NZ Dangerous Goods (D) Endorsement key terms

Substances or articles that can harm people, property or the environment during transport because of their explosive, flammable, toxic, corrosive, radioactive or infectious nature, or because they are gases under pressure.

A driver licence endorsement required in New Zealand before a driver may transport dangerous goods by road in quantities that trigger the dangerous goods rule, showing the driver has passed the required knowledge and fit-and-proper checks.

The New Zealand rule that sets out how dangerous goods must be classified, packaged, marked, labelled, documented, loaded, segregated and transported by road, and the duties of everyone involved.

A four-digit number assigned internationally to identify a specific dangerous good or group of goods, for example UN 1203 for petrol, used on documents, placards and packaging marks.

One of nine broad categories of dangerous goods, from Class 1 explosives through to Class 9 miscellaneous goods, each reflecting the main hazard the substance presents during transport.

A sub-grouping within a UN class that narrows the hazard, such as Division 2.1 flammable gases, Division 5.1 oxidising substances or Division 6.1 toxic substances.

A ranking of the degree of danger within some classes: Packing Group I for great danger, II for medium danger and III for minor danger, which affects packaging, quantities and documentation.

An additional hazard of a dangerous good beyond its primary class, such as a toxic substance that is also flammable, which must be shown on labels and considered when loading and segregating.

The official name of a dangerous good as listed in the dangerous goods list, used on the declaration, packaging marks and placards instead of a brand or trade name.

A three-character emergency response code, such as 3YE, that tells emergency services the type of hazard, whether to use water, foam or dry agent, and what protective equipment and evacuation may be needed.

A document completed by the consignor that states the proper shipping name, UN number, class, packing group, quantity, packaging and emergency contact for each dangerous good in a consignment.

The person or business that offers dangerous goods for transport, and who is responsible for correct classification, packaging, marking, labelling and providing the required documentation to the driver.

The person or business receiving a dangerous goods consignment, responsible for knowing what is arriving, being ready to receive it safely and holding the associated documentation.

The paperwork that must travel with a dangerous goods load, giving the details needed by the driver and emergency services, including the declaration information and an emergency contact number.

A telephone number on the transport document that reaches a person able to give specialist advice about the goods at any time while the load is in transit.

A large hazard warning sign fixed to the outside of a vehicle or freight container, showing the class label design and usually the UN number, so the load's hazard is visible from a distance.

A panel carried on a vehicle transporting dangerous goods that displays the UN number, class label and Hazchem code so emergency responders can identify the hazard and choose the right response.

The quantity or type of dangerous goods that triggers the requirement to display placards or an emergency information panel on the vehicle, below which different or reduced requirements apply.

A diamond-shaped warning label fixed to packaging or shown on placards, carrying the class number, symbol and hazard wording for the goods it identifies.

Keeping incompatible dangerous goods apart during loading and transport, by distance, barrier or separate compartments, so that a leak, fire or reaction in one cannot readily affect the other.

A chart in the dangerous goods rule that shows which classes and divisions may be loaded together and which must be kept apart, and how far apart they must be.

Dangerous goods that could react dangerously if they mixed, such as oxidisers with flammables or acids with cyanides, and which must therefore be segregated or not carried together.

The system of straps, lashings, barriers or load anchorage that stops dangerous goods packages from shifting, sliding or falling during braking, cornering or a crash.

Placing and fixing packages so they cannot move, tip, be crushed or be damaged by other freight, keeping labels visible and keeping the load stable for the whole journey.

Confirming the vehicle is fit for the particular goods, for example an open deck for some gases, a fire-resistant or vented body, correct signage, a fire extinguisher and no ignition sources where flammables are carried.

A load of dangerous goods below the quantity limits set in the rule, where some placarding or documentation requirements may be reduced but the driver's care and the goods' packaging and labels still apply.

Reading the labels, placards, Hazchem code and documentation to work out what hazards a load presents and what that means for driving, parking, loading and emergencies.

A reference carried or available to the driver that gives initial actions for a spill, leak or fire involving each class of dangerous goods, including evacuation distances and protective measures.

A portable extinguisher of the type and size required on a vehicle carrying dangerous goods, kept charged, accessible and matched to the classes of goods being carried.

The duty to report a dangerous goods incident such as a spill, leak, fire or crash to emergency services and the relevant authority promptly, giving location, goods and quantities.

The driver's legal duties to be fit and licensed, check documentation and signage, load and secure goods correctly, drive and park safely, and act correctly in an emergency.

Rules limiting where a vehicle carrying dangerous goods may be left, keeping it away from ignition sources, drains, tunnels, crowds and confined spaces, and requiring it to be attended or secured.

Limits on which dangerous goods may pass through particular tunnels, marked by signs at the entrance, which the driver must check against the load before entering.

Using packaging that is approved and marked for the goods and packing group concerned, is undamaged and closed correctly, so the goods cannot escape in normal transport conditions.

The minimum separation required between incompatible goods or between dangerous goods and food or people, measured as a gap, a barrier or a separate compartment as the rule specifies.

Absorbent and containment materials carried or available so a driver can stop a small leak spreading, protect drains and contain the substance until help arrives.

The frame or mounting on the vehicle that holds the emergency information panel in place, visible from the rear and sides, with the correct information for the load being carried.