Gevaarklasse

Gevaarklasse is a term used in Dutch- and Flemish-language safety literature to denote a category or level of danger associated with a material, activity, or situation. It is part of structured hazard classification systems designed to support risk assessment, labeling, storage, transport, and safety management. In Dutch-speaking contexts, the concept is related to gevaar and the broader idea of hazard classes used across sectors to organize risks into distinct categories with specific criteria and protective measures.

Hazard classes cover properties such as flammability, toxicity, reactivity, corrosion, environmental hazard, and other forms of physical danger. In chemical safety and labeling systems, gevaarklassen help determine which warnings and handling requirements apply, including labeling texts and safety data sheets.

In the transport of dangerous goods, hazard classes define the type of risk and the corresponding packaging, segregation, and emergency response rules. In occupational safety, hazard classification informs risk assessment and prioritization of controls like ventilation, containment, personal protective equipment, and monitoring.

Classification is typically based on data about the substance or activity, including experimental results, literature, and regulatory definitions, and can be revised as new information becomes available. The system aims to make hazards understandable and comparable, facilitating communication among manufacturers, regulators, workers, and responders.

See also: Hazard, Hazard analysis, Risk assessment, Globally Harmonized System, Dangerous goods, Safety data sheet.