ADR-Carriage of dangerous goods

Substances and materials which are dangerous for transport range from those which present obvious risks, such as explosives and fuming acids, through to more frequently encountered products such as paints, solvents and pesticides.

The transport of dangerous goods is regulated in order to prevent, as far as possible, accidents involving people or property, damage to the environment, to the means of transport employed or to other goods being transported.  Each mode of transport, (air, sea, road, rail and inland waterway) has its own regulations but they are now largely harmonized with the Model Regulations, published by United Nations Economic and Social Council’s Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

The UN Model Regulations use a classification system in which each dangerous substance or article is assigned to a CLASS, depending on the nature of the danger it presents. There are 9 Classes, some of which are sub-divided:

ADR Transport document

The transport document should be clearly marked as per ADR 5.4.1.1.1 and the driver should check this for accuracy and compare it to the load. Typically, this document will be a modified delivery note with the addition of the dangerous goods information.

ADR 5.4.1.1.1 states that the transport document shall include:

• The UN number preceded by the letters “UN”
• The proper shipping name (PSN) supplemented, where necessary, with the relevant technical name inserted in brackets (also covered by ADR 3.1.2.8.1)
• The Class and/or division of goods, this may be followed by the Class name (and sub-risk if necessary)
• The packing group
• The number and description of packages
• The total quantity of dangerous goods by volume or mass
• The consignor and consignee address
• Special agreement declaration if necessary
• The tunnel code.

Vehicle and driver equipment

For carrying fully regulated goods under ADR, the minimum vehicle and driver equipment shall include the following:

Vehicle:

• The transport document (ADR 5.4.1) — detailed as above
• IiW (ADR 8.1.2.1 (b)
• Driver: means of identification (ADR 8.1.2.1 (d)). An ADR card is ideal.
• 1 x wheel chock per transport unit with bracket and another for fitting a holder on the chassis (ADR 8.1.5.2)
• Two self-standing warning signs, triangle warning type
• Placarding of vehicle (ADR 8.1.3): fully regulated — orange plates on the front and rear of the vehicle (ADR 5.3.1 and 5.3.2) for two folding placards for fitting. Under the threshold — no placarding except LQ loads over 8000kg gross mass (ADR 3.4.13 and 3.4.14) which shall be marked with LQ placard as per ADR 3.4.15.
• A total of 12kg of extinguishers for vehicles of 7500kg (ADR 8.1.4.1), preferably powder (ADR 8.1.4.3) with the next service date visible and seal intact. The internal cab extinguisher shall be a minimum of 2kg with the remaining situated externally. Extinguishers shall be secured to the vehicle and easily accessible (ADR 8.1.4.5)
• Eye rinsing liquid (ADR 8.1.5.2). Must be in date with preferably a year’s life left kept in kit ADR kit bag.
• First-aid kit (basic). All items must be in date with the earliest date declared on the checklist and kept in ADR bag.

Driver’s equipment:

• High-visibility warning vest (ADR 8.1.5.2)
• Portable lighting apparatus (ADR 8.1.5.2 and 8.3.4) (kept in ADR kit bag) with spare batteries (keep a note of battery expiry dates)
• Pair of protective gloves (ADR 8.1.5.2) (kept in ADR kit bag)
• Eye protection (kept in ADR kit bag) (ADR 8.1.5.2 .