Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors (DGSAs) – Changes to Regulations

Anyone involved with the transportation or handling of goods containing hazardous properties should have access to a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) by 1 January 2023 to ensure that ADR regulations are adhered to.

The regulations do not only apply to those transporting the goods directly, but to anyone who allows dangerous goods to be carried or is involved in the related packing, loading, filling, or unloading. Examples include:

• Manufacturers of dangerous goods or product fillers/decanters
• Packers packing or labelling dangerous goods
• Warehouse workers loading dangerous goods onto vehicles
• Office-based consignors organising transport of dangerous goods

Here Phill Shelton, Warehousing & Distribution Manager and DGSA at Apollo, explains the regulation changes.

What are ADR Regulations?

ADR is The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. It provides guidance on the transport and handling of products classified as ‘dangerous goods’ – applying to all goods containing hazardous properties, including most household cleaning products and paint, as well as a range of adhesives and primers.

The regulations state:

ADR2021 1.8.3.1: Each undertaking, the activities of which include the consigning or the carriage of dangerous goods by road, or the related packing, loading, filling, or unloading shall appoint one or more safety advisers for the carriage of dangerous goods, responsible for helping to prevent the risks inherent in such activities with regard to persons, property, and the environment.

The regulations therefore can apply to anyone who allows dangerous goods to be carried – not just the transport operator. This could include cargo consignors, freight forwarders, warehouse workers and manufacturers producing goods that will be collected from their factory. Each should have access to a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) to ensure that the ADR regulations are adhered to.

The need for those who are consignors/handlers only to appoint a DGSA was introduced in ADR 2019. This requirement was applicable from 31 December 2019, with a derogation stating that the appointment of a safety adviser must happen no later than 31 December 2022. So by 1 January 2023, all consignors of dangerous goods must have a DGSA appointed.

Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA)

A DGSA should be a competent person able to advise on the safe transport of dangerous goods, nationally and internationally. The role of the DGSA is to help control the risks inherent in such activities with regard to persons, property and the environment.

DGSAs generally complete training and must be successful in passing specified exams to gain the qualification, which are required be renewed every five years. Companies have the option to either train a member of staff, or appoint a third party DGSA.

The DGSA’s duties and responsibilities include:

• monitoring compliance with the requirements governing transport of dangerous goods
• advising the business on the transport of dangerous goods
• preparing an annual report on the business’ activities and performance in the transport of dangerous goods
• monitoring the provision of training and advice to other staff
• investigating any accidents or infringements of regulations and preparing reports
• reporting of incidents and accidents to the Department for Transport
• more details on the responsibilities of DGSAs can be found here on the government website

Please contact us for more information.

The below infographic summarises the regulation changes: