DGSA - Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor

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DGSA stands for Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser. It's a professional qualification that is legally required for many businesses involved in the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail, or inland waterway in the UK and throughout Europe.

The main purpose of a DGSA is to help a company prevent the risks associated with the carriage of hazardous materials. These risks include dangers to people, property, and the environment.

Any business whose activities involve the consignment, carriage, packing, loading, filling, or unloading of dangerous goods on a regular basis must appoint a DGSA. This can be an existing employee who gains the qualification or an external consultant.

There are some exemptions to this rule, for example, if a company only transports dangerous goods in very small quantities (limited quantities) or on a rare, incidental basis. However, for any company whose business is centred around or regularly involves the movement of hazardous goods, a DGSA is a legal requirement.

The role of a DGSA is advisory and monitoring. They are not typically responsible for the day-to-day work, but rather for ensuring that the correct procedures are in place and that the company is compliant with regulations. Their key duties include:

• Monitoring Compliance: The DGSA monitors the company's activities to ensure they comply with the relevant national and international regulations (such as ADR, RID, and ADN).
• Advising: They provide expert advice to the company on all matters related to the transport of dangerous goods. This includes advice on classification, packaging, labeling, and vehicle requirements.
• Annual Report: The DGSA is responsible for preparing an annual report for the company's management on its dangerous goods activities. This report is a crucial audit tool that must be kept for five years.
• Accident Investigation: In the event of a serious accident or incident involving dangerous goods, the DGSA is responsible for investigating the cause and preparing a report to prevent future occurrences.
• Training: They monitor the provision of adequate training for all staff involved in the handling and transport of dangerous goods.