What marking system allows for the identification of hazardous materials based on numerical ratings?

The NFPA 704 system is designed to communicate the hazards associated with materials through a color-coded and numbered labeling system. This system uses a diamond shape, where each section of the diamond represents a different type of hazard: health, flammability, instability, and specific hazards. The numerical ratings range from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating no hazard and 4 indicating a severe hazard. This clear numerical representation allows for quick visual identification of the level of risk involved with a specific material, making it a valuable tool for safety in emergency situations.

The other options, while relevant to hazardous material classifications, do not specifically use numerical ratings in the same structured way. For instance, the GHS (Globally Harmonized System) utilizes symbols and words to convey information rather than numerical ratings, and the DOT (Department of Transportation) Hazard Classification focuses more on the category of the material rather than a numeric rating system. The HMIS (Hazardous Materials Identification System) also employs color codes and numbers but does so in a different context and format than the NFPA system.