Dangerous goods placards: how to mark the truck

Signage in freight transport is very important, especially when we talk about the transport of dangerous goods.

It is a way of protecting the vehicle and the lives of the driver and third parties. After all, when signage is done correctly, other drivers become more careful when driving around the truck.

Whether by keeping a greater and safer driving distance or by avoiding overtaking, signage allows drivers to drive more responsibly and cautiously in traffic.

Learn more:

What signage in freight transport is;
How signage works on transport vehicles;
How to mark the truck and position the placards correctly.

What is signage in freight transport?

Signage in freight transport is a way of identifying vehicles that carry dangerous cargo or are very long. It is an obligation that transport companies must meet.

This signage serves to increase safety in freight transport, preventing accidents and also penalties at inspection checkpoints.

How does cargo signage work?

In general, the signage on cargo vehicles is used with the intention of showing other drivers on the road the vehicle type and the product being transported.

That is why the identification on each placard shows whether the cargo is flammable, chemical, toxic, gases, and so on. For the road transport of dangerous goods on public roads in Brazil's national territory, the current regulation from ANTT (the National Land Transportation Agency) is Resolution No. 5.998/2022, and the classification of dangerous goods must comply with the Complementary Instructions annexed to the regulation.

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How to mark the truck?

To carry out proper signage in freight transport, the manager needs to know what information is required for the signage and to use the means of communication and positions determined for each case.

Check out the main information and which items are mandatory in truck signage:

Mandatory information in signage

Brazilian traffic legislation sets out some obligations for freight transport trucks:

Signage for long vehicles

Any cargo vehicle measuring more than 19.8 meters must display its length on the rear of the vehicle.

It is a way of telling drivers the distance and time needed to overtake safely on the road.

Signage for “Cargo Vehicle Combinations” (CVC)

When more than one cargo vehicle is combined in the same truck, it is identified as a “combination” vehicle.

These vehicles are more susceptible to rollovers and also usually travel at lower speeds than others, giving other drivers more opportunities to overtake.

Their signage is essential to alert other travelers to the care they should take when driving near this truck.

Signage in dangerous cargo transport

Dangerous cargo requires two main pieces of information displayed on the vehicle, which are:

Safety Panel: it has a rectangular shape and an orange background with black borders. It shows the cargo's hazard number and the UN (United Nations) number, information that identifies how much risk the goods pose if an accident occurs.
Hazard Label: it is diamond-shaped and shows an illustration of the type of hazard the product presents. In addition, it carries the product description and the hazard class number (which can range from 1 to 9). The color of the placard also helps identify the cargo class, so it is a point to watch when marking your vehicle.

ANTT Resolution No. 5.998/2022 also reinforces that vehicles and equipment used to transport dangerous goods must be properly marked, with identification elements suited to the products transported.

Positioning of signage placards in freight transport

Signage in freight transport can be positioned on the side, front or rear of the vehicle. Each one has different characteristics:

Side: the placard must be close to the rear of the vehicle, and the safety panel and label go at the vertical center.
Front: the panel must be fixed on the lower part and close to the reflective strip.
Rear: panel and label must mandatorily be fixed.

What other actions help increase safety in freight transport?

Recognize and prepare for risks

There are several risks in freight transport that end up not being addressed in the fleet's routine because they rarely happen. However, when they do happen, it is important that all employees are prepared and know how to act in the situation.

That is why identifying possible dangerous situations and having a containment plan is essential in your transport operation.

Know how to distribute loads correctly

Load distribution on the truck is as important as the other aspects of managing a fleet. A product positioned incorrectly can harm the cargo itself, damage the truck and even cause accidents on the route.

Some of the most used methods are by type or according to the route. However, when we talk about dangerous goods, they are transported exclusively in each vehicle — which must have the specific signage for this.

Standardize safety procedures

Having defined safety actions, such as vehicle inspection, signage in freight transport and route monitoring, is a good way to control and set the standards needed to optimize fleet safety.

Discover other ways to improve your fleet management in our free material — download the Fleet Management Guide (in Portuguese).

Frequently asked questions

How do you place dangerous goods placards on the truck?

Placement can be on the side, the front or the rear, and each one has different characteristics. On the side, the placard must be close to the rear of the vehicle, with the safety panel and label at the vertical center. On the front, the panel must be fixed on the lower part, close to the reflective strip. On the rear, panel and label are mandatorily fixed.

Which placards does dangerous goods transport require?

Two main pieces of information. The Safety Panel is rectangular, with an orange background and black borders, and shows the cargo's hazard number together with the UN number, which indicate the risk posed by the goods if an accident occurs. The Hazard Label is a diamond with the illustration of the type of hazard, plus the product description and the hazard class, a number that can range from 1 to 9. Identifying this class is easier by the color of the placard, a point to watch when marking the vehicle.

When does the truck need to signal its length?

In Brazil, a cargo vehicle measuring more than 19.8 meters must display its length on the rear, which tells other drivers the distance and time needed to overtake safely on the road. There is also the signage for Cargo Vehicle Combinations, used when two or more cargo vehicles are combined in the same truck: these combinations are more susceptible to rollovers and usually travel at lower speeds.

How many products are considered dangerous in transport?

In Brazil, ANTT (the National Land Transportation Agency) Resolution No. 5.998/2022 establishes the Regulation for the Road Transport of Dangerous Goods on public roads in the national territory. The classification of products as dangerous for transport purposes must follow the Complementary Instructions annexed to the regulation.

What other actions increase safety in freight transport?

Recognizing risks and preparing for them is one: there are uncommon risks that fall outside the fleet's routine, and it is worth mapping the possible dangerous situations and keeping a containment plan. Correct load distribution also matters, because a product positioned incorrectly can harm the cargo, damage the truck and even cause accidents on the route. Dangerous goods, in turn, are transported exclusively in each vehicle, with the specific signage.

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