Dangerous goods classes

Dangerous goods are separated into different classes which affect how you must package and transport them. If you’re only shipping limited quantities the rules are not as strict. Class Type of material 1 Explosive substances and articles 2.1 Flammable gas (for example butane) 2.2 Non-flammable and non-toxic gases which could cause asphyxiation (for example nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide) or oxidisers (for example oxygen) 2.3 Toxic gases (for example chlorine, phosgene) 3 Flammable liquids (for example lighter fluid, petrol) 4.1 Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitised explosives 4.2 Substances liable to spontaneous combustion 4.3 Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases 5.1 Oxidising substances 5.2 Organic peroxides 6.1 Toxic substances 6.2 Infectious substances 7 Radioactive material 8 Corrosive substances 9 Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles The consignor or sender is responsible for classifying, packaging and marking any dangerous goods to be transported. Clinical waste You must be registered as a waste carrier to carry clinical waste, for example from a hospital or veterinary surgery. The Health and Safety Executive website has details of packaging and labelling of containers for clinical waste.

The Vehicle Certification Agency ( VCA ) is the UK certification authority for dangerous goods packaging and some bulk containers. Before you order any packaging make sure that the supplier sends you: a copy of the certificate information (‘datasheets’) on how to use the packaging properly any test reports for the selected packaging Find details for packaging suppliers at the VCA website. Contact the VCA if you need advice on dangerous goods packaging. VCA dangerous goods office 01372 226 110 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Find out about call charges

Rules for different types of transport

There are different rules for transporting dangerous goods by air, road or sea. By air The internationally agreed rules for transporting dangerous goods by air are covered by the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) International Dangerous Goods Regulations. You can be given an unlimited fine, sentenced to 2 years in prison or both if your cargo fails an inspection or causes a safety incident. Anyone packing dangerous goods for air transport must be specially trained. You and your staff must have dangerous goods training if you’re using your own aircraft to transport the goods. Download ‘List of CAA approved dangerous goods training organisations’ (PDF, 205KB) By road The internationally agreed rules for transporting dangerous goods by road are covered by ‘ ADR ’. There’s a range of fixed penalty fines if your cargo fails a spot check. By sea You need to complete a dangerous goods notification for any dangerous goods you want to send by sea. The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency provide guidance on transporting dangerous goods by sea. You can be fined for breaking the regulations on transporting dangerous goods. You can be prosecuted and face a large fine and a prison sentence for serious breaches, for example transporting animal by-products in an unsafe way.

Transporting limited quantities

You do not need to follow all the normal packaging and labelling regulations, and you do not need a dangerous goods safety adviser if you’re transporting ‘limited quantities’ of some dangerous goods. Packing limited quantities Goods shipped in limited quantities must be carried in small containers (for example bottles), which are then packed in boxes or on shrink-wrapped trays. The maximum weight is 30kg for boxes, or 20kg for shrink-wrapped trays. The maximum weight for the individual containers depends on the type of goods. These limits are listed in column 7a of the ‘Dangerous goods list’ in part 3 of ‘ ADR ’ . For certain goods, the limit in column 7a of Table A is zero. These goods cannot be shipped as limited quantities. Marking requirements The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website has more information on limited quantities, including details of the markings you need to put on packaging.

Enforcing and reporting

You must follow regulations for transporting dangerous goods safely and securely. There are different authorities responsible for inspecting and making sure the rules are followed depending on how the goods are transported. You should contact the relevant authority if you need to report an incident or someone breaking the regulations. Who to contact For goods transported by air: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) For goods transported by rail: Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) For goods transported by road: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (operational strategy and enforcement) DVSA (enforcement and compliance) Environment Agency (hazardous waste) Police Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA ) (‘special waste’) For goods transported by sea: Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) The transport of all radioactive materials (class 7) is regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation

Shipping dangerous goods

Q: Overview

If you want to transport dangerous goods , there are rules on how to pack and label them and the training your staff must have. You may also need to have a dangerous goods safety adviser ( DGSA ) . Packaging and labelling Dangerous goods must be packaged and labelled appropriately. If you have a DGSA they will tell you about the requirements.

Q: Dangerous goods safety adviser

You must have a dangerous goods safety adviser ( DGSA ) if you transport dangerous goods unless: you only do it occasionally, for example breakdown recovery vehicles you’re only receiving the dangerous goods (you’re the ‘consignee’) they’re in ‘ limited quantities ’ you’re moving them a very short distance by road, for example between buildings on an industrial estate you’re using private vehicles Read guidance on DGSA training . See the ‘European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road ( ADR )’ for more information on DGSAs. You should employ a DGSA if you’re transporting goods internationally. Appointing a dangerous goods safety adviser You can either get a member of staff trained as a dangerous goods safety adviser or find an adviser to help you . Contact the Department for Transport by email for advice on appointing a DGSA . Department for Transport dangerousgoods@dft.gov.uk

Overview

If you want to transport dangerous goods, there are rules on how to pack and label them and the training your staff must have.

You may also need to have a dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA).

Packaging and labelling

Dangerous goods must be packaged and labelled appropriately. If you have a DGSA they will tell you about the requirements.

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Shipping dangerous goods

Overview

Packaging and labelling

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Shipping dangerous goods

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