What Are Dangerous Goods?

As you might expect there is no absolute definition as to what constitutes a dangerous substance. In a
school laboratory science teachers are required to have a broad understanding of a set of regulations
known as The Containment Of Substances Hazardous to Health, or COSHH for short. In the transport of
dangerous goods a similar level of awareness is probably a good idea for the employee responsible for the
load. The onus is on the industry to collectively operate with the safety of its employees and the wider
public at the heart of its core business.
The term dangerous goods covers everything from infectious biological agents, to flammable organic
compounds, to explosives, to corrosive substances and everything in between and back again, twice!
Clearly there are very strict regulations concerning how such goods should be transported. The sender of
the goods is responsible for organising the transport of the goods in question. This means the specific rules
pertaining to the substances in question and the mode of transport by which it is going to be moved must
be followed to the letter.
Packaging and Labelling Dangerous Goods
Consigners are responsible for training their employees in the handling, packaging and labelling of any
substance which falls under the remit of the term dangerous. Many transport companies have specially
trained employees called dangerous goods safety advisors (DGSAs), in many countries this is a legal
requirement. These advisors are qualified to ensure that the goods in question meet the legal
requirements for their transportation, whether this is by road, rail, ship or by air craft. The global haulage
industry has a database of organisations that run dangerous goods training programs. Individual
companies are strongly advised to obtain accreditation from a reputable organisation.
Transport by Aircraft:
The Air Transport Association (ATA) is an international body which
agrees the regulations for transporting dangerous goods. Cargo is
regularly inspected and the penalties are severe if the inspection is
failed and even more so if any kind of accident (fatal or otherwise)
can be traced to the transport of dangerous goods which were not
declared as such. Again specific advice from a DGSA is required
whether you are using one aircraft or 500. The responsibility is
yours and no-one elses.
Transport by Road:
In the European Union the body responsible for enforcing
regulations is the European Agreement on the Carriage of
dangerous or ADR for short. As with the ATA it sets out the rules
and certification required which are enforced with everything from
regular spot checks to full company audits. Once again penalties
can be severe ranging from unlimited fines to long term custodial
sentences for infringement of the rules.



Transport by Sea:
The rules for maritime transport are covered by guidance covered
in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDG for
short. Regulations for the transport of fuels and other bulk goods
are covered by a myriad of maritime and coast guard agencies who
have specialist knowledge in this area. The transport of nuclear and
radioactive material is covered by the appropriate nuclear
regulatory authority. Again prosecutions for infringement can be
very severe.
Transport by Rail:
This is much more country specific but overall the enforcement
regime is covered by national bodies which oversea national
regulations. A key piece of legislation in the EU is the convention
covering international carriage by rail. The carriage of dangerous
goods regulations gives the authority to refuse entry of goods
which do not meet the guidelines for a particular country. .
In conclusion the transport of dangerous goods by all modes of
transport is subject to stringent international regulation for which
the consigner will be held accountable for non-compliance.