In NSW dangerous goods transport, a HAZCHEM code—officially an Emergency Action Code (EAC)—is displayed on Emergency Information Panels (EIPs) fitted to bulk dangerous goods vehicles. Consulted immediately by emergency responders during a spill or fire, the code details required firefighting media (1–4 and the alcohol-resistant foam bullet), PPE, violent-reaction risk, whether spillage must be contained or diluted, and if public evacuation (‘E’) should be considered. NSW drivers must understand these codes before driving and know emergency response procedures: calling 000 and notifying the NSW EPA Environment Line on 131 555.
When a heavy vehicle carrying dangerous goods is involved in an incident, emergency responders rely on the HAZCHEM code on the vehicle’s Emergency Information Panel (EIP) for immediate tactical guidance. For NSW commercial drivers, reading HAZCHEM codes is essential for pre-trip checks, compliance, and emergency management.
What Is a HAZCHEM Code and Where Is It Displayed in NSW?
A HAZCHEM code is an Emergency Action Code (EAC) providing firefighters and police immediate tactical guidance in the critical early stages of an incident. While class diamonds identify primary hazards, the HAZCHEM code prescribes specific firefighting media, PPE, and spill actions.
Under the ADG Code, HAZCHEM codes are displayed on Emergency Information Panels (EIPs). In NSW, EIPs are required on bulk transport vehicles carrying dangerous goods in receptacles >500 L capacity or >500 kg net mass. EIPs are mounted on the rear and sides. See our guide on EIP panel types compared.
Drivers must distinguish between an Emergency Information Panel and an Emergency Procedure Guide (EPG):
- Emergency Information Panel (EIP): External panel mounted on bulk vehicles displaying UN number, HAZCHEM code, Class label, emergency contact, and specialist advice.
- Emergency Procedure Guide (EPG): Written guide kept in the cabin emergency holder detailing product instructions.
Never confuse the EIP (external panel) with the EPG (internal guide). For non-bulk placarding rules, see dangerous goods placards in NSW.
First Character Breakdown: Firefighting Extinguishing Media
The first character is a digit from 1 to 4 specifying the required firefighting medium:
- 1 — Coarse Water Spray: Coarse water spray or solid stream is suitable.
- 2 — Fine Water Spray: Fine water spray (fog nozzle) must be used.
- 3 — Normal Foam: Normal protein-based foam (not alcohol-resistant) should be used.
- 4 — Dry Agent: Dry chemical agent must be used because water MUST NOT be allowed to come into contact with the substance due to violent reactivity.
A bullet symbol (`•`) preceding 2 or 3 (such as `•2Y` or `•3WE`) denotes that alcohol-resistant foam is preferred. If alcohol-resistant foam is unavailable, fine water spray (for `•2`) or normal foam (for `•3`) can still be used.
The system enforces a strict hierarchy: a higher number than shown can be used, but a lower number must not be used. If `2` is displayed, fine spray or normal foam (`3`) may be used, but coarse spray (`1`) must not.
Decoding the Second Character: Protective Equipment and Spill Control
The second character is a letter specifying protective equipment (PPE), violent-reaction risk, and spill strategy:
- P, S, W, Y: Carry a risk of violent reaction or explosion.
- R, T, X, Z: Carry no violent-reaction risk.
- P & W: Liquid-tight chemical protective clothing (LTS) + breathing apparatus (BA). P = Dilute; W = Contain.
- S & Y: Full fire kit + breathing apparatus (BA). S = Dilute; Y = Contain.
- R & T: Dilute action without violent reaction (R = LTS + BA; T = full fire kit + BA).
- X & Z: Contain action without violent reaction (X = LTS + BA; Z = full fire kit + BA).
What Does the Letter ‘E’ Mean as a Third Character?
The third character can only be ‘E’, standing for Public Safety Hazard, indicating area evacuation should be considered. Responders evaluate:
- Protection in Place: People stay indoors with doors/windows closed, in upstairs rooms facing away, with ventilation off and ignition sources eliminated.
- Isolation Distances: Non-essential personnel move clear to distances in the Australian Emergency Response Guide.
- Command Consultation: Commanders consult product experts. Remaining inside a sealed building is usually safer than open-air evacuation.
Many codes are two-character (e.g. `2Y`). For multi-load codes, ‘E’ must be included if it occurs in the HAZCHEM code of any dangerous goods carried.
Dilute vs Contain: What Dangerous Goods Drivers Must Do on Scene
The distinction between Dilute and Contain dictates immediate spill response:
- Dilute (P, R, S, T): Spillage may be washed to drain with large quantities of water to safely lower concentration.
- Contain (W, X, Y, Z): Spillage must be prevented from entering drains, storm sewers, or watercourses by any means available.
