What is a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser or DGSA ?

Article 1.8.3.3 of ADR 2023 states the following with regard to the tasks of a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA):

“The main task of the adviser shall be, under the responsibility of the head of the undertaking, to seek by all appropriate means and by all appropriate action, within the limits of the relevant activities of that undertaking, to facilitate the conduct of those activities in accordance with the requirements applicable and in the safest possible way. “

With regard to the undertaking’s activities, the adviser has the following duties in particular:

monitoring compliance with the requirements governing the carriage of dangerous goods;
advising his undertaking on the carriage of dangerous goods;
preparing an annual report to the management of his undertaking or a local public authority, as appropriate, on the undertaking's activities in the carriage of dangerous goods. Such annual reports shall be preserved for five years and made available to the national authorities at their request.

Who Needs a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA)?

Article 1.8.3.1 of ADR 2023 states the following regarding the requirement for a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor:

“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.”

However, there are many exceptions, chemicals, and circumstances for which a DGSA is not required, for example “Limited Quantity” shipments or movements undertaken under the “Small Load Exemption” and some "Special Provisions" may also provide a derogation.

Dangerous Goods Services Ltd can verify whether a DGSA is a statutory requirement for your business.

What are the other duties of a DGSA

the procedures for compliance with the requirements governing the identification of dangerous goods being transported

investigating and, where appropriate, preparing reports on serious accidents, incidents or serious infringements recorded during the carriage, packing, filling, loading or unloading of dangerous goods

the procedures for checking the equipment used in connection with the carriage, packing, filling, loading or unloading of dangerous goods

the undertaking's practice in taking account, when purchasing means of transport, of any special requirements in connection with the dangerous goods being transported

the implementation of proper emergency procedures in the event of any accident or incident that may affect safety during the carriage, packing, filling, loading or unloading of dangerous goods

the proper training of the undertaking’s employees, including on the changes to the regulations, and the maintenance of records of such training

the implementation of appropriate measures to avoid the recurrence of accidents, incidents or serious infringements

the account taken of the legal prescriptions and special requirements associated with the carriage of dangerous goods in the choice and use of sub-contractors or third parties

the existence of the security plan indicated in ADR Article 1.10.3.2.

verification that employees involved in the consigning, carriage, packing, filling, loading or unloading of dangerous goods have detailed operational procedures and instructions

the introduction of measures to increase awareness of the risks inherent in the carriage, packing, filling, loading and unloading of dangerous goods

the implementation of verification procedures to ensure the presence on board the means of transport of the documents and safety equipment which must accompany transport and the compliance of such documents and equipment with the regulations

the implementation of verification procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements governing packing, filling, loading and unloading

Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser - training

To undertake these tasks all Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSAs) are required to complete extensive training, and to pass 3 formal, intensive, examinations, after which a vocational certificate is issued on behalf of The Department for Transport. ADR Articles 1.8.3.7 to 1.8.3.19

This is valid for 5 years before the examinations must be retaken; additional training must be undertaken to advise on maritime shipments of dangerous goods.

It is also to be remembered that ADR itself is updated every other year, with amendment's made as necessary following real life incidents or adaptions to technical developments.