The UK has been fortunate inasmuch as there have been few serious accidents directly resulting from the carriage of dangerous goods. However, there are frequent minor accidents involving vehicles carrying dangerous goods and loss of containment often occurs to some extent.
Proper identification of vehicles and information about the goods they are carrying is thus important. HSE’s experience from roadside checks is that about one in three of those vehicles carrying dangerous goods and selected for inspection exhibit breaches of one sort or another.
EAC – Emergency Action Code
In the UK, the Emergency Action Codes (EAC) must be used. This system of marking must not be confused or combined with the International ADR marking, which uses Hazard Identification Numbers (HIN), also known as the Kemler Code.
Emergency Action Codes (EACs), also known as Hazchem codes, are a three-character code that must be displayed on all GB registered road and rail vehicles that carry dangerous goods on domestic journeys within the UK.
The ADR plate opposite shows the EAC in the top section and the UN Number (which identifies the substance) at the bottom.
EAC’s provide an assessment to the emergency services of what actions should be taken during an incident involving dangerous goods. The characters and numbers on the EAC indicate what actions may be necessary to the attending Police and Fire authority personnel as the first responders. Immediate assessment of the situation is crucial in the first few minutes of an incident.
EAC’s are characterised by a single number (1 to 4) and either one or two letters (depending upon the hazard).
The EAC is interpreted by the Emergency Action Code pocket cards, the latest version of which is shown below.
UK registered road and rail vehicles on domestic journeys must display the Emergency Action (Hazchem) Code, all other vehicles must display the Hazard Identification Number (HIN) – see examples below.
Hazard Warning Panels
RID/ADR (Hazard Identification Number)
Emergency Action Codes (commonly known as Hazchem Codes) are designed to be used by the emergency services in conjunction with Emergency Action Code Cards (see below), which are intended to be carried by emergency service personnel. The cards indicate the action that may be necessary (except additional personal protection (APP) and the use of alcohol resistant foam) during the first few minutes of an incident.
Emergency Action Code Cards
ADR HI Numbers
The ADR Hazard Identification Number HIN, also known as the Kemler Code, is carried on road and rail vehicles with tanks etc. carrying bulk loads of dangerous substances.
The ADR plate below shows the HI Number in the top section and the UN number (which identifies the substance) at the bottom.
The HI number consists of two or three figures. The first figure of the Kemler Code indicates the primary hazard; the second and third figures generally indicate secondary hazards. Doubling of a figure indicates an intensification of that particular hazard. Where the hazard associated with a substance can be adequately indicated by a single figure, this is followed by a zero.
If a hazard identification number is prefixed by letter ‘X’, this indicates that the substance will react dangerously with water.
Both the EAC and HI numbers are published every year in the NCEC’s Dangerous Goods Code Emergency Action Code List.
Placarding and marking of vehicles
As with marking and labelling these words mean different things, and apply to vehicles and containers, MEGCs (multi element gas container – defined in ADR 1.2.1), tank containers, and portable tanks.
Placarding
Placarding is the process of placing on the tank, container etc. the hazard diamonds referred to in column 5 of table A (analogous to labelling of packages). The precise details of sizes and so on are at 5.3.1.7. For small tanks or containers smaller placards can be used (5.3.1.7.3 – allows ‘package labels’ to be used).
Placards have to be displayed as indicated in 5.3.1.2 to 5.3.1.6 according to the type of load.
Marking
Marking is the process of placing on the vehicle and the tank, container etc., the orange plates. See ADR 5.3.2.
Vehicles carrying packages
In all cases, the plain orange plates for vehicles carrying packages are as described in ADR at 5.3.2.1.1. A plain orange plate is fixed to the front and rear of the ‘transport unit’ – see image below. Note the extra requirement for vehicles carrying class 1 (explosives) and class 7 (radio-active substances) to display placards (hazard diamonds) on both sides and the rear of the vehicle (ADR 5.3.1.5).
Carrying packages in freight containers
This is similar to the above but in this case, the freight container should display relevant placards (hazard diamonds) on all four sides of the container – example shown below.
Tanks, tank containers
Different requirements apply to GB domestic journeys and international journeys.
GB registered vehicle on GB domestic journey
GB registered vehicles on GB domestic journeys must be marked with the EAC and include a telephone number for advice in the event of an emergency. The requirement is also to display the plain orange plate at the front of the vehicle – see images below.
It may also be appropriate to affix the EHS Mark on both sides and the rear.
Tank Vehicles on International Journey
Vehicles with tanks etc. on international journeys must show the HI Number (Kemler Code) in addition to the other relevant marks and placards.
ADR Plate (ADR Panel)
The ADR plate should be displayed at the rear and both sides, with a plain orange plate at the front. Where one substance only is carried, it is permissible to display plates at front and rear only, provided the front plate also carry the HI Number and UN Number. Under ADR there is no requirement to display a telephone number.
Further Reading
The following links will provide additional reading material on this subject.
