☣️ UN 2908 • CLASS 7
Radioactive material, excepted package, empty packaging
Placard: Radioactive. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
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⚠️ This page is a quick-reference aid. For real incidents: stage upwind, isolate, deny entry, request Hazmat early, and consult the current ERG + SOP/SOG.
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Quick details
UN 2908
Class: 7
Placard type: Radioactive
ERG: Guide 161 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 161: No evacuation distances listed for excepted packages; minimal isolation required; treat as low-hazard packaging material
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Excepted radioactive packageEmpty radioactive packagingRAM excepted package emptyClass 7 excepted empty package |
| Appearance | Empty packaging or container that previously held radioactive materials. Physical form varies (metal drums, boxes, crates). May show residual contamination levels below regulatory thresholds. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (empty packaging) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (empty packaging) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (empty packaging) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction - empty packaging only |
| Extinguishing | Standard firefighting methods appropriate for packaging material type |
| PPE | ⚠️ Standard work gloves and clothing sufficient; radiation levels are minimal and below detection thresholds for most survey instruments |
| Isolation | ERG 161: No evacuation distances listed for excepted packages; minimal isolation required; treat as low-hazard packaging material |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public
- Very low levels of contained radioactive materials and low radiation levels outside packages result in low
- Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
- Packages do not have RADIOACTIVE I, II, or III labels. Some may have EMPTY labels or may have the
- Some of these materials may burn, but most do not ignite readily.
- Many have cardboard outer packaging; content (physically large or small) can be of many different
- Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.
First actions (field-minded)
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the
- Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Detain or isolate uninjured persons or equipment suspected to be contaminated; delay decontamination
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
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UN 2908 — Radioactive material, excepted package, HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2908
Product: Radioactive material, excepted package, empty packaging
Class 7 / Radioactive / ERG 161
PPE: Standard work gloves and clothing sufficient; radiation levels are minimal and below detection thresholds for most survey instruments
ISOLATION: ERG 161: No evacuation distances listed for excepted packages; minimal isolation required; treat as low-hazard packaging material
ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO
Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING ===
UN 2908 — Radioactive material, excepted package, empty packaging
Class: 7 | Placard: Radioactive | ERG Guide: 161
Appearance: Empty packaging or container that previously held radioactive materials. Physical form varies (metal drums, boxes, crates). May show residual contamination levels below regulatory thresholds.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction - empty packaging only
Extinguishing: Standard firefighting methods appropriate for packaging material type
PPE: Standard work gloves and clothing sufficient; radiation levels are minimal and below detection thresholds for most survey instruments
Isolation: ERG 161: No evacuation distances listed for excepted packages; minimal isolation required; treat as low-hazard packaging material
— Key Hazards —
• Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public
• Very low levels of contained radioactive materials and low radiation levels outside packages result in low
• Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the
• Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2908 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2908 Radioactive material, excepted package, empty packaging Cls7 ERG161 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2908SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS. Includes link to full page.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions. Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2908
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FAQ
Radiation presents minimal risk to transport workers, emergency response personnel and the public Very low levels of contained radioactive materials and low radiation levels outside packages result in low Some radioactive materials cannot be detected by commonly available instruments. Packages do not have RADIOACTIVE I, II, or III labels. Some may have EMPTY labels or may have the Some of these materials may burn, but most do not ignite readily. Many have cardboard outer packaging; content (physically large or small) can be of many different Radioactivity does not change flammability or other properties of materials.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Priorities for rescue, life-saving, first aid, fire control and other hazards are higher than the Radiation Authority must be notified of accident conditions. Radiation Authority is usually responsible for
Standard work gloves and clothing sufficient; radiation levels are minimal and below detection thresholds for most survey instruments
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 161 and your department SOP/SOG for incident-specific protective actions.
Sources (high level): DOT/PHMSA marking & class concepts + ERG usage principles. This page does not reproduce ERG guide text—always consult the current ERG for incident-specific protective actions.