Driver Requirements
There are specific points which must be adhered to at all times by drivers carrying Dangerous Goods. These are:-
- Orange plates to be displayed front and rear of vehicle, whilst loading, unloading and in transit.
- Reading and Understanding of Tremcard before taking responsibility for the load.
- ADR Vocational Training Certificate to be with the driver at all times whilst carrying Dangerous Goods.
- The driver must have the Transport documents required for the goods.
- Photographic Identity is required for High Consequence Dangerous Goods.
- The Vehicle Certificate of Approval if required carrying, Fl, OX, EX or AT.
- Drivers should be knowledgeable in use of Fire Extinguisher.
- 1 or more Wheel Chock suitable for size of vehicle, if abroad must be plastic or rubber.
- No Smoking or Naked Flames.
- No Opening of Packages. (Except UK Regulations)
- No Passengers, unless crew member with ADR, and with his own PPE.
- There will be Load specific requirements also to adhere to.
- Placards to be in place on the sides and rear of the vehicle when carrying Class 1 and Class 7 Goods.
PPE - Personal Protective Equipment.
Drivers have a requirement to carry Personal Protective Equipment with them whilst carrying Dangerous Goods. The list is on the Tremcard
and should include: -
| Additional items for certain Classes | ||
|---|---|---|
| For each of the Vehicle Crew | Classes 2.3 and 6.1 | For Classes 3, 4.1, 4.3, 8, 9 |
|
Warning Vest (Hi Vis)
Torch Protective Gloves Eye protection |
Gas Mask |
Shovel
Drain Seal Plastic Bucket |
| Other PPE dependant on what is being carried on the vehicle may include | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Hi Vis Tabard.
Safety Goggles. First Aid Kit. Disposable Dust Masks. |
Disposable (latex) Gloves.
18" Chemical Gauntlets. Waterproof Suit. PVC Chemical Suit. |
Gas Mask.
Chemical Proof Wellington Boots. Torch - must be working. Warning Triangles and /or 2 Flashing Lights when Abroad. |
Any Load specific Safety Equipment, such as Antidote Packs, Shovels, Brooms, Fire Extinguishers other than Dry Powder.
The following items to be carried in the PPE kit must be in date:-
- Hard Hat, no more than 5 Years old, date to be found under peak of cap.
- Gas Mask Respirator Filter, Expiry date to be printed on Canister.
- Eyewash Bottle, Expiry date to be printed on Bottle.
The following List includes Items that should be in any Spill Kit Hazard Cupboard.
- Fire Extinguishers - 2Kg Fire Extinguisher for the vehicle Cab.
- Vehicles up to 3.5 tonne - Fire extinguisher 4 Kg Minimum Capacity.
- Vehicles up to 7.5 tonne - Fire extinguishers minimum total capacity 8 Kg dry powder, of which one to be at least 6 Kg.
- Vehicles more than 7.5 tonne - Fire Extinguishers minimum capacity 12 Kg, of which one to be minimum capacity 6 Kg.
- For vehicles carrying goods under 1.1.3.6 - Fire Extinguisher of 2 Kg for the vehicle Cab.
Three Things to Note on the Fire Extinguishers include:-
- Seals Intact.
- Labels of Expiry Date Legible, and Next service date to be in the Future.
- Pressure Gauge in the Green.
The Normal type of Fire Extinguisher for a Vehicle is Dry Powder.
Colour Codings
| Extinguishers may have colour coding | |
|---|---|
|
Red
Cream Blue Black Green |
Water
Foam Powder CO2 Carbon Dioxide Halon |
Responsibility of the Driver
- Reading the Tremcard to know the nature of the Hazard
- Reading the DG Note to assure he is ADR licenced for the goods to be carried
- Wear Safety Equipment if provided or is necessary as defined in the tremcard
- Ensuring the correct status of the Dangerous Goods from the consignor
- Ensuring he has a Copy Tremcard
- Ensuring goods on his vehicle are correctly labelled and addressed
- Ensuring he has the documents relating to the load, DG Note & Tremcard
- Marking Vehicle correctly, Orange Plates and Placards if Class1 & 7
- Ensuring he has correct PPE, Fire Extinguishers and vehicle equipment for load
- Ensuring Vehicle cleaned after any spillage
- Ensuring no loading of incompatible goods
- Knowledge of Emergency Procedures
- Ensuring the Container Packing Certificate is signed before he sets out to ship out
- Ensuring the packages are loaded safely
- Keeping Tremcard readily available in the vehicle cab
- Plan the Journey to Include safe parking if required
- Report suspicious behaviour around your vehicle
- Report to the employer any tampering of the load
- Report to the employer any accident regarding the load
- To know what to do in what to do in an emergency
- Know not to fight a fire of the load
European ADR
Driving restrictions
Most countries in Europe have taken on board the requirements of ADR and placed them into their own countries, although Article 4 defines
that each Country has its own additional requirements to regulate or Prohibit for reasons other than safety the regulations.
France for instance forbids the transport of Dangerous Goods on French roads after midday on Saturday or day preceding a Bank Holiday, until midnight Sunday or 6am Monday. France also defines separate speed limits for vehicles carrying Dangerous Goods, 80km/h m/ways and 60km/h National Roads.
Germany will reportedly double the fine for any traffic offence if the vehicle is carrying Dangerous Goods. There will be regular checks by the BAG,(BundesAmt fur Gutverkehr) the German ministry for ADR compliance. Also all traces of Hazard stickers must be removed if they do not apply.
In Holland and Belgium many Tunnels are banned to Dangerous Goods and Bridge or Ferry routes are signed up as Dangerous Goods diversions. Less so in Belguim, where the Kennedy Tunnel in Antwerp is Banned to Dangerous Goods.
In Paris Dangerous Goods loads are banned from certain Motorways on Monday mornings, and from the tunnels on the peripherifique. After the fire in the Mont Blanc of Polystyrene beads, certain Alpine tunnels ban Dangerous Goods and the choices of route to Italy may be restricted.
Further EU Driving restrictions
To ensure that drivers are fully aware of the restrictions placed upon them whilst carrying Dangerous Goods, we suggest you visit the
International Section of this website, specifically
Country Restriction At the top of this page you'll find a series of buttons identifying a particular country; on each destination
page, you'll find further information and contact details regarding the movement of Dangerous Goods.
Dangerous Goods Miscellaneous Details
The Driver is not to fight a fire of a dangerous goods load. His job is to alert the authorities and be available when they arrive with the
load information to hand; that and to alert the local populace and keep them clear of the danger. Fire Extinguishers are for preventing a
load of the vehicle getting to the dangerous goods.
Police and Ministry Checks
The police or ministry will target and stop Dangerous Goods loads for compliance. Once stopped, the Authorities will take a drivers papers
and ask questions about the load, UN No, Product, Fire drill, and the special instructions. It is wise to know these before you set out
on your journey. The Answers you give will be checked later by a DGSA so the Police response to them will mean little. It should be noted
that 55% of all checks show Extinguisher Failings, with documentation error being the next highest failing.
Given the nature of the Offence, you will either be given a Prohibition Notice, a deferred P.N. allowing you to continue your journey, but the Traffic Commisioner will be informed, and you will have a defined period amount of time to conform.
High Consequence Loads
All drivers will be Give a Dangerous Load Card by theirr employer. If the driver is asked to stop by another vehicle, especially if it is
unmarked, the driver is to ring 999 to verify the Authenticity of the Authorities asking him to stop. He/She will show the car stopping
him/her the Dangerous Load Card which says you are calling the Police. Always leave Doors locked and Windows Closed.
The 999 call goes to the local Operations room, whom the Police or VOSA stopping you will have called to inform them. Hence the 999 call
will verify the Authority of the car or persons asking the driver to stop or alert the Police of an incident to which they will respond.
Dartford and other UK tunnels
All vehicles carrying Dangerous Goods have to be checked, and may either be allowed through unescorted, accompanied, or turned away.
Dartford, Mersey and Tyne Tunnel issue a reference book with information as to the UN Numbers allowed. Cars running on LPG or CNC must have
a sticker denoting the fact. From 30th June 2009, English Tunnels should be using the ADR Tunnel Code System, A to E.
For more information concerning ADR Tunnel Codes, please select the link below and download the pdf Factsheet.
IMDG
The International Marine Dangerous Goods code is far stricter than Road regs, especially in the Compatibility of Dangerous Goods. Certain
classes, such as 5.1 and class 3 cannot travel on the same boat, let alone the same vehicle. Opposing forms of Class 8
(Acids and Alkalies) are not allowed on the same vehicle. Dangerous Goods loads must be informed to the Ferry Port 2 Hours before arrival
at the port. It is best to check compatibility before arriving at the port.
Some dangerous goods are loaded on the ship at the prow, so they can be jettisoned in cases of an emergency.
Radioactive Goods for Humanitarian Purposes (X Rays etc) are allowed on passenger ferries. However, when the vehicle returns with the empty container after unloading the source it must use the Freight Ferry as it is deemed industrial.
Drivers will be fined for an Orange plate displayed when travelling empty.
In Europe, a driver will be expected to have working Flashing Lights as well as Warning Triangles.
