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Explaining ADR

Henry Laferla from K Training explains the requirements of ADR 2009 and The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009.

Although ADR 2009 has been around for nearly two years, there has been some confusion regarding some of the changes affecting lpg operation, especially the documentation requirement regarding the Tunnel Restriction code.

Everyone involved in the carriage of dangerous goods must receive training to ensure that people and the environment are protected. Attendance of a course carried out by Department for Transport approved training providers is a legal requirement and counts as part of a drivers’ hours. A driver must pass SQA exams to get an ADR certificate. A failed exam can be retaken without redoing the course if taken within 16 weeks.

Drivers can refresh an ADR certificate three to 12 months before the expiry date and are given a further five years, but they must sit an initial course in any failed modules at least 30 working days before the expiry date.

From January 1 2011, there will be a requirement to mark vehicles carrying more than 8 tonnes of limited quantities when being carried in vehicles with maximum mass over 12 tonnes. The location is different whether the goods are being carried in packages in a transport unit or within containers.

Every transport unit must have a 2kg dry powder portable fire extinguisher suitable for fighting a fire in the engine or cab of the transport unit. In addition, vehicles more than 7.5 tonnes need 12kg, of which at least one should have a minimum capacity of 6kg; vehicles 3.5-7.5 tonnes need 8kg dry powder, of which at least one should have a minimum capacity of 6kg, and vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes need 4kg. The 2kg fire extinguisher may be deducted from the minimum total capacity of the extinguishers required.

Every transport unit also needs a wheel chock of a size suited to the maximum mass of the vehicle and to the diameter of the wheel; two self-standing warning signs; a suitable warning vest or warning clothing for each member of the vehicle crew, and eye rinsing liquid (although not for danger label numbers 1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3).

Each member of the crew also needs a warning vest, a portable lighting apparatus without metal surfaces liable to produce sparks, a pair of protective gloves and eye protection. Each vehicle must also carry the driver’s ADR certificate; photo identification for each member of the crew; transport documents covering all the dangerous goods carried and, when appropriate, the container packing certificate; Instructions In Writing; a copy of the main text of the special agreement; the certificate of approval for each transport unit, and the permit authorising the transport operation, if applicable.

‘UN 1011 BUTANE, 2.1, (B/D)’ and ‘UN 1978 PROPANE, 2.1, (B/D)’ are examples of permitted dangerous goods descriptions. The Tunnel restriction code (B/D) isn’t needed if the vehicle won’t be passing through a restricted tunnel.

Empty, uncleaned receptacles for gases with a capacity of not more than 1,000 litres, should have the words “EMPTY PACKAGING”, “EMPTY RECEPTACLE”, “EMPTY IBC” or “EMPTY LARGE PACKAGING”, as appropriate, followed by the information of the goods last loaded, before or after the proper shipping name, e.g. “EMPTY PACKAGING, 2.1″.

Butane and propane have been coded as B/D. Tank carriage is forbidden through tunnels of category B, C, D and E, and cylinder passage is forbidden through tunnels of category D and E.

Blackwall tunnel – E
Clyde tunnel – D
Dartford tunnel – C
East India tunnel – E
Limehouse tunnel – E
Mersey tunnel – D
Ramsate tunnel – C
RotherhIde tunnel – E
Tyne tunnel – D

ADR 2009 paragraph 8.6.3.3 states that: “Dangerous goods carried in accordance with 1.1.3 are not subject to the tunnel restrictions and shall be taken into account when determining the tunnel restriction code to be assigned to the whole load of a transport unit.” However, check with the tunnel authority before starting your journey.

You can download all or part of ADR from K Training’s website.

Contact K Training on 0208 900 9038 www.ktraining.com

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