If you’re confused about what exactly is required of your company to transport class 9 hazmat (hazardous materials), you’re not alone. Read on to have all your class 9 hazmat questions answered.
Related: Hazmat Endorsements: Everything You Need to Know
A “class 9 hazmat” is the term the DOT (Department of Transportation) uses to categorize any hazardous materials that don’t fit into any of the other well-defined hazardous material categories, such as explosives, flammables, and corrosives.
Some of the hazardous materials that are included under class 9 are:
In terms of material, they must meet any of the points in the section above, but not meet any of the requirements of hazmat classes 1 through 8.
In terms of requirements for drivers, there are no requirements for drivers transporting class 9 hazmat, besides needing their CDL and a valid medical card. But there are shipping requirements for class 9 hazmat materials, which we’ll cover below.
No, you don’t need placards to transport class 9 hazmat domestically in the US.
Any bulk packaging that contains class 9 hazmat must be labeled with the correct identification number on a white diamond, an orange panel, or a class 9 placard. Any other class 9 hazmat must be marked with the identification number and shipping name.
This is one of the areas that often confuses people because there are different requirements for other types of hazmat and for class 9. You do not need a hazmat endorsement to transport class 9 hazmat domestically.
Essentially, if you are required to placard what you’re transporting (which you don’t for class 9) you need a hazmat endorsement. You also need a hazmat endorsement if you offer transportation services for hazardous materials that require a placard, even if you aren’t actively transporting them at this time.
The class 9 placard is provided for international travel. So, if your drivers often cross into Mexico or Canada, they will likely need to use the placard.
You can also use the placard to label shipments of class 9 hazmat.
All bulk packaging must be labeled with the correct ID number on a class 9 hazmat placard, OR an orange label, OR a white diamond on all 4 sides.
If the class 9 hazmat is not in bulk packaging, then it must be labeled with the ID number on 2 opposite sides.
If you are transporting an elevated temperature material, you’ll also need to include a “HOT” label on your packaging, and if you’re transporting a marine pollutant, you’ll need to attach the correct marine pollutant label.
Bulk packaging is anything over 1,000 gallons in capacity.
No, using a class 9 hazmat placard will not make your shipments subject to the same additional requirements as other hazardous materials.
No, if you haul class 9 hazmat and no other form of hazardous materials, you do not need to be registered with PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration).
Some of the most common class 9 hazmat are:
This is not an exhaustive list, but covers some of the more common products people often aren’t sure are class 9 hazmat or not.
One of the areas that is perhaps most confusing is around “elevated temperature materials”, all of which are considered class 9. An elevated temperature material is one that is:
Many elevated-temperature materials will, by nature, be categorized in other classes of hazardous materials (because they’re liable to catch on fire or explode). However, while the definition is confusing, you can fit anything that must be transported at an elevated temperature into this category. Examples are:
If you are transporting a hot material, you are required to add a “HOT” label to the packaging. This follows the same requirements as the other labeling requirements, i.e., you need to label bulk packaging with 4 HOT labels, and anything else with 2. This HOT label should be a white diamond with the word printed in the middle of the square, or a white diamond with the word “HOT” and the ID number below it printed in the center of the diamond.
You don’t need to be transporting a hazardous material over a large body of water for it to be considered a marine pollutant.
Some examples of marine pollutants are:
(You can find a full list of chemicals here.)
If you are transporting a marine pollutant, you’ll need to label it accordingly with a “MARINE POLLUTANT” label (which must be the same size as a placard).
Yes, marine pollutants are what they are by their nature, and their classification doesn’t change simply because it’s not going to come close to an ocean. While you may genuinely never go near a waterway while transporting a marine pollutant, many will. If there were to be an accident where a truck ended up in a lake or river, the attendees would need to know that it contained marine pollutants in order to take the right action.
Yes, class 9 are still hazardous materials, they just may not be as obviously hazardous as some of the more well-defined hazmat classes.
The 9 classes are:
No, there is no training they must take to transport class 9 hazardous materials. It’s recommended you give your drivers some additional training in-house, but a format certification is not needed.
Yes, all lithium batteries are class 9.
Yes, dry ice and other products that contain carbon dioxide are all class 9.
Yes, since they contain batteries and electrical components, and often the nicotine-flavored liquid (all of which are class 9) they are considered class 9 hazmat.
Although class 9 materials are not held to the same standards as other hazmat classes, they are still hazardous. Consider providing your drivers with additional training before they transport class 9 hazmat.
Do you still have questions about class 9 hazmat or other DOT compliance matters? Talk to a Foley compliance expert today. We're ready to help you haul safely and compliantly!