Pay attention to pictorial precautionary marks

By Ray Bohman -- Logistics Management, 9/1/2005

Specialized markings for shipping containers have been around for many years. For example, hazardous materials have long been required to show specified markings, as set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49.

Other markings that will be familiar to a larger number of shippers are those included in Item 682 of the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), titled "Pictorial Precautionary Markings."

That rule requires that one or more of the pictorial symbols or precautionary wording shown therein be "conspicuously shown" when conditions require special handling or storage. Palletized or unitized loads may be marked as a single unit.

The rule also specifies that when precautionary markings are required, they must be shown on two adjacent panels as a minimum, with the exception of markings described in Setions 7(a), 8(a), 11, and 13 (see below). Symbols may be printed directly on the carton or applied as an adhesive label. For prominence, such symbols may be shown within a border or on an opposing background color.

Here is a list of the various symbols included in that item:

Sec. 1: FRAGILE — HANDLE WITH CARE (silhouette of a wine glass)

In addition to being shown in the upper left corner of side panels, the symbol may also be positioned on any panel to indicate the location of glass within the shipping unit.

Sec. 2: UP ARROWS (two upward-pointing arrows resting on a horizontal bar)

Sec. 2(a) states that this symbol may be shown in duplicate to indicate multiple acceptable upright positions. Sec. 2(b), which applies only to articles of furniture, requires either a specified cautionary statement flanked by upward-pointing arrows or the precautionary markings in Sec. 1 and Sec 2(a), in combination only.

Sec. 3: TOP HEAVY (the word CAUTION above a T-shaped mark sitting atop a horizontal bar, with its arrow-shaped crossbar bending downward. The words TOP HEAVY appear below.)

Sec. 4: KEEP DRY (raindrops falling on an umbrella)

Sec. 5: PROTECT FROM HEAT (carton under a roof that's exposed to the sun's rays

Sec. 6: PROTECT FROM FREEZING (snowflakes above a carton protected by a roof )

Sec. 7: HAND TRUCK

(a) Hand truck may be used (silhouette of a hand truck)

(b) Do not use hand truck (hand truck inside a circle with a slash across it)

The appropriate symbol must be shown on the side of the container where such a handling device should be used.

Sec. 8: FORKLIFT

(a) Forklift may be used (silhouette of a forklift)

(b) Do not use forklift (forklift inside a circle with a slash across it)

The appropriate symbol must be shown on the side of container where such handling devices should be used.

Sec. 9: STACK HEIGHT (outline of two stacked boxes with a number representing the maximum allowable stacking height printed above)

Sec. 10: DO NOT STACK (two stacked boxes inside a circle with a slash across it)

Sec. 11: NO STEP (two footprints inside a circle with a slash across it)

Sec. 12: TEMPERATURE LIMITS (thermometer with lowest allowable temperature shown at lower left and highest allowable temperature printed at upper right)

Both high and low temperatures should be shown in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

Sec. 13: CENTER OF BALANCE (horizontal bar balanced on the tip of a triangle)

This symbol must be shown on opposite sides of the container to indicate the balance point for handling purposes.

Sec. 14: MAGNETICALLY SENSITIVE (horseshoe magnet above a carton sheltered by a roof)

There is good reason to comply with these rules if you're shipping via a carrier that is party to the National Motor Freight Classification. First, printing the appropriate symbol(s) on shipping units in the proper location will forewarn a carrier's dockworkers, especially forklift operators, as to how that unit should--or should not-- be handled and/or stowed in the vehicle. This could very well result in a lower incidence, or even the elimination, of in-transit damages.

A second reason is that, should you fail to print a required symbol on your shipping units and damage occurs while the unit is in transit, any carrier claims inspector worth his or her salt would quickly spot that shortcoming and recommend that the carrier deny any subsequent claim that may be filed.

One final point: How large should symbols be when imprinted on a carton or shipping unit, such as a pallet load? Item 682 states only that the pictorial symbols must be "conspicuously shown," thus giving you latitude when it comes to size. My recommendation would be to make precautionary symbols large enough that a forklift driver could clearly see them before the vehicle's lift blades can make contact with the shipping unit. That would certainly be larger than the size of the symbols shown in NMFC Item 682.