A preferred embodiment is directed to a method and system of identifying hazardous materials using an optical reader and an optical label. A first step is to locate the optical label on a transportation device. A second step is to activate a trigger control of the optical reader to engage power and begin scanning the optical label. Another step is to image the optical label to generate a first electromagnetic signal containing code of a hazardous material. Yet another step is to transmit the first electromagnetic signal to a host computer wherein the host computer transmits a second electromagnetic signal. A next step is to receive at the optical reader the second electromagnetic signal containing information on the hazardous material. The final step is to obtain the information about the hazardous material on a display of the optical reader.