Dangerous goods fully under control

As a rule, the obligation applies to every undertaking that consigns, carries, packs, fills, loads or unloads dangerous goods. A consultation will show whether it applies to your company.

A dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA) is a person holding a certificate issued in Poland by the Transport Technical Supervision (TDT), appointed by an undertaking that consigns, carries, packs, fills, loads or unloads dangerous goods. Their tasks include monitoring compliance with ADR and RID, advising on carriage, internal checks, preparing the annual report and accident reports. The role can be filled by an employee or by an external adviser.

The adviser's tasks are set out in section 1.8.3 of ADR. The most important duties are:

• monitoring compliance with the rules governing the carriage of dangerous goods,
• advising the undertaking on the carriage of dangerous goods,
• preparing an annual report on the undertaking's activities relating to the carriage of dangerous goods,
• monitoring the procedures for identifying (classifying) the dangerous goods carried,
• checking staff training and the records kept of it,
• monitoring emergency procedures in the event of accidents or incidents that may affect safety during carriage,
• investigating serious accidents, incidents and infringements and preparing reports,
• checking loading and unloading procedures and whether the undertaking has the required security plan.

For a carrier starting to transport dangerous goods, the following order works well:

1. Understanding the needs - which goods will be carried, in what quantities and in which vehicles, and whether any exemptions can be used.
2. ADR audit - for companies already operating - a review of the fleet, equipment, documents and work organisation against ADR requirements.
3. Signing a contract with an adviser - appointing a safety adviser and completing the formalities related to the appointment.
4. Staff training - training everyone involved in carriage in line with ADR chapter 1.3; drivers also need an ADR driver training certificate.
5. Implementing procedures - instructions for loading and unloading, checking documents and vehicle equipment, emergency procedures and - where required - a security plan.

An adviser can support you at every one of these stages - from the first consultation to full implementation.