging Exception
Provides general relief from certain specification packaging requirements of the HMR.
Packaging Exemption
Specific written administrative relief granted by RSPA from certain requirements of the HMR. Packaging must provide equivalent levels of safety.
Packing Group
Assigned based on the degree of danger presented by the hazardous material:
- PG I – Great Danger
- PG II – Medium Danger
- PG III – Minor Danger
Performance-Oriented Packaging
Container and any other components or materials necessary for the packaging to perform its containment function. Specific testing procedures must be performed and so marked on the
packaging.
Person
Any of the following:
- Individual
- Firm
- Co-Partner
- Corporation
- Company
- Association
- Joint-stock association (including any trustee, receiver, assignee, or similar representative thereof),
or
- Government or Indian tribe, (agency or instrumentality of any government or Indian Tribe).
Placard
Hazard class identifiers required on transport vehicles or freight containers; placards are 273 mm (10.8 inches) diamond shaped (square-on-point) and hazard class color-coded. May require numbers for identification and emergency response. (Part 172, Subpart F)
Placarding
Process of determining and applying correct placards. (Part 172, Subpart F)
Portable Tank
A bulk packaging designed to be loaded on or temporarily attached to a transport vehicle or vessel.
Preemption
State or local requirements that conflict with the Federal hazardous materials transportation law may be set aside by the Federal Government. (See Subpart C – Preemption, § 107.201.)
Primary Label
Label for primary hazard of the material. Class number in lower part of label is required. (49 CFR § 172.402)
Proper Shipping Name
Name listed in Roman type in the HMT, § 172.101. Italicized names are not proper shipping names.
Radioactive Materials
Materials having a specific activity of greater than 0.002 microcuries per gram. (49 CFR § 173.403)
Registration
A person who transports or offers for transportation certain hazardous materials is required to register and pay a fee to the USDOT. (See § 107.601.)
Registration for Cargo Tanks
Procedure for persons who manufacture, assemble, inspect, test, certify or repair a cargo tank or cargo tank motor vehicle. (See § 107.501.)
Reportable Quantity (RQ)
RQ means the quantity specified in Column 2 of Appendix A to § 172.101 for any material identified in Column 1 of the appendix.
Residue
The hazardous materials remaining in a packaging, tank car, etc. after unloading.
Shipping Papers
Manifest, bill of lading, shipping order, or document to accompany hazardous materials shipments. Must contain information required by USDOT. (See Part 172, Subpart C.)
Solution
Homogenous liquid mixture of two (2) or more chemical compounds. The mixture will not separate during transportation.
Specification Packaging
Packaging specifically designed for a particular class or classes of hazardous material. Packaging identified by UN standard packaging and/or USDOT specification number.
State Variations
Listed in the ICAO Technical Instructions; governmental options differing from the ICAO Technical Instructions.
Strong Outside Container
Outermost enclosure for protecting inner packages and preventing unintentional release of contents during transportation.
Subsidiary Labels/Placards
Identify the subsidiary or secondary hazard(s). Class number must be shown on the label/placard. (See §§ 172.402, and 172.519(b)(4))
Technical Name
A recognized chemical name currently used in scientific and technical handbooks, journals and texts. Trade names may not be used as technical names, unless they are in the HMT.
Transport Index
The dimensionless number on the label of a radioactive materials package. Designates the degree of control necessary during transportation.
Unit Load Device
Any type of freight container, aircraft container, aircraft pallet with a net, or aircraft pallet with a net over an igloo.