What does Hazmat mean?

Hazmat stands for hazardous materials: substances that pose a significant risk to health, safety or the environment if they are not handled correctly. They include chemicals, gases, flammable liquids, corrosives, explosives, oxidisers, toxic and radioactive substances, and certain batteries.

Examples of hazardous materials

• Corrosives such as acids and bases
• Explosives
• Flammable and combustible liquids and gases
• Oxidising agents and organic peroxides
• Toxic and infectious substances
• Radioactive materials and certain batteries

How hazmat is transported

Hazmat transport is heavily regulated. In Europe, road transport follows the ADR agreement (in the US it is overseen by agencies such as the DOT and EPA). Shipments must be correctly classified, packaged, marked, labelled and accompanied by the right documentation, and drivers and handlers need specific training.

Hazmat and dangerous goods

In practice, hazmat is the same idea as dangerous goods. Because ADR restricts which roads, tunnels and areas some classes may use, routing hazmat correctly is a planning task in its own right.