General training requirements

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 [Section 2(2)(c)] contains general training requirements applying to everyone at work, while the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009) bring training requirements for domestic transport of dangerous goods by road and rail into line with the requirements for international transport to be found in ADR (1.3, 1.10.2, 8.2.3) and RID (1.3).

ADR requires employers to ensure that any of their employees involved with the carriage of dangerous goods receive training appropriate to their responsibilities and duties. This training must include elements of security awareness. Employees can only carry out work for which required training has not yet been provided under the direct supervision of a trained person.

The employer must keep a record of training, and this training must be verified when the employee starts a new job. The employee must undertake refresher training periodically to take account of changes in legislation etc.

Also, the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 contain (Regulation 17) a requirement that employers should provide employees with information, instruction and training necessary to ensure their own health and safety and the health and safety of others. Records of the training should be kept by the employer and made available to the employee.

Dangerous Goods Training Advisory Panel

The Dangerous Goods Division recognise the existence of a Dangerous Goods Training Advisory Panel (TAP). The panel is open to experts nominated by the UK industry trade associations, other independent UK experts, training providers, and officials from the Department, its agencies, and other interested parties. Other Government Department officials may attend as necessary.

The role of TAP is to advise Dangerous Goods Division on future training requirements and developments, in particular the dangerous goods driver training and safety advisor requirements, including the syllabuses for the training and examination requirements for obtaining vocational training certificates.

The members of TAP elect the Chairman and Secretary. The posts are currently held by Robert Thomas and Les Richings respectively.

Further information on the work of the TAP such as the dates of future meetings and/or copies of recent meeting papers may be obtained by contacting dangerousgoods@dft.gsi.gov.uk.