ROAD SURFACE DRESSING ASSOCIATION

 
GUIDANCE ON THE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY ROAD (ADR)

 

 

 

Introduction

 

The transport of dangerous goods in the United Kingdom is controlled by the CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS & USE OF TRANSPORTABLE PRESURE EQUIPEMENT REGULATIONS 2004 (CDG TPE). These British ADR aligned regulations cover domestic road and rail transportation. ADR is the European Agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods and under the terms of the EU Framework Directive on ADR harmonization, member states are required to align their national regulations on dangerous goods transport by road, with the provisions of ADR.

 

Carriage of Dangerous Goods

 

Surface dressing can involve the carriage of goods or mixtures of goods, which fall within the Regulations (CDG TPE), and affected members are required by the Regulations to appoint a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA). This may either be a member of staff with the requisite qualifications or an external “consultant” maybe used. It should be noted that unless cutback bitumen is being used most members would not be affected by these regulations but care must be taken when servicing sites with mixed loads of gas oil and gas (see below).

 

If appointing a consultant DGSA, care should be taken to insure that they understand the specialist nature of the surface dressing business and have the resources to implement a planned program of site visits to audit operations and make recommendations. The Consultant appointed must have adequate professional indemnity insurance and be readily contactable. 

 

DGSA QUALIFICATIONS

 

The Scottish Qualification Authority currently administers the DGSA examination system. Further information can be found at www.sqa.org/dgsa  or from the Freight Transport Association tel. 01892 552222 or email: info@fta.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

WHEN DOES CDG TPE (ADR) APPLY?

 

There are a number of factors to consider when determining which operations fall within the scope of ‘The Transportation of Dangerous Goods’.  These are Limited Quantities and Mixed loads. Your DGSA will advise on what Transport Category applies.

 

 

Limited Quantities

 

The amount of dangerous goods being carried does not exceed the values indicated.

 

Transport Category
Maximum Total Quantities Ltr or Kg

 

0

(Extremely Dangerous)

0

1

(Very Dangerous)

20

2

(Medium Danger)

333

3

(Low Danger)

1000

4

(Very Low Danger)
Unlimited

 

 

The Transport Category (TC) is based on the United National (UN) hazard classes as follows:

 

TC 0 or 1                UN Class 1                        Explosives

TC 2                       UN Class 2                        Gases

TC 3                       UN Class 3                        Flammable liquids

TC 4                       UN Class 4                        Other flammables

 

Some of the UN Classes are further divided and in determining the TC applicable the DGSA should be consulted.                  

 

 

 

 

 

Mixed Loads

 

If you are transporting a mixed load of Dangerous Goods then the following calculation shall be used to determine if the regulations apply.

 

Substance / Article

Transport Category

Multiplier
Total

1
Quantity x 50 =

 
X

2
Quantity x 3 =

 
Y

3
Quantity x 1 =

 
Z

 

 

Shall not exceed 1000

 

For mixed loads of different transport categories apply the table above.  If the sum of x, y & z exceeds 1,000 then the regulations will apply.

 

 

Exemptions in relation to the transport operation

 

The provisions laid down in ADR do not apply to the carriage of machinery or equipment which happens to contain dangerous goods in their internal or operational equipment, provided that measures have been taken to prevent any leakage of contents in normal conditions of carriage (ADR vol1 marginal 1.1.3.1).

 

Complying with the regulations

 

If you exceed the relevant load sizes and you are not using the dangerous goods as part of the machines operation then you will fall within the scope of the regulations and the following must be in place:

 

·           Full driver ADR training

 

Drivers must attend a course approved by the Department for Transport and pass a written exam (further information s available from the FTA at www.fta.co.uk/services/dangerousgoods/training/index.htm).  The driver must have proof of his ADR qualification with him at all times when transporting dangerous goods.

 

 

 

 

 

·           Transport document and emergency instructions in writing

 

 

The consignor must provide the following information on a Transport Document. The driver must keep this information in the cab at all times:

 

a)                             UN Number

b)                             Proper shipment name

c)                             Class and division and any subsidiary hazards

d)                             Packing group

e)                             Number and description of the packaging

f)                               Total quantity

g)                             Name and address of consignor and consignee(s)

 

The consignor must also supply the following emergency instructions in writing (Tremcards) – Tremcards can be purchased from the FTA tel 0870 099 0098

 

a)                             Load (Name, Class and UN number)

b)                             Nature of danger

c)                             Personal protection

d)                             General actions to be taken by the driver

e)                             Additional or special action to be taken by driver

f)                               Fire

g)                             First aid

h)                             Additional information

 

 

·                     Fire-fighting equipment

 

Every vehicle transporting dangerous goods shall have at least one portable 2kg dry powder extinguisher mounted in the cab suitable for extinguishing class A, B & C Fires.

 

 

·                     Additional equipment maybe required

 

Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes shall have a minimum total capacity of 12 kg dry   powder of which at least one extinguisher shall have a minimum capacity of 6 kg.

 

For vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes but below 7.5 tonnes shall carry a minimum   total capacity of 8 kg dry powder of which at least one extinguisher shall have a    minimum capacity of 6 kg.

 

For vehicles up to and including 3.5 tonnes a minimum total capacity of 4 kg shall be carried.

 

 

·                Miscellaneous Equipment

 

Every transport vehicle carrying dangerous goods shall be equipped with the following general purpose safety equipment:

 

o               At least one chock suitable for the weight of the vehicle

o               Two self standing cones or warning triangles

o               Pocket lamps for each member of the vehicle crew

o               PPE as determined by the relevant risk assessment

 

 

 

·                Placarding of Vehicles

 

All vehicles include must display an orange panel to the front (this does not include trailers detached from motor vehicles).

 

Vehicles carrying packaged dangerous goods must also display an orange panel to the rear (figure 1).

 

Figure 1  -  Orange Plate

 

·                    ADR 5.3.2

·                    CDG TPE – Regulation 55 & Schedule 9

 

Specification

 

·                    400base x 300high with 15mm black border
 
Figure 1

Tank (tankers and tank containers) must show:

 

Ø       Orange panel to the rear and to each side showing the UN number of the goods and appropriate emergency action code

Ø       An emergency telephone number adjacent to each panel (figure 2)

 

 

Figure 2  - Hazard Warning Panel  

 

·                     ADR 5.3.2

·                     CDG TPE – Regulation 55 & Schedule 9

 

 

Specification

 

·                     As diagram

·                     Includes detail relating to Emergency Action Code, Substance UN No, Telephone number for specialist advice and hazard warning diamond.
 
Figure 2

 


 

 

Recent Changes to Dangerous goods Regulations

 

Diesel / gas oil / heating oil.

 

Due to the raising of flash point levels Diesel is now classed as a class 3 flammable liquid dangerous good.  It is still possible to carry diesel as a limited quantity.

 

Tanks and Bowsers.

 

Bowsers will become classed as tanks under UK regulations to allow them to fall in line with ADR requirements.  However Bowsers manufactured before 10 May 2004 will be exempt from the requirements of tank testing under ADR until 2019. 

 

New Bowsers will need to comply UNLESS they are demountable form the bed of the trailer (i.e. bolted on) and have capacity less than 3,000 liters. These are classified as intermediate bulk containers rather than dangerous goods tanks and are subject to less rigorous tests.

 

Fitters / Mechanics.

 

If a fitter / mechanic as part of the service of a vehicle is required to take the vehicle on the highway for testing etc and the vehicle is used for transporting dangerous goods the driver will need to hold the appropriate ADR certification.