Some loads are potentially hazardous, including poisons and loads which are explosive, flammable or have corrosive properties. Strict rules apply on the transport of such loads by road (and, indeed, rail, water or air). The rules cover vehicles, packaging and markings on vehicles and containers.

Which laws apply?

• The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004
• The 2005 amendments

The UK regulations are based on United Nations Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. These are a series of publications known as the Orange Book which sets out recommendations for the classification  and labelling of dangerous goods and requirements for packaging, tanks and containers.

ADR

In Europe the UN recommendations are embodied in the ADR regulations (Accord Européen Relatif au Transport International des Marchandises Dangereuses par Route) published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

ADR also includes operational requirements such as driver training and security. The rules are updated every two years, and all EU member states are required to amend their domestic regulations to comply with the latest ADR rules.

The latest ADR rules apply from 1 January 2007. The 2007 edition is available in hardcopy or CD-ROM format from UNECE. The Department for Transport (DFT) has published a 97-page document on the updated ADR 2007 rules.

Substance classifications

There are nine broad classifications of hazardous loads:

• Class 1: Explosive substances and articles
• Class 2: Gases
• Class 3: Flammable liquids
• Class 4.1: Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives
• Class 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
• Class 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
• Class 5.1: Oxidizing substances
• Class 5.2: Organic peroxides
• Class 6.1: Toxic substances
• Class 6.2: Infectious substances
• Class 7: Radioactive material
• Class 8: Corrosive substances
• Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Hazchem codes

All vehicles carrying dangerous goods have to be clearly marked. Orange markers have to be carried at the front and rear. Vehicles carrying class 1 (explosives) and class 7 (radioactive substances) have to display hazard diamonds on both sides. Tankers and tank containers must, in addition, show hazard class diamonds relevant to the primary and secondary hazard associated with the substance carried.

Vehicles on international journeys should carry a Hazard Identification Number (HIN), which is also called the Kemler code.

There is an extra requirement for GB-registered vehicles on domestic journeys. These vehicles must be marked with Emergency Action Codes (sometimes called Hazchem codes) which identify the substance, and include a telephone number for advice in the event of an emergency. See Hazchem consignment rules.

Vehicle equipment

Drivers must carry a Tremcard, which gives information about the potential dangers of the substance and what action should be taken in the language of any country the vehicle will pass through; a certificate of approval for the vehicle carrying dangerous substances and explosives; and a Vocational Training Certificate (VTC).

Vehicles must be equipped with at least one chock, two warning signs (reflective cones, triangles or self-powered flashing amber lights). Drivers and crew must be provided with safety vests compliant with EN471 and a pocket lamp, and any equipment and clothing needed to deal with spillages according to the information in the Tremcard. For carriage of toxic gases, a respiratory device must be supplied.

Training

Training is mandatory for drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods. The DfT website is a good source of information, especially the page on Training and professional roles in dangerous goods transport.

Drivers must hold a VTC issued by the DfT, stating that they have attended appropriate training courses and passed an examination. Refresher courses are obligatory. Drivers must produce their VTC to the police or any goods vehicle examiner.

• General training requirements
• Driver training schemes

Until 1 January 2007 drivers of dangerous goods vehicles below 3,500kg were exempt from carrying a VTC. ADR 2005 abolished the concession and the two-year transitional period has expired. Companies have been required to appoint Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors since 2004. The DfT page on Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers has more information on requirements, training and VTC requirements.

Enforcement

The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcement and compliance, and for the classification of explosives for transport purposes.

The police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) traffic examiners are also empowered to enforce certain parts of the Regulations, targeted at ensuring compliance by carriers. EU Directive 95/50/EC set requirements on the number and type of enforcement actions. Periodic special enforcement exercises are held nationally and the DfT believes that the overall standard of compliance with the regulations in GB is good.

Want to know more?

The DfT's website has comprehensive advice on the transport of dangerous goods and the legal requirements. See the DfT Dangerous Goods home page and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations and related material.

Competent Authority provisions under the Carriage Regulations has details of authorisations, exemptions, multilateral agreements and notices allowing deviations from ADR/RID requirements.

If you have got a specific query, there are 12 guidance notes which might answer your question. They offer advice on fuel containers, packaging, fire extinguisher requirements, load limits, limited quantities exemptions, ammunition and explosives, retail packaging, warning signs, oxygen cylinder rules, international bulk container requirements, prevention of leaks in machinery containing dangerous goods, and advice on transporting samples that might contain avian influenza (bird flu) virus.

• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 1: Diesel, petrol or kerosene advice.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 2: Performance testing, certification and marking of packagings, including packages, large packagings and Intermediate Bulk Containers.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 3: Fire extinguisher requirements.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 4: Load thresholds for carriage of dangerous goods.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 5: Advice on determining if load is covered under the Limited Quantities rules.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 6: Carriage of black powder, small arms ammunition and model rocket motors.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 7 (revised): Derogations on packaging provisions for retail distribution.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 8: Carrying and using warning signs.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 9: Carriage of oxygen cylinders by road.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 10: IBC examination, inspection and testing.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 11: Dangerous goods in machinery: preventing leaks.
• DfT dangerous goods guidance note 12: Avian flu virus.