Transportation of hazardous materials: what training?
The transport of dangerous goods by road is governed by the European Agreement concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road To be able to hit the road but also to handle these materials legally, the employees of a transport company must be trained. Why ? What training for these employees?
Why train in the transport of hazardous materials?
The transport of dangerous goods can be carried out by road, rail, sea or air. To transport dangerous goods by road, you must comply with the international ADR regulations (European Agreement on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) aimed at harmonizing the transport of these goods throughout the world. Training is therefore a legal obligation, but not only. Beyond the legal aspect, the training allows you to adopt the right reflexes both in the handling and the transport of hazardous materials, in order to protect yourself, the public but also the environment.
Good to know
Any violation of the regulations for the transport of dangerous goods is heavily penalized. This can range from a 5th class fine (€1,500 and €3,000 in the event of a repeat offence), to a fine of €30,000 and one year in prison, depending on the type of offence. 5th class fines are cumulative, which can be costly for a business not complying with the law.
Who should train?
In a company transporting hazardous materials, personnel in contact with these materials must undergo specific training to guarantee their safety, but also that of the public and the environment.
The drivers
Drivers of vehicles transporting hazardous materials must undergo training and receive a certificate after examination to be able to drive and transport their goods to their destination. The purpose of this training is to make drivers aware of the possible risks they may incur and to teach them the procedure to follow to avoid them. Finally, drivers are also trained in the event of an accident, in order to limit damage to themselves, the public and the environment.
Each certificate issued to drivers who have completed the training falls within a specific scope depending on the goods transported and the vehicle used. This certificate is valid for a period of 5 years. Drivers wishing to continue to practice in this field must undergo refresher and advanced training before the end of the validity.
Staff other than drivers
In addition to drivers working in the field of transporting hazardous materials, other workers must take specific training to work in this sector. Employees of shippers, shippers, packers, consignees and unloaders must indeed be aware of the safety rules governing the handling of this type of product.
The training to be followed depends on each employee's duties and responsibilities. However, security awareness is mandatory. In this training, the elements to be covered are the following:
risks and hazards of hazardous materials;
knowledge of regulatory requirements;
knowledge of the specific requirements relating to the material being transported.
The training is to be updated every two years to follow regulatory developments in the sector. It can be issued by an external organization or carried out internally by a safety adviser for the transport of dangerous goods, present in the company.
Good to know
Drivers who have been exempted from initial training because they are transporting goods below the thresholds of 1.1.3.6 and hazardous materials in limited quantities (LQ), i.e. packages weighing less than 30 kg, must follow the training of other personnel working in the transport of hazardous materials sector.
Security Advisor
Any company transporting dangerous goods must appoint a safety adviser, who may be internal or external to the company. He must hold a certificate issued by the Interprofessional Committee for the Development of Training in the Transport of Dangerous Goods (CIFMD), after training. This training covers the missions to be fulfilled but also the general regulations for the transport of dangerous goods.
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