Truck and Track Summer 2021

Truck and Track Summer 2021 www.truckandtrack.com 50 DANGEROUS GOODS The British Association of Dangerous Goods Professionals (BADGP) represents and supports anyone whose role involves the transport of dangerous goods. Since it was founded in 2010, Labeline has provided support and sponsorship to the association. I was pleased to have the opportunity to interview the current BADGP Chair, Mark Spence, the immediate past-Chair, Caroline Raine, and the founding Chair Andy Holton, about their experiences, the evolution of BADGP and the services that it offers to both its members and the wider dangerous goods (DG) community. I started by asking Caroline and Andy, whowere both involved in the setting up of BADGP: Whose ideawas it to set up an association, what was the thinking that led to BADGP being established? AH: After the requirement to have a DGSA became law, it emerged that the lack of a professional association to support DGSAs was a problem. Therewere plenty of commercial courses available, but no national network of like-minded people working with dangerous goods. In 2009, several people, of whom Desmond Waight was prominent, proposed the formation of some kind of support group. The Department for Transport was approached but they declined, for reasons of resource, to take the lead. However, Jeff Hart of the DfT was strongly in favour of the idea, and committed them to give support by providing speakers at events and advice on legislation, etc. Broadly, they have kept their word. Desmond and others called a meeting in Meriden in mid-2010 for all interested parties, without commitment, to scope out the possibilities. About 70 people came, and they set a date and place – July 26th at NCEC – where anyone who wished could form a committee to set up a new organisation. Just 12 people came to NCEC, but it was enough. All of them stood for committee; Caroline and I were the only two of the 12 still in place by the AGM of 2021. CR: Andy has covered it all off quite nicely. Desmond got us all together, and whilst he did not join the committee at the start, once we were well and truly established, he became a part of the committee. RS: It seems that Desmond was instrumental in kick-starting several safety-driven initiatives to assist with the supply and movement of dangerous goods. Desmond, who died in 2016, had been a customer of Labeline for many years, going back to his time at 3M. Knowing that Labeline had a large customer base in the DG industry, he asked our MD, Keith Kingham, if we would support the inaugural AGM – Labeline has sponsored BADGP events ever since. Do you have any specific memories of howhe helped you personally? AH: Desmond was a great initiator. He was themain driver behind the formation of Chemical Hazards Communication Society (CHCS), and he supported the new dangerous goods association, though not wanting to be on its committee. He gave me wholehearted backing, for the role of chairman, of what would become BADGP at that 26th July meeting. CR: Where do I start! Desmond was the kindest man I met at all of the dangerous goodsmeetings. Hewas firm, but very fair. And would do anything to help. Desmond really invested in me as I was starting out – showingmewhere to find things, givingme opportunities. Hewas a dear friend who I miss greatly, but I have such fond memories, Desmond is one of the key reasons why I give back to industry, I am passing it on. MS: In one sense, Desmond was the main reason that I became involved in BADGP. Desmond helped bring LQ [Limited Quantity Exemptions] into ADR and that became my ‘specialist subject’ leading to Trevor Green (current Vice Chair) suggesting I join the association in 2013 - and then recommending that I join the committee. I worked with Desmond to deliver BADGP’s LQ Seminar in 2014 and he was incredibly supportive and very generous with his time whenever I had a question. He was held in high esteem by his peers, and this is reflected by the 1st speaker at each AGM Industry Day giving the Desmond Waight Memorial Lecture. RS: From these beginnings, BADGP has grown considerably. What were the original objectives? What were the main challenges in those early years and how have they been overcome? AH: Each of the three chairs of BADGP hasmanaged a distinct phase of development. I started with 11 volunteers, and a blank piece of paper! The main challenges were that we had no name or logo, no bank account, no remit, no plan, no constitution – just willpower. My personal challenge was to harness that willpower and galvanise the team to make a fully-functioning organisation where none had existed. In short, the original objectives were, and still are, to support professional people who work in dangerous goods, to improve industry safety generally, and to uphold compliance. We also set further criteria for BADGP: ■ We would support all modes of transport ■ We would accept members from any country ■ Our Q&A forumwould be open to all Our initial target was to make our name by doing something unique for the industry, so we set up the first AGM/industry day, in March 2011 in Cannock. We gambled on the format of a short AGM followed by a full day’s seminar featuring six speakers, including the police, CAA and HSE. It was a clear success, and we have used that model for the AGM day ever since. Labeline’s Compliance Manager Richard Shreeve BADGP is THE Association for Dangerous Goods Professionals Richard Shreeve, Compliance Manager at Labeline International and BADGP member, interviews the association’s current and former Chairs Andy Holton Caroline Raine DesmondWaight,