These are the three things you should do to ensure the safe road transportation of dangerous goods.

‍3 crucial steps for ensuring the safe road transportation of dangerous goods 

It should go without saying that the very greatest care must be applied to the task of transporting dangerous goods, which can encompass the likes of flammable gases, infectious substances, and radioactive material. 

But what are some of the processes that you will need to undergo to ensure the very greatest safety when moving such sensitive items from one location to another by road? 

Below, we have outlined three of those essential measures. 

Appropriately classifying the dangerous goods 

Any dangerous goods that you are seeking to transport will need to be marked with their name, description, and United Nations (UN) number, in accordance with the ADR Europe-wide code on dangerous goods. 

You can see the nine classes set out on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. So, if you are looking to transport explosives, these would come under UN Class 1, whereas gases would be UN Class 2, flammable liquids would be Class 3, and so on. 

It should be noted that there are certain goods that are prohibited from being transported by road – for example, UN Class 3 goods that are likely to produce peroxides. 

Packaging the goods in a compliant manner 

It is crucial to arrange for a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser to check that your goods have been safely handled and packaged. 

The goods will need to be packed well enough to withstand the disruption and movement that typically comes with the process of transporting goods. The export packaging will also need to be clearly marked with the UN classification number in line with the requirements we stated above, and the safety labels must be appropriate to the given class of goods. You must also check that the carrier’s vehicles clearly indicate that dangerous goods are being transported. 

It can be easy for those coordinating the movement of dangerous goods by road to overlook the requirements for the relevant road transport documentation. 

You need to be aware, for example, of the legal obligation the shipper has to make a declaration of the danger or hazard of the goods being transported. In the case of road transit, they can comply with this requirement by filling in a Dangerous Goods Note (DGN). 

However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a DGN that is used; it is permissible for the shipper to design, prepare, and present an “in-house” or bespoke document, as long as it contains the mandatory information. 

Putting in place the right security arrangements 

Any business that is involved in the transportation of dangerous goods is obliged to comply with security regulations. These rules set out a requirement for businesses to only offer the goods to appropriate carriers, in addition to ensuring the security of any sites that will be used for the temporary storage of dangerous goods. 

There must also be a security awareness training programme in place, as well as a security plan – the latter requirement applicable to businesses involved with the transportation of high-consequence dangerous goods. 

Do you have specialised needs in relation to freight by road or the associated road transport documentation, that you would appreciate advice and help with? If so, please feel free to contact our team at KTL UK, and we will swiftly get back in touch with you.