If you are looking to ship dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterway, it is necessary to appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA). Jag Express can offer qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser Consultant and retainer services, paired with over 20 years of industry experience in hazardous goods transport.

Keep reading to learn more about our DGSA consultancy services and what makes Jag Express your supplier of choice in the UK.

DGSA stands for ‘Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser’. This is a professional qualification required under UK and European legislation for organisations involved in the shipping of dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterway. The role was established to ensure that businesses handling hazardous materials maintain the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance throughout the transport chain.

A qualified DGSA advisor must hold a valid certificate issued by a competent authority following successful completion of rigorous examinations covering dangerous goods regulations, classification systems, transport documentation, emergency procedures and risk management. These certificates are mode-specific (road, rail or inland waterway) and are valid for 5 years and must be renewed accordingly to ensure DGSA consultants maintain current knowledge of evolving legislation and best practices.

The appointment of a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser is a legal obligation if you are an organisation consigning, packing or transporting dangerous goods via most modes of transport (road, rail or inland waterway). Because anything involved in the carriage of dangerous goods is, by design, dangerous, it’s important that you work with a DGSA that you trust. They will ultimately give advice, monitor compliance with legal requirements and prevent the risks associated with dangerous goods and hazardous materials. 

A DGSA will support you with expert advice and guidance to ensure your business remains compliant and risk is minimised to both person, property and the environment. A DGSA has a number of responsibilities, such as:

• Monitoring compliance with the requirements governing the transport of dangerous goods
• Advising the undertaking on the carriage of dangerous goods
• Ensure the preparation of an annual report to the management of the undertaking or a local public authority, as appropriate, on the undertaking’s activities in the carriage of dangerous goods
• Monitoring the following practices and procedures relating to the relevant activities of the undertaking, such as
  • a) the procedures for compliance with the requirements governing the identification of dangerous goods being transported
  • b) the undertaking’s practice in taking account
  • c) the procedures for checking the equipment used in connection with the carriage, related packing, filling
  • d) loading or unloading of dangerous goods
  • e) implementing proper emergency procedures
  • f) investigating and preparing reports on serious incidents & accidents
  • g) implementation of measures to avoid accidents or incidents

Looking for more information on the classes of dangerous goods? Check out our service page on dangerous goods.

Our team has extensive knowledge on the safe and compliant transport of dangerous and hazardous goods, both in the UK and internationally. We have been supporting clients with their hazardous goods transport requirements for over 20 years. It’s with this background, paired with our dedicated customer service, that makes our DGSA consultant services exceptional. If you’re in doubt about any of your organisation’s dangerous goods activities, get in touch with our team today.

Jag Express can support with:

• Part time, full time, adhoc or retainer internal and external services
• Over the phone advice and support where needed
• Access to expert industry knowledge on the transportation of dangerous goods, requirements of ADR and complex logistics requirements
• Access to a comprehensive suite of specialist courier and logistics solutions, meaning that you work with one dedicated person at Jag Express for multiple logistics needs. Less stress, less time managing logistics and more resource to focus on what your business does best.
• Dangerous Goods compliance audit reports
• A local UK team who are on-hand to support, 24/7, 365 days a year

You might also need to have access to DGSA advice but not day-to-day consultancy. Some clients use us for this support for public sector contracts. If this sounds like support that you need, get in touch with our team today.

Our accreditations:

ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System

IATA Dangerous Goods Accreditation

ADR Dangerous Goods Accreditation

IMDG Dangerous Goods Accreditation

DGSA

RAMTUC – UK and International Transport of Radioactive Materials by Road (ADR) and Rail (RID)

First off, you should liaise with your chosen supplier to review their DGSA certificate and relevant certification documentation – you want to ensure your business is suitably protected. Once you are happy with the qualifications of your supplier, it’s a good idea to chat with your DGSA about your requirements and reporting obligations.

We would love to work with your business as your appointed DGSA or to advise you on your adhoc requirements. Get in touch with the Jag Express team today to learn more about our consultancy services and how we can support your business.