Truck and Track Spring 2026 www.truckandtrack.com 56 DANGEROUS GOODS NCEC at The RSC As the world becomes digitised, the requirement for documentation both in paper (as well as digital) remains critical when managing the Logistics of Dangerous Goods, from Manufacture, QA, Storage and onward Transportation. There are risks that both non-hazardous goods and dangerous goods pose, however when it comes to hazardous material, documentation requirements are more acute in terms of the veracity in managing the risks. The main areas of documentation in the Dangerous Goods Supply Chain If storing/securing the documents electronically (or online) such as Risk Assessments, Safety Data Sheets etc, then backup must be factored in case the PC, Handheld device, Internet connection malfunctions. Acceptable back-up media Digital or Hard Copy must be available (and accessible) for inspection by authorised personnel requesting to see the document(s), e.g. an Operator, Auditor, Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) or an Emergency Responder, etc. For those bewildered by the documentation requirements concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (ADR), the IMDG Code for Sea Journeys and ICAO/IATA for AIR – should get their Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor to contact Richard Shreeve of Labeline (his contact details are provided at the end of this article). Before consigning the dangerous goods to a transport unit - the first key documents are the risk assessment and method statements (RAMS) which examines the hazards posed in the process (e.g. Loading/Unloading Operations, Fire Prevention, Security, First Aid etc); and then management of the associated risks from the activity. Countermeasures such as personal protective equipment, training requirements etc. need to assessed and in place to manage the risks. When working with dangerous goods you must formally document the risks, in a written and periodically reviewed assessment. This must be written and approved by competent persons. When it comes to critical processes, then change control must also be documented. From this comes what we term the Safe System of Work (SSoW), for documenting the activities required e.g. unloading a container, or loading a railcar etc. If warehousing the product, or if involved in analysis, quality assurance or managing a release of product (in terms of Chemistry), then a Safety Data Sheet is required to be kept onhand and accessible to those who may need to reference it (examples being Operators, Auditors, Regulators and Enforcers), as well as for the use by Emergency Responders, should there be an incident with the product. Anyone involved in the manufacture or logistics of Dangerous Goods must have a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA), who will produce a documented annual report which must be retained by the organisation, detailing the last twelve month’s (to five years) activities, record volumes per Kemmler Class, dangerous occurrences and any issues raised by the organisation in terms of QHSE matters. Documented training records are essential, such as Fork Lift Certification, ADR certification for drivers, ADR Awareness, Induction, First Aid, Manual Handling and many other areas of activity (referenced in the RAMS) – and of course training records like risk assessments must be periodically inspected and updated as per policy, by statute or by the organisation’s internal protocol. Insurance is another matter that needs documentation, from display of the Employers Liability Statements, but also Material Handling Equipment monitoring by an approved Insurance assessor. Drivers carrying Dangerous Goods by road need to be trained and hold valid ADR Certification, as well as carrying the 4-page document termed ‘Instructions in Writing’, more commonly referred to by the trivial name “Tremcard”. Commercial vehicles must have documented service and Documentation Requirements in the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Ali Karim Ali Karim NCEC Control Room In this issue, our Dangerous Goods Columnist, Ali Karim BSc FRSC CChem takes a detailed look into Documentation requirements to ensure Regulatory Compliance in the Carriage of Dangerous Goods, be it Road, Rail, Sea or Air TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE1MTA=