Transporting Dangerous Goods by Road – Extra Considerations to Make
Transporting dangerous goods on the roads is a straightforward procedure when all the right rules are in place and abided by. Here are the considerations you need to make before transporting dangerous goods.
Packaging
It is essential that you have a qualified dangerous goods safety adviser check the good and are packaged and handled correctly. All goods will need to be packed properly to withstand disruption and movement that you will anticipate during transit. All packages need to be clearly marked with the UN classification number with the correct safety labels for the appropriate goods. If they are being exported as it needs to be clear that they are dangerous goods.
You are legally obliged to make a declaration of the dangers and hazards that could come with transporting these dangerous goods. The shipper can do this by completing a dangerous goods note. For goods travelling by road or rail this can be completed with an in-house document as long as it includes all relevant information.
Training
Making sure your drivers are correctly trained within the industry and equipment they will be working with is a legal requirement as well as making it much safer for everyone and reducing risks.
Drivers of dangerous loads will need to hold an ADR training certificate unless they are transporting small loads.
There are currently 3 types of operator licences available. You need to make sure that the person hauling the dangerous good has the correct type of license.
- Restricted – the license holder can carry their own goods within the UK
- Standard national – the holder can carry both their own goods and goods for others within the UK
- Standard international – the holder can carry their own goods and goods for others both in the UK and on international journeys
Security
Regulations with security in mind require anyone involved in the transporting of goods to comply with this list:
- have a security awareness training program in place
- make sites that temporarily store dangerous goods secure
- have a security plan in place, if involved with high-consequence dangerous goods
- only offer the goods to appropriate carriers
You will also need to send a DNG (Dangerous goods note) with your consignment.
Customs authorities are able to intervene a shipment if they are concerned with something. And while it is not likely to happen, be aware that customs rules allow goods to pass through the UK without the need for a specific UK licence.
Insurance
If you own a business, then you have the choice of numerous hazardous goods fleet insurance policies on offer in the UK. But if your vehicles will be carrying dangerous goods then you will need a specialist motor fleet insurance (and goods in transit insurance) to cover you, as standard insurance won’t be enough. You will need a specially tailored insurance policy for your fleet to make sure that your business and everyone involved is protected. It might not be as expensive as you think, though. Always remember to get a lorry fleet insurance quote from a few HGV fleet insurance companies to compare and find the better value policy. That way, you can reap the rewards of the profits from transporting dangerous goods without having higher overheads than you need.