Who needs a DGSA?

The Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser, or DGSA, has an important role.

The Carriage Regulations, in reference to ADR state:

“Each undertaking, the activities of which include the carriage, or the related packing, loading, filling or unloading of dangerous goods by road [and rail] shall appoint one or more Safety Advisers [DGSA], responsible for helping to prevent the risks inherent in such activities with regard to persons, property and the environment.”

Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers must be able to demonstrate that they are capable of performing their duties and must sit examinations resulting in the award of a Vocational Training Certificate (valid for five years).

What are the legal obligations of a DGSA?

The DGSA has a legal obligation to carry out the following broad functions:

  • Monitoring compliance with the law.
  • Advising the employer with regards to Dangerous Goods.
  • Preparing an annual report of the employers?activities.
  • Monitoring of a range of procedures and safety measures.
  • Investigating and compiling reports on any accidents or emergencies.
  • Anyone transporting dangerous goods by road in most road tankers, tank containers, in bulk and a certain amount of dangerous goods by road in in-scope packages (I.e. in receptacles over certain sizes ?separate limited quantities are allocated to each product)

Initial and renewal courses

K Training provides several options to gain this qualification. A five day intensive course with the option of a two day revision, mock exam and feedback course.

Our trainers are individually approved by SQA to run ADR courses and come from industry background.

Examinations

Approved reference books are allowed into the open book examinations.

Delegates need to know how to find information as well as know its content, as questions will ask for reference details in the answers. Delegates also need to independently register with SQA.