Dangerous goods safety adviser

Dangerous goods safety advisers inspect and make transport recommendations in line with the European regulations regarding the transport of dangerous goods. They may advise on the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail, sea and air. Dangerous goods safety advisers also prepare safety reports and investigate safety infringements. They provide individuals with the procedures and instructions to follow during the loading, unloading and transporting of these goods.

The following job titles also refer to dangerous goods safety adviser:

dangerous goods safety person
dangerous goods transport person
hazardous goods safety adviser
dangerous goods transport adviser
dangerous goods transport guide
dangerous goods safety guide
dangerous goods safety consultant

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as a dangerous goods safety adviser.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Dangerous goods safety adviser is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to dangerous goods safety adviser.

firework assembler
dangerous goods driver
bus route supervisor
cargo vehicle driver
drill operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of dangerous goods safety adviser. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of dangerous goods safety adviser with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aviation data communications manager
desalination technician
customs officer
fire protection technician
customs and excise officer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of dangerous goods safety adviser.

• Appropriate packaging of dangerous goods: Know that packaging for different types of dangerous goods (other than for limited and excepted quantities) must be designed and constructed to UN specification standards and pass practical transport related tests, such as being dropped, stored in a stack, and being subjected to pressure. It must also meet the needs of the materials it is to contain. Packaging must be certified by a competent authority.
• Laws on the transportation of dangerous goods: The legal regulations that apply in the transportation of potentially dangerous goods, and the procedures involved in classifying such materials.
• Transportation methods: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and optimal work strategies.
• International carriage of dangerous goods by road: Know that the purpose of ADR is to ensure that dangerous materials, including chemicals and hazardous waste, are able to cross international borders as long as vehicles and drivers are in compliance with regulations.
• Handling of dangerous goods: Know the handling procedures for a variety of potentially dangerous materials, such as explosives, flammable or toxic gases, flammable solids/liquids, infectious substances, radioactive substances, etc.
• Health and safety regulations: Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

These skills are necessary for the role of dangerous goods safety adviser.

• Cooperate with colleagues: Cooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.
• Follow ethical code of conduct in transport services: Carry out transport services according to accepted principles of right and wrong. This includes principles of fairness, transparency, and impartiality.
• Adapt communication style according to recipient: Adapt communication style to that of the recipient of the message in order to create a rapport.
• Check dangerous goods transport unit: Ensure that a vehicle about to transport dangerous materials complies with safety and legal regulations. Perform visual checks to identify and report leaks or other forms of damage.
• Recognise the hazards of dangerous goods: Be aware of the threats posed by potentially dangerous goods such as polluting, toxic, corrosive, or explosive materials.
• Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
• Liaise with colleagues: Liaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.
• Manage documentation for dangerous goods: Review and complete all required documentation relating to the transportation of dangerous materials. Review the units, placarding, dimensions, and other important information.
• Provide advice on safety: Educate people on safety measures for a certain activity or location.
• Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
• Instruct on safety measures: Provide instruction on the possible causes of accidents or sources of danger and explain the protective measures that should be taken to guarantee health and safety.
• Coordinate import transportation activities: Oversee import transportation operations; optimise import processes and service strategies.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of dangerous goods safety adviser. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Types of cargo: Distinguish different types of cargo e.g. bulk cargo, liquid bulk cargo and heavy materials.
• Road transport legislation: Know road transport regulations at regional, national, and European level in matters of safety and environmental requirements.
• Customs law: The legal regulations that govern the import of goods in a country.
• Air transport law: Know air transport laws and regulations. Due to the nature of aviation, knowledge of air transport laws partially overlaps with knowledge of international law.
• Communication principles: The set of commonly shared principles in regards with communication such as active listening, establish rapport, adjusting the register, and respecting the intervention of others.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of dangerous goods safety adviser. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Communicate regulations: Keep relevant persons and department up-to-date with new or revised regulations in order that product requirements and specifications are met at all times.
• Create incident reports: Fill in an incident report after an accident has happened at the company or facility, such as an unusual event which caused an occupational injury to a worker.
• Inspect cargo: Conduct quality checks on cargo before loading and after unloading commences. Ensure total on-board cargo load is secure.
• Handle dangerous goods: Transport hazardous materials in a safe manner.
• Perform safety inspections: Inspect the park or part of the park. Note and report problems like blocked trails and risks like overflowing rivers.

4323 – Transport clerks

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References

1. Dangerous goods safety adviser – ESCO