Environmentally Hazardous Substance Hazchem Sign

Environmentally Hazardous Substance HAZCHEM Sign

Prevent accidents involving highly flammable and non-eco-friendly dangerous substance, Liquid (Diesel) with our ‘Environmentally Hazardous Substance Hazchem Sign’. Hazchem signs are required by New Zealand Law to be essentially displayed on any workplace, container or vehicle that stores certain chemical substances over a certain quantity. The objective is to provide –

• What it’s for
  Use this HAZCHEM panel to identify tanks, stores, gates and vehicles carrying or holding Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Liquid, N.O.S. (UN 3082). It helps emergency services, contractors and drivers see the hazard class and response code at a glance. For full setups, pair with the Class 9 Environmentally Hazardous diamond and any site controls (e.g., No Smoking).

  Compliance & readability
  Our layouts follow NZ best practice so the code line and UN number are bold, high-contrast and easy to read at distance. Production is aligned with NZS 5433, HSNO and WorkSafe guidance for DG signage.

• Purpose: HAZCHEM panel for Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Liquid, N.O.S. (UN 3082) — commonly used for diesel variants and other ecotoxic liquids.

• Compliant: Designed to align with NZS 5433 / HSNO guidance for DG transport & storage.

The ‘Environmentally Hazardous Substance Hazchem Sign’ helps in warning warn people of the bulk storage of non-eco-friendly and hazardous substances or liquid-like diesel as determined in the HSNO approved code of practice. Secondly, and most importantly, this sign helps fire brigade to determine the course of action if there’s an accident.

Not sure what those HAZCHEM numbers and symbols mean?Understanding HAZCHEM Signs in New Zealand & Australia explains every code — including how this one protects the environment from spills and runoff.

This sign fits under Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods, covering environmentally hazardous materials. Check our Dangerous Goods Classes 1–9 Guide to see where your product sits in the full DG lineup.

Handling bulk storage or tanker loads? You’ll likely need a matching EIP sign. Learn what details must appear in our Emergency Information Panel Signs Explained blog.

Not sure what the Hazard codes mean, check out our: What HAZCHEM Codes Mean – A Quick Reference Guide for Site Managers

FAQs

Q1: When should I use an Environmentally Hazardous HAZCHEM sign (UN 3082)?
Use it when transporting or storing liquids that meet UN 3082 (Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Liquid, N.O.S.). It’s commonly specified for diesel under certain conditions and complements the Class 9 Environmentally Hazardous diamond.

Q2: What size do I need for my gate/vehicle?
Use the reading guide: 300×225 mm up to 5 m, 450×337 mm up to 10 m, 600×450 mm up to 15 m (recommended), 800×600 mm up to 20 m, 1200×900 mm up to 30 m. If in doubt, choose 600×450 mm for most yards and vehicle doors.

Q3: What are the material and fixing options?
Self-adhesive laminated vinyl for smooth substrates, Corflute, rigid PVC or ACM panels for fences and gates, or magnetic for steel vehicles. Choose no holes, top/bottom holes or 4-corner holes — we include hex head screws with panel orders.

For more information check out these links

• WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous Substances Management
  👉 WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous substances

• EPA NZ – HSNO Act guidance
  👉 EPA NZ – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act

• United Nations GHS
  👉 UN – Globally Harmonized System (GHS)  

• Why you need the correct Hazard sign

How to choose the right mounting options.

Corflute: short term less than 2 years outdoors

Thin PVC: Medium term, more than 2 years

ACM: Long term 5 years or more

Supplied as a sticker:

long term digital print laminated for long term use. With a life of 5 years or more. We use a Hi Tac vinyl which allows it to be applied most surfaces.

Magnetic mounting option for the Environmentally Hazardous Substance Hazchem Sign

Flexible, vehicle-grade magnetic placards with the Environmentally Hazardous Substance Hazchem Sign printed on premium vinyl, laminated, and mounted to automotive magnetic sheeting. They stick to ferrous steel panels and remove without residue—ideal for vehicles that only carry DG sometimes.

Who they’re for

• Contractors / couriers who transport Dangerous Goods occasionally

• Hire or multi-use vehicles (no permanent signage)

• Sites that swap classes depending on load (quick changeover)

• Size: 250 × 250 mm (meets common road minimums).

• Magnet: vehicle-grade sheet, 0.8–1.0 mm thick (30–40 mil), high-energy.

• Face film: outdoor self-adhesive vinyl + UV laminate (gloss).

• Operating temp: suitable from winter cold to summer heat (typical automotive range).

Where they work (and don’t)

• Works on: painted steel panels that are flat, clean, and smooth.

• Doesn’t work on: aluminium, stainless, plastics, composites, heavy body filler; vinyl wraps, ceramic coatings, heavily textured paint.

• If customers have aluminium doors/ute trays, suggest self-adhesive or rigid ACM instead.

Fitment checklist

1. Clean & dry the panel (no wax/polish).

2. Warm, flat magnet—no curl.

3. Apply to flat steel only; press from centre out.

4. Do not bridge panel gaps, ribs or sharp curves.

5. Remove daily to clean/dry both surfaces; store flat.

6. In heavy rain/highway speeds, check edges haven’t lifted.

Care & maintenance

• Remove and wipe after wet weather; store flat (never rolled tight).

• Move position slightly each week to avoid differential fading.

• Avoid use on freshly resprayed paint (allow full cure).

Compliance note

• Magnet is a mounting method. The operator must ensure placards are the correct class, size, and securely affixed for the journey. Some carriers or site rules may require permanent/rigid placards—check your procedure.

 

NZS/AS 1319:1994 advocates simplicity and clarity in safety signage. To be effective, they should be easy to read and interpret at a glance.

The Standard is about the use of legible text and appropriate, simple symbols.

By simplifying the message, it reduces the risk of misinterpretation, which increases the chances of the sign’s warning or instruction being followed.

Enhancing the signs visibility through placement and colour

Placement and visibility will play a crucial role in the efficiency of safety signs.

The standard states that signs must be positioned near the hazard they are warning about, which ensures that the safety message is relevant. Also it advocates the use of contrasting colours for the background and lettering. This attention to the colour scheme will increase visibility and readability from a reasonable distance, which ensures the message is accessible.

The mission of Hazard Signs NZ is to provide quality-made safety signs to all of New Zealand. Our great prices and convenient online ordering platform make us a preferred supplier to many NZ businesses. All our signs are designed and manufactured in Invercargill to meet the workplace health and safety needs of all businesses and industries in New Zealand.

Please note. We make some of our safety signs to order and it may take 5 to 10 business days to receive. If you require your order urgently, please don’t hesitate to contact us to confirm an estimated delivery date prior to placing your order.

If you are not sure about what sign you need for your business, just contact us at +6432183350 or email us and we will make it ready for you.