Course for an ADR advisor DGSA
What is this?
It is a training dedicated to candidates for advisors in the field of road transport of hazardous materials.
There are no legal contraindications for the participation in this training, also for advisors who want to “refresh their knowledge” before the exam extending their entitlements.
What is the purpose of the training?
The main aim of the training should be to provide candidates with sufficient knowledge of the risks associated with the transport, packing, filling, loading or unloading of dangerous goods, applicable laws, regulations and other administrative provisions, and the duties of the advisor.
The subject of the training is to minimize the risk of adverse events involving hazardous materials.
How long is the training?
In accordance with the Regulation of the MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, CONSTRUCTION AND MARITIME MANAGEMENT of May 29, 2012 on conducting courses in the field of the transport of dangerous goods.
The course lasts 44 teaching hours (45 minutes). The detailed scope of the course and the number of hours for individual issues are described in the above regulation.
Who can become a DGSA advisor?
In accordance with the Act of August 19, 2011 on the transport of dangerous goods, four conditions must be met:
⦁ have higher university degree
⦁ not be convicted of an intentional crime against the credibility of documents, economic turnover and public safety,
⦁ complete the advisor’s course,
⦁ pass the exam with a positive result in front of the examination board operating at the Director of TDT.
Where and in what form can the training take place?
Trainings may only take place in a stationary form in centers that have obtained a permit issued by the Marshal’s Office. The list of entities conducting courses on the transport of hazardous materials can be found on the website of the Transport Technical Inspection.
Should I pass an exam after the training?
Yes. In order to be able to perform the tasks of a DGSA advisor, the state examination carried out by the Transport Technical Supervision in one of the departments in Poland must be successfully completed (no later than one year after the completion of the course). You can also take the exam in an appropriate institution operating in the territory of the ADR Agreement member states.
What time after the training should I take the exam?
The training completion certificate, issued at the end of the course, is valid for 12 months. This means that the candidate should pass the exam during this time. If this condition is not met, he or she must again attend the full course of 44 lessons.
What permissions will it get?
The advisor’s certificate is an international document that allows to act as an advisor in one of the countries that have ratified the ADR Agreement. The validity of the authorization is 5 years. This means that the advisor must periodically pass an exam confirming his knowledge.
IMPORTANT!
The next exam may be taken within 12 months preceding the expiry date of the advisor’s certificate. The date of the new certificate is counted from the date of expiry of the previous document.
What parts does the exam consist of?
The exam consists of 3 parts:
- basic part – multiple-choice test (20 questions, duration 60 minutes)
- specialist part – multiple-choice test (30 questions, duration 80 minutes)
- descriptive part – practical task (1 open task, 60 minutes).
In order to obtain a positive result, it is necessary to obtain at least 80% of the basic and specialized part and correctly solve the entire open task.
When should a company hire a DGSA advisor?
In accordance with the Act on the transport of dangerous goods, each participant in the transport of dangerous goods carrying out the transport on the so-called full ADR is obliged to appoint at his own expense at least one advisor for the safety of the transport of dangerous goods, competent for the scope of the transport or activities related to it.
Is there a limited number of companies that an advisor can work for?
Neither the Act on the Transport of Hazardous Materials nor the ADR Agreement regulate the number of companies in which one advisor can advise. It is only important that in each of these companies a person is able to fulfill all the duties of an adviser.
An adviser may also be the head of the enterprise, a person performing other duties in the enterprise or a person not employed directly by the enterprise, provided that this person is able to perform the duties of an adviser.
Adviser duties
In accordance with the ADR Agreement regarding the company’s operations, the advisor has in particular the following obligations:
⦁ monitoring compliance with the requirements for the transport of dangerous goods,
⦁ advising the company on the transport of dangerous goods,
⦁ preparation of an annual report on the activities of the enterprise in the field of transport of dangerous goods for the management of this enterprise or local authorities, as appropriate. The report should be stored for 5 years and made available to the authorities of individual countries on their request.
The advisor’s duties also include monitoring the following practices and procedures related to the company’s activities in question:
⦁ procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements for the identification of dangerous goods transported
⦁ the company’s practices in the scope of taking into account special requirements related to the transported goods in the case of purchasing means of transport,
⦁ procedures for checking equipment used in the carriage, packing, filling, loading and unloading of dangerous goods,
⦁ proper training of the company’s employees, including changes in regulations and storage of training documentation,
⦁ introducing correct rescue procedures in the field of accidents and failures that may endanger safety during the transport, packing, filling, loading or unloading of dangerous goods,
⦁ conduct investigations and, if applicable, prepare reports on major accidents, accidents or serious non-compliance with the regulations during the transport, packing, filling, loading or unloading of dangerous goods;
⦁ introduce appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of accidents, breakdowns or serious violations of regulations
⦁ taking into account the regulations and special requirements relating to the transport of dangerous goods when selecting subcontractors and partners,
⦁ checking that employees involved in shipping, transporting, packing, filling, loading or unloading dangerous goods have received detailed operating procedures and instructions,
⦁ apply measures to increase knowledge of the risks associated with the transport, packaging, filling, loading and unloading of dangerous goods,
⦁ introducing control procedures to verify that the means of transport is provided with the required documents and emergency equipment and that such documents and equipment comply with the regulations,
⦁ introducing control procedures to verify compliance with the requirements for packing, filling, loading and unloading,
⦁ implementation of a protection plan.