Under Safe Work NSW and NSW EPA regulations, drivers must check their load’s code before driving and use onboard spill kits to block drains on ‘Contain’ loads if safe.
Driver Emergency Response: What to Do When an Incident Occurs
Drivers involved in an incident are trained to follow these steps:
- Stop vehicle safely, apply parking brakes, shut off engine.
- Gather transport paperwork and safety equipment.
- Walk upwind of any spill or gas release.
- Call 000 first (provide exact location and UN numbers).
- Notify employer / prime contractor dispatch.
- Notify the NSW EPA Environment Line on 131 555 (never 131 304).
- Keep all ignition sources at least 15 metres from flammable gas or liquid escapes.
- Place 3 portable warning triangles complying with AS 3790 (never use road flares).
- Contain spillage if safe to do so.
Master Emergency Action Codes in the NSW DG Licence Course
Drivers learn HAZCHEM codes, EIP reading, and emergency response in the ASQA-accredited TLILIC0001 Licence to Transport Dangerous Goods by Road course at Kells Safety Centre (RTO 91528).
- Unit & Fee: TLILIC0001 — $618 all-inclusive, including EPA licence processing.
- Duration & Venues: 2 days, 7:15am–3:30pm daily. Face-to-face ONLY at Wetherill Park AND Wollongong.
- Licence Term: Valid for 5 years (vehicle licence is 1 year; never confuse them).
- Re-assessment Fees: $96 (≤15 questions remaining), $178 (16+ questions remaining), $368 (full course re-sit).
- Licence Rule: Required for receptacles >500 L capacity or >500 kg net mass (bulk). Packaged loads (≤500 L/kg) never trigger the driver licence.
- Placard Thresholds (Table 5.3): Receptacle >500L/kg always placardable; PG I / Div 2.1 / 2.3 > 250 kg/L aggregate; PG II/III & Div 2.2 > 1,000 kg/L.
- Legislation: *Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2008*, *Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Regulation 2022*, and ADG Code 7.9.
- HAZCHEM Purpose: EACs give 15-minute tactical instructions for first responders.
- First Character: 1=coarse spray, 2=fine spray, 3=normal foam, 4=dry agent (water MUST NOT contact substance). Bullet (`•`) means alcohol-resistant foam preferred; higher numbers allowed, lower prohibited.
- Second Character: Letters denote PPE, violent reaction risk (P, S, W, Y), and Dilute vs Contain.
- Third Character (‘E’): Public safety hazard requiring consideration of evacuation or sheltering indoors.
- EIP vs EPG: EIP is external panel on bulk loads; EPG is internal written guide. Never confuse them.
- Emergency Protocol: Stop, move upwind, call 000 with location and UN numbers, notify employer, call EPA Environment Line 131 555, keep ignition sources 15m away, deploy 3 warning triangles, contain spill if safe.
- DG Licence: TLILIC0001 ($618 all-inclusive, 2 days face-to-face in Wetherill Park or Wollongong) is required for driving bulk receptacles (>500 L capacity or >500 kg net mass). Valid 5 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the HAZCHEM code on a dangerous goods vehicle?
HAZCHEM codes are displayed on 800×600 mm Emergency Information Panels (EIPs) mounted on the rear and sides of bulk dangerous goods vehicles in NSW, positioned in the upper-right section beside the class label.
What is the difference between an EIP and an EPG?
An EIP is an external vehicle panel displaying the UN number, HAZCHEM code, class label, and emergency contacts. An EPG is a written paper guide kept inside the cabin emergency holder detailing product-specific safety actions.
What should a driver do if a HAZCHEM code starts with the number 4?
A code starting with 4 warns that water MUST NOT contact the substance due to violent reactivity. Drivers must highlight this hazard in paperwork, inform responders immediately, and protect the load from water contact.
What does the bullet symbol (•) mean before a HAZCHEM number?
A bullet symbol (`•`) before 2 or 3 indicates alcohol-resistant foam is preferred. If unavailable, fine water spray (for `•2`) or normal foam (for `•3`) may still be used.
When does a HAZCHEM code require the letter ‘E’?
The letter ‘E’ indicates a public safety hazard where evacuation or sheltering indoors should be considered. Multi-load codes must include ‘E’ if present in any goods carried.
Do packaged dangerous goods loads display a HAZCHEM code?
No. Packaged loads (receptacles ≤500 L/kg) display class placards when threshold quantities are met, but do not display EIPs or HAZCHEM codes, which are required only on bulk units.
How far away must ignition sources be kept during a flammable leak?
During a flammable gas (Division 2.1) or liquid (Class 3) escape, all ignition sources must be kept at least 15 metres away. Drivers must stop engines immediately and enforce a safe perimeter.
