Dangerous Goods Directive
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (the 2009 Regulations) came into force on 1 July 2009. The Regulations regulate the carriage of dangerous goods by road and rail in the UK.
The Dangerous Goods Directive applies various Annexes to the European Agreements concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) and the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterway (ADN).
Why change?
The 2009 Regulations have been drafted in such a way as to break the two-yearly cycle of domestic transposition of the Directive, providing it is no longer necessary to make new or amending Regulations every two years. This will create greater certainty for those who use the Regulations.
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What equipment must be carried on a vehicle carrying dangerous goods?
Equipment requirements for vehicles carrying dangerous goods can be found in Chapter 8.1 of the 2007 ADR and from January 2009, in the 2009 ADR. The full text of the ADR annexes can be found at: www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/adr/adr2007/07ContentsE.html
Outlined below is a list of the 2009 ADR equipment requirements.
2009 ADR Miscellaneous Equipment
Each transport unit carrying dangerous goods shall be provided with items of equipment for general and personal protection. The items of equipment shall be selected in accordance with the danger label number of the goods loaded. The label numbers can be identified through the transport document.
The following equipment shall be carried on board the transport unit for all danger label numbers:
For each vehicle:
- A wheel chock of a size suited to the maximum mass of the vehicle and to the diameter of the wheel
- Two self-standing warning signs
- Eye rinsing liquid*
For each member of the vehicle crew:
- A warning vest (e.g. as described in the EN 471 standard)
- Portable lighting apparatus conforming to the provisions of 8.3.4
- A pair of protective gloves
- Eye protection (e.g. protective goggles)
Additional equipment required for certain classes:
- An emergency escape mask** for each member of the vehicle crew shall be carried on board the vehicle for danger label numbers 2.3 or 6.1
- A shovel***
- A drain seal***
- A collecting container made of plastics***
* Not required for danger label numbers
1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3.
** For example an emergency escape mask with a combined gas/dust filter of the A1B1E1K1-P1 or A2B2E2K2-P2 type which is similar to that described in the EN 141 standard.
*** Only required for danger label numbers 3, 4.1, 4.3, 8 and 9.
For fire extinguisher requirements see ADR 8.1.4