DGSA Consultancy Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser
Expert DGSA appointment and consultancy under CDG 2009. We monitor your dangerous goods compliance, conduct audits, prepare annual reports, train your staff and provide 24/7 emergency telephone support for incidents on the road or at your premises.
DGSA Services We Provide
Complete DGSA support from appointment to 24/7 emergency response.
DGSA Appointment
Formal statutory appointment as your Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser. We accept legal responsibility for monitoring your compliance and advising on regulatory requirements.
Compliance Audits
Comprehensive audit of your entire dangerous goods operation — classification, packaging, labelling, documentation, vehicle specification, driver training, emergency equipment and storage.
Annual Reports
Preparation of the statutory DGSA annual report covering activities, compliance status, incidents, training and recommendations. Retained for 5 years as required by CDG 2009.
Staff Training
ADR awareness training for drivers, warehouse staff and office personnel. ADR training →
24/7 Emergency Support
Round-the-clock telephone support for dangerous goods incidents. Immediate expert advice on containment, regulatory reporting, emergency services liaison and post-incident documentation.
Regulatory Updates
Proactive notification of ADR, IMDG, IATA and CDG regulatory changes affecting your operations. Biennial ADR updates, amendment summaries and compliance impact assessments.
Documentation Templates
Transport document templates, vehicle checklists, emergency instruction cards, consignment notes and loading plans tailored to your specific dangerous goods and operations.
Enforcement Liaison
Support during DVSA roadside checks, HSE site inspections and MCA port inspections. We liaise with enforcement authorities on your behalf and help resolve compliance issues.
Risk Assessments for Your Sector
Every industry has different hazards. We tailor every assessment to your specific sector and operations.
Factories & Warehousing
Machinery, forklift, racking, noiseTransport & Logistics
Depot safety, loading bays, vehiclesConstruction
CDM, excavations, heights, demolitionSchools & Education
Classrooms, labs, playgrounds, tripsCare & Healthcare
Patient handling, clinical, infectionChemical
Process safety, COSHH, DSEARHospitality
Kitchens, fire, slips, public safetySMEs & Offices
DSE, fire, general workplaceCharities
Events, lone working, volunteersHow We Carry Out a Risk Assessment
Operational Review
Free initial review of your dangerous goods operation — what you carry, how it's classified, volumes, routes, vehicle types, staff training status and current documentation.
DGSA Appointment
Formal acceptance of appointment as your DGSA. Registration with relevant authorities. Clear terms of engagement and annual retainer agreement.
Compliance Audit
Comprehensive audit of your operation against ADR, IMDG and CDG 2009 requirements. Detailed findings report with prioritised corrective actions.
Implementation
We close every compliance gap — documentation, training, vehicle specification, emergency equipment, storage arrangements and procedures. Your operation becomes fully compliant.
Ongoing Support
Regular audits, annual report preparation, staff refresher training, regulatory updates, incident investigation and 24/7 emergency telephone support. Continuous compliance.
DGSA Consultancy FAQ
Do I legally need a DGSA?
Yes, if your business is involved in the transport, loading, unloading, filling or packing of dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterway. This applies whether you operate your own vehicles or use third-party hauliers — the consignor has obligations regardless. Failure to appoint is a criminal offence under CDG 2009 with unlimited fines.
What qualifications does a DGSA need?
A DGSA must hold a valid vocational training certificate issued by an approved examination body, demonstrating competence in the relevant transport mode(s). RADCaT's DGSA consultants hold current certificates for road (ADR) and sea (IMDG) transport, with extensive practical experience across multiple industries.
What is the DGSA annual report?
A statutory document summarising your dangerous goods activities during the year — volumes, classifications, incidents, near-misses, training delivered, compliance status and recommendations for improvement. Must be retained for 5 years and produced for enforcement authorities on request. RADCaT prepares this as part of our DGSA service.
What does 24/7 emergency support include?
Immediate expert telephone advice for any dangerous goods incident — spills, leaks, vehicle accidents, package damage, fire involving DG. We guide you through containment, regulatory reporting to police, fire, Environment Agency, emergency services liaison, clean-up coordination and post-incident documentation.
Can you be DGSA for multiple transport modes?
Yes. We provide DGSA services covering ADR (road), IMDG Code (sea) and can coordinate IATA (air) compliance. Many clients transport dangerous goods by multiple modes — we ensure compliance across all of them from a single appointment.
How much does DGSA consultancy cost?
Annual retainer based on the complexity of your operation — number of substances, transport modes, vehicle fleet size and level of support required. All-inclusive pricing covering appointment, audits, annual report, training and 24/7 emergency support. Free initial operational review.
Do I need a DGSA if I only transport small quantities?
Possibly not — there are exemptions for limited quantities, excepted quantities and quantities below the ADR threshold per transport unit. However, the consignor still has obligations regarding classification, packaging and documentation even below DGSA thresholds. RADCaT can assess whether the exemptions apply to your specific operation.
Need a DGSA?
Get in touch for a free operational review. We'll assess your dangerous goods activities and provide a clear quote.