The Hazard Rating System
Many businesses across the United States deal with and use various chemicals in order for their business operations to flow smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Understanding the hazard rating system that is available to the public is essential to the safety of those who not only use the chemicals directly, but anyone in the general vicinity. The National Fire Protection Association created the 704 Diamond hazard rating system in order to standardize the rating process, allowing for national understanding of what exactly is contained inside of any specific hazmat container. The NFPA has done the public a great service, allowing for generalized safety regulations and public knowledge which increased public safety. The 704 Diamond hazard rating system ranks chemicals on four attributes from one to four, with the higher the number being a stronger chemical regarding that attribute. The four attributes are health, flammability, reactivity, and special information. This article will focus on the Special Information attribute of the NFPA’s 704 Diamond, depicted by the white section of the diamond.
Special Information Component
Unlike the other components of the hazard rating system, the special information component is not rated from one to four. This component focuses on specific characteristics that the chemical may have and different symbols that represent the characteristics, which are:
- Oxy: Oxidizing Agent. These compounds give up oxygen easily, remove hydrogen from other compounds, or attract negative electrons.
- W: Water Reactive. These compounds undergo rapid energy releases upon introduction to water.
- G: Compressed Gas
- LN2: Liquid Nitrogen
- LHE: Liquid Helium
For your own safety, the safety of your employees, and the safety of the general public, it is crucial to truly understand and absorb the NFPA’s hazard rating system. We can prevent tragedy together. We’ll provide you with the best hazmat storage, and you can be knowledgeable and responsible for teaching your employees correct handling measures. Let’s both do our parts. For more information on the rating system, visit this page from Northeastern University. Call us today at (888) 264-2449, and like us on Facebook for more information and stories! Be safe!
