Council Directives 2008/68/EC and 2000/18/EC – requires Member States to implement legislation to ensure that certain undertakings which transport dangerous goods by road, rail and inland waterway, including the transport related activities of loading and unloading, appoint dangerous goods safety advisers (DGSAs).

DGSAs need to have obtained a vocational training certificate (VTC), after undergoing training and successfully completing a written examination approved by the Competent Authority of a Member State. VTCs are mutually recognised in all EU Member States and in any non-EU States which are signatories to RID or ADR.

Undertakings have been required to appoint safety advisers since 1 January 2000. The current GB legislation containing this requirement is The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009).

Separate but similar legislation has been made in NI, and the DfT-approved examination and certificate-issuing regime applies throughout the United Kingdom.

DGSA training

Safety advisers do not have to undergo a formal course of training approved by the Department, and no list of recommended DGSA training providers is kept. The form and type of training undertaken is a matter for the individual candidate and the employer to decide, based on the candidate’s knowledge and experience.

Potential candidates, and their employers and managers, should give careful consideration to training needs, and consult with their trade association if necessary after studying the published examination syllabus. Nearly all candidates will require some form of training if only in the area of examination technique.

DGSA examinations

The DfT has appointed the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) as its Agent The SQA undertakes detailed duties relating to the setting, marking, and organising of examinations, issuing the appropriate vocational training certificates as well as providing educational advice to the Department.

The approved examinations are held in various locations throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

For information on dates and venues of the future examinations apply direct to the Scottish Qualifications Authority

Vocational Training Certificates (VTCs)

A VTC is issued to successful candidates by the SQA, on behalf of the DfT. It will relate to one or more specific modes of transport – road, rail or inland waterway – covering the classes of dangerous goods. DfT has laid down the minimum requirements for examinations. This includes rules on the format and type of examination, including the approved examination being set on modular principles with regard to certain classes of dangerous goods or discreet industry sectors and the issue of a vocational certificate based on such an examination.

During the final year of a Certificate’s validity, DGSAs may undertake refresher training and successfully complete a further approved examination, to confirm their knowledge. A VTC is valid throughout the Member States of the European Community, for 5 years from either the date of issue, or from the date of successful completion of a refresher course.

VTC’s are only issued or revalidated after successful completion of the approved examination – and not in relation to previous knowledge or experience in the field of the transport of dangerous goods.

DGSA examination syllabus

Information on the examination syllabus, location and dates of the examinations, costs and general advice for candidates and training providers is available from the SQA:

Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow
G2 8DQ
Tel: 0845 213 5266
mail@sqa.org.uk
SQA website