C&G Safety & Environmental Limited

If you send, carry or receive 'dangerous goods' by road, rail or waterway, above a certain load size, and it is your main activity, you must appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) whether this is in house through training or through working with a health and safety consultancy such as ourselves.

This includes hauliers, carriers, packers, fillers, loaders and intermediate unloaders. 'Dangerous goods' covers products that pose a risk to health, safety and the environment, including clinical waste, acids, hazardous chemicals and explosives.

You must appoint a DGSA to comply with:

• ADR in Great Britain, the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009
• Regulations Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID)
• European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN)
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

 

Who doesn't need a DGSA?

In Great Britain, there are some exemptions from the requirement to appoint a DGSA, including if your business is involved in the carriage of dangerous goods:

• only on an occasional basis
• in small loads (except for tankers or bulk carriage) - see our guide on transporting dangerous goods in limited quantities
• by road between adjacent premises - except if carrying radioactive material
• using private vehicles
• that include machinery which happens to contain dangerous goods
• by emergency services
• that contain some gases and liquid fuels

This information is for guidance only and you should refer to the ADR 1.8.3 for details. You can find detailed guidance on the exemption from duty to appoint a DGSA on the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) website - Opens in a new window.

The GB exemptions do not apply to international carriage. If you import dangerous goods, you are the 'owner' of the goods in transit from the docks or airport and must appoint a DGSA.