Training Guidance & Awareness

ADR Chapter 1.3 Training Requirements

Under ADR Chapter 1.3 and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009), all persons whose duties concern the carriage of dangerous goods must receive appropriate training. This is not optional — it is a legal requirement with potential enforcement consequences for non-compliance.

The regulations require three categories of training:

• General awareness training — understanding of the regulatory framework, hazard classes, and general requirements for dangerous goods carriage
• Function-specific training — detailed training on the specific duties the person will perform (e.g., packing, loading, documentation)
• Safety training — awareness of the hazards presented by the dangerous goods being handled and the appropriate emergency response actions

Who Needs Training?

The training requirement applies broadly to anyone involved in the dangerous goods chain, including:

• Laboratory staff who classify, pack, or prepare