Class 8 Corrosive Sign

Hazardous Signs – Class 8 Corrosive Sign

Class 8 Corrosive Sign – For corrosive material as per class 8. Described as a highly reactive substance that will damage living tissue. Corrosive materials can give off irritating vapours that affect the eyes, airways and skin. Corrosive materials may be either acids or bases/alkalis that possess. Flammability or oxidation characteristics. Always exercise caution around corrosive materials. The pictogram (symbol/icon) in the ‘Class 8 Corrosive Sign’ clearly warn of hazards that could cause injury and or accident.

Health and Safety is an issue that MUST not be ignored. The mission of Hazard Signs NZ is to provide quality-made safety signs. With our great prices and online ordering, the platform makes us a preferred supplier to many businesses. We design safety signs to meet the workplace health and safety needs of all businesses and industries.

“Dealing with acids or alkalis? Find out how Class 8 keeps things under control in our Dangerous Goods Class Guide.”

Check out our: Complete Guide to Dangerous Goods Placards (NZ & AU)

Which Class 8 sign do I need?

There are two correct “Corrosive” signs, each for a different job:

• GHS Corrosive pictogram (red diamond with test tubes on hand/metal)
  Use on containers and in workplaces. Typical use: bottles, drums, IBCs, decanted containers, lab areas and storage rooms. It’s part of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for hazardous substances. Not for vehicle placarding.

• Class 8 Transport Placard (black/white diamond with CORROSIVE & the number 8)
  Use on vehicles, tanks, freight containers and bulk packages when transporting dangerous goods. This is the DG transport label (square-on-point placard).

Size guidance

• Packages / workplace labels (GHS): 100 mm for small containers or door labels.

• Transport placards (Class 8): 250 mm is the minimum side length for road transport. Choose 400 mm for trucks/bulk tanks to improve long-distance visibility; 800 mm for high-mount or wide vehicles/site fences.

Materials: durable self-adhesive vinyl (optionally laminated), corflute or PVC for temporary signs, ACM/aluminium for long-life; reflective available on request.

Still unsure? Tell us where the sign is going and we’ll recommend the right standard and size.

Classifications:

The properties of hazardous substances have been classified, so to determine the best way the risks can be managed. They have been classified into eight key hazard classes:

•  1: Explosives.
•  2: Flammable gases.
•  3: Flammable liquids.
•  4: Flammable solids.
•  5: Oxidising substances.
•  6: Substances toxic to people.
•  8: Corrosive substances.
•  9: Substances toxic to the environment.

FAQs

Q1: What’s the difference between the two Class 8 signs?
The GHS pictogram is for container/workplace labelling. The Class 8 placard is for transport. Both must be correct in their respective settings.

Q2: What’s the minimum size for a transport placard?
250 mm per side is the standard minimum. Use 400–600 mm for better road visibility; 800 mm for high mounting or long viewing distances.

Q3: Can I use the GHS label on a truck?
No. Use the Class 8 transport placard on vehicles and freight.

Q4: What material should I choose?
Self-adhesive vinyl works for smooth surfaces; ACM/aluminium is best for long-life outdoor mounting; corflute/PVC for temporary or fence signs. Reflective improves night visibility.

Q5: Do you supply custom sizes or reflective?
Yes — we can supply custom sizes, hole positions, and reflective on request.

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)

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

Flexible, vehicle-grade magnetic placards with the Class 8 diamond 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 Class 8 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).

• Print: high-contrast black/white or re/black artwork.

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.

For further information go to the Worksafe website https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/hazardous-substances/managing/hazardous-substances-signs/

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.