Crew and vehicle
Contents
- Introduction
- CDG Regs
- ADR
- Transport unit
- Equipment and documentation
- Documents
- Placarding and marking
- Fire extinguishers
- Miscellaneous equipment
- Driver training
- Enforcement
- Other matters
Introduction
1 Part 8 of ADR covers most of the matters that the carrier has to deal with, and includes
- Driver training
- Equipment to be carried, including fire extinguishers, wheel chocks, pocket lamp, warning signs, warning vest
- Documentation
CDG Regs
2 Regulation 5 is the basis for implementing ADR's requirements in this matter. Regulation 6 requires GB vehicles on national journeys to use Emergency action codes rather than Hazard Identification numbers when carrying in tanks or bulk. For tank carriage there is also the requirement to display a telephone number. Details are in Sch 1 of CDG Regs.
ADR
3 The relevant part of ADR is part 8. In principle, this is not complicated, but there are some intricacies which this manual discusses. Virtually all of the carrier's duties are set out in this part of ADR.
Transport unit
4 Some duties refer to "transport unit" and some to vehicles. The transport unit may be one vehicle or may comprise a tractor unit and semi- trailer (articulated lorry) or a rigid lorry and trailer (drawbar combination). A vehicle most obviously is a lorry or van but it also includes a trailer. Accordingly, an articulated lorry or drawbar combination is two vehicles, but one transport unit. Vehicle is defined in Article 1 and in part 9 of ADR
Equipment and documentation
5 ADR chapter 8.1 covers equipment and documentation. This is grouped in three main parts
- Documents (8.1.2)
- Placarding and marking (8.1.3)
- Fire fighting equipment (8.1.4)
- Miscellaneous equipment (8.1.5)
Documents
6 There are cross references to other parts of ADR where the details of documentation are given (ADR 5.4.1).
7 The vehicle should be carrying
- "Transport documents", details of which may be found in "Consignment procedures"
- "Instructions In Writing" (IiW) , which contain basic information for use in an emergency.
8 There is now a standard format for IiW which is not affected by the goods carried. It is the carrier's duty to ensure the driver has the IiW in a language he/she understands.
9 Instructions in writing which meet the requirements of ADR 5.4.3 up to December 2014 may continue to be used until 30th June 2017.
10 The IiW specify equipment to be carried and some of this is determined by the nature of the goods carried. A summary of the requirements is included in the tabular enforcement guide in "operational strategy and enforcement"
11 The IiW specify equipment to be carried and some of this is determined by the nature of the goods carried. A summary of the requirements is included in the tabular enforcement guide in "operational strategy and enforcement"
Placarding and marking
12 ADR para 8.1.3 refers to ADR Chapter 5.3 in respect of placarding and marking. More details may be found in Consignment procedures.
Fire extinguishers
13 ADR para 8.1.4 concerns fire extinguishers. The table below sets out a summary of the minimum requirements. Note that dry powder extinguishers are specified because it is known that they are suitable for tackling fires of class A (solids such as wood, paper etc), class B (fires involving liquids) and class C (fires involving gases).
| Vehicle (max permissible mass) | Minimum dry powder fire extinguisher provision |
|---|---|
| Up to 3.5 tonne | 2kg for cab plus 2 kg |
| over 3.5 t and up to 7.5 tonne | 2 kg for cab Total 8 kg (usually one 6 kg but other provision is acceptable as long as there is one 6 kg) |
| Over 7.5 tonne | 2 kg for cab Total 12 kg (including at least one 6 kg) |
| Any vehicle carrying dangerous goods under the" small load" limit or carrying only infectious substances | One 2 kg only |
Miscellaneous equipment
14 Para 8.1.5 refers to "miscellaneous equipment". The most common problem is in the wording of subparagraph (a) about wheel chocks. Under ADR, the transport unit has to carry at least one suitable chock for each vehicle (which means at least two chocks for articulated lorries and drawbar combinations). There is no prescription as to where wheel chocks are to be carried. A discussion on enforcement issues is in para 8 of Annex 3.2 in Operational Strategy.
Note: Authorisation 24 which permitted GB registered "transport units" on domestic journeys to carry one suitable wheel chock has now been withdrawn.
15 Under this heading also come:
- Two self standing warning signs
- A suitable warning vest or warning clothing for each member of the crew
- A pocket lamp for each member of the crew. Note that special provision S2 (Table A column 19) means that the "pocket lamp" has to be suitable for use in a flammable atmosphere in certain circumstances.
- The equipment that is needed according to the load carried, summarised below
| Nature of load (by danger label) | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Labels 3 - 9 | Eye rinsing liquid |
| Labels 2.3 and 6.1 | Emergency escape mask |
| Labels 3, 4.1, 4.3, 8, 9 | Drain seal Shovel Plastic collecting container |
Driver training
16 Chapter 8.2 of ADR covers driver training. The table below summarises the requirements.
| Vehicle /load | Driver training | ADR Reference |
|---|---|---|
| All vehicles except those carrying packages under the small load threshold. | General training plus ADR Training certificate The certificate may be endorsed for different classes of dangerous goods or different modes (in tanks or other than tanks.) |
8.2.1 |
| Any vehicle carrying packaged dangerous goods under the small load threshold. | General training | 8.2.3 (refers to chapter 1.3) ADR 1.1.3.6 |
| Vehicle with small tank (up to 1 m3) | General training | 8.2.1.3 8.2.3 |
17 ADR chapter 1.3 gives the details of the "general training". The requirement for carriers to keep a record of training is in ADR 1.3.3. ADR 2011 clarified the requirement that training should be carried out before a person assumes responsibilities in relation to dangerous goods. Otherwise duties should be carried out only under the direct supervision of a trained person (see 1.3.1).
18 Drivers are required to carry their training certificates by ADR 8.1.2.2. From 2011 the training certificates followed a standard "credit card" format as shown in ADR 8.2.2.8.5. It includes security features (8.2.2.8.3) and a photo of the holder.
19 Information on the training schemes may be found on DfT's website
Enforcement
20 When checking a driver's training certificate, Inspectors should ensure that:
- it is in the same name as the driving licence
- the expiry date has not passed;
- the certificate is valid for the class of dangerous goods being carried, and for the mode of carriage - ie "in tanks" or "other than in tanks";
- the certificate number matches that on the holder's driving licence, where possible.
21 Inspectors considering a prosecution for an apparent breach involving a training certificate will need to check whether a certificate has been issued to the driver concerned. This will need to be done through the DVLA as with other licence matters.
Other matters
22 ADR 8.3 covers a number of simple and obvious precautions. These duties fall on the carrier and the crew (usually the driver, but in some cases a second person).
23 ADR 8.4 includes supervision of vehicles. This applies where special provisions S14 to S21 appear in column 19 of Table A.