What is a DGSA?

A Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) is a person certified to provide advice to undertakings whose activities include moving dangerous goods, to monitor compliance with legal requirements and to ensure the preparation of an annual report. The detailed provisions regarding the role of a DGSA for carriage by road are listed in ADR 1.8.3.

Who needs a DGSA?

Anyone that consigns, transports, packs, fills, loads or unloads dangerous goods on a regular basis – by road, rail or inland waterway – must appoint a DGSA.

There are exemptions to the requirement to appoint a DGSA, depending on how often your business handles dangerous goods and in what quantities.

DGSA training and certification

DGSAs must pass written examinations. On passing the examination a DGSA certificate, valid for 5 years, is issued specifying the mode(s) of transport (road, rail, inland waterway) and the classes of dangerous goods that the DGSA is qualified to monitor and advise on.

A DfT approved examination and certificate-issuing regime applies throughout the UK. DGSA certificates are mutually recognised by all contracting parties, namely in countries which are signatories to RID, ADR or ADN.

There is no legal requirement for DGSAs to undertake formal training and DfT does not keep a list of recommended DGSA training providers.

The form and type of training undertaken is a matter for the individual candidate and the employer to decide, based on the candidate’s knowledge and experience.

Training courses for DGSAs are run by independent providers and trade associations and course lengths vary from 2 to 5 days. Training providers may offer online courses as well as classroom training. They are not required to be approved by the DfT. The fees charged are a matter for the training provider.

The Law is changing January 2023!

Companies who have previously transported dangerous goods only as consignors (according to the description given in the ADR manual, “Consignor” means the enterprise which consigns dangerous goods either on its behalf or for a third party. If the transport operation is carried out under a contract for carriage, consignor means the consignor according to the contract for carriage) were not obliged to appoint a safety adviser before, but they will have to do so by 31st December 2022.

Where can i find a DGSA?

You can either get a member of staff trained as a dangerous goods safety adviser or use a company that specialises in providing dangerous goods safety advice.

You can contact the Department for Transport by email for advice on appointing a DGSA or below you will find some useful links to DGSA’s and training companies.