Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor

The TDGSA Regulations implement the European Council Directive 96/35/EC. This creates a requirement for companies who consign or transport dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterways, above the threshold quantities, to appoint a suitably qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) before 31st December 1999.

Responsibilities of the Company

1. Appoint one or more suitably qualified DGSA.

2. Ensure that the DGSA has appropriate knowledge concerning the company’s activities and adequate resources to perform their duties.

3. On request inform the authorities of the identity of the advisor.

Duties of the DGSA

1. Monitor compliance with the rules governing the transport of dangerous goods.

2. Provide advice to the employer on the transport of dangerous goods.

3. Prepare accident reports to the management of the company and/or the local public authority when an accident occurs during the transport or handling of dangerous goods.

4. Prepare an annual report to the management on the activities of the company concerning the transport of dangerous goods.

Qualifying to be a DGSA
The DGSA must hold a vocational training certificate valid for the mode of transport and the hazard classes involved.

To obtain this you must pass at least 3 examinations:

Core - Compulsory to all candidates and one mode paper for either Road, Rail or Inland Waterways
and one of the class papers, All Classes(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), General Chemical (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9), Class 1 Explosives, Class 3 Flammable Liquids (specific to UN 1202, 1203, 1223).

These examinations involve the candidate being able to demonstrate a significant knowledge of the relevant legislation in an open book written examination. It should be noted that the examinations are of a considerably higher standard than the current ADR or CPC examinations. The current pass rate is low.

The DGSA must pass refresher examinations every 5 years.

Training
The training regime for the DGSA exams is unregulated unlike the current ADR regime, therefore there is no requirement to attend a training course. In order to be well prepared for the exams training is highly desirable. Courses are available, ranging from 5 to 10 days in duration, from various providers, however there are no legislative quality controls over these courses and therefore their content may vary.

What Will it Cost to Have a DGSA?
Examination fees for 3 exams currently £170.
Set of Permitted Examination Materials, typically £140.
Training Course between £700 and £2500.

AND

Wages for attending training course.
Wages and time in performing the duties of the DGSA.
Refresher training and examinations every 5 years.

AND

There is the possibility of failing the exam or the DGSA leaving the company.

The Alternative
You can nominate one of Van Hee’s team of experts as your DGSA.

The Advantages:

1. Ongoing access to a DGSA.

2. No problems with holidays, sicknesses or staff turnover.

3. No need to pass the exams.

4. No necessity to buy and update the reference books.

5. Set costs spread over the years.

6. Additional payments on usage basis.

7. Access to Van Hee’s existing range of training provision.

The costs:

Initial visit/Annual Cost and Action Plan construction £385.00
Production of Annual Report £40.00
Additional Days Consultancy/Additional Site Visits £310.00
Incident/Accident Reporting (Desktop) £35.00 + £20/hr
Incident Accident Reporting (Site Visit) £310.00
Additional Fax/E Mail Advice £35.00 + £20/hr
Mileage Charges (per mile) £0.44

All charges would be payable by direct debit.

Therefore you could have your DGSA in place for as little as £425 per year.