The European Communities (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment) Regulations 2011 to 2018’ in line with the current Regulations, provides for the appointment and vocational qualifications of safety advisers (DGSAs) for the transport of dangerous goods by road both in the state and internationally in Europe in accordance with ADR.
The European Communities (Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 651), as amended by S.I. 201 of 2013, provides for the appointment and vocational qualifications of safety advisers (DGSAs) for the transport of dangerous goods by rail both in the state and internationally in Europe, in accordance with RID.
The regulations, respectively, prohibit the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail both within the state and internationally in Europe by an undertaking unless it has appointed a safety adviser (DGSA); subject to exemptions contained in these regulations. In this context, undertaking is defined in both sets of regulations and includes consignor, carrier as well as packer, filler, loader, unloader and operator of tank-container/portable rank.
The safety adviser (DGSA) is required to fulfil specified functions including advising the undertaking who appointed him as to health, safety and environmental matters in connection with the transport of dangerous goods and the preparation of necessary reports.
A safety adviser (DGSA) cannot be appointed unless he holds a vocational training certificate appropriate to the modes of transport used by the undertaking and to all dangerous goods or one or more of the groups of dangerous goods specified and transported by the undertaking.
Mutual recognition of vocational training certificates issued in other member states of the European community or in Northern Ireland is provided for. The certificate examinations are subject to the approval of the nominated competent authorities that arrange for the issue of the vocational training