Transport & Logistics DGSA, Safety & Compliance

Under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009), any business involved in the transport, loading, unloading, filling or packing of dangerous goods by road must appoint a qualified DGSA. This applies to haulage operators, freight forwarders, logistics providers, warehouses handling DG freight and any company that consigns dangerous goods for transport. Penalties for non-compliance include unlimited fines and criminal prosecution.

DVSA inspectors can stop vehicles at the roadside or visit your depot to check dangerous goods compliance. They examine vehicle placarding and marking, transport documents, driver training certificates, vehicle equipment (fire extinguishers, PPE, eye wash, drain seals), load securing, packaging condition and segregation compliance. Non-compliance results in prohibition notices (grounding the vehicle), fixed penalties and referral to the Traffic Commissioner. RADCaT prepares your operation to pass any inspection.

Yes. We deliver ADR awareness training for drivers covering dangerous goods classification, documentation requirements, vehicle checks, loading and unloading procedures, emergency response actions and regulatory obligations. Training is delivered at your depot to minimise driver downtime. We also provide awareness training for warehouse operatives, office staff and management involved in dangerous goods consignment. Certificates provided on completion.

Every business with a DGSA appointment must produce an annual report detailing dangerous goods activities during the year, compliance status, incidents, near-misses, training delivered and recommendations for improvement. The report must be retained for 5 years and made available to enforcement authorities on request. RADCaT prepares the annual report as part of our DGSA service — one less thing for you to worry about.

Yes. We provide full IMDG Code compliance support for logistics operations shipping dangerous goods by sea. This includes container packing certificates, multimodal dangerous goods forms, segregation and stowage guidance, marking and placarding requirements, and crew awareness training. Essential for any freight forwarder, shipping agent or logistics provider using UK ports including Liverpool, Felixstowe, Southampton, Immingham and Tilbury.

All RADCaT DGSA clients receive a dedicated emergency telephone number providing immediate expert advice for dangerous goods incidents — spills, leaks, vehicle accidents, package damage and any situation involving hazardous materials. We guide you through containment procedures, regulatory reporting (police, fire service, Environment Agency), clean-up coordination and post-incident documentation. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

DGSA costs depend on the size of your fleet, the types and volumes of dangerous goods you transport, the transport modes involved (road, sea, air) and the level of ongoing support required. Our annual retainer packages include the DGSA appointment, compliance audits, annual report preparation, staff training and 24/7 emergency support. Contact us for a free initial review of your operation and a tailored, no-obligation quote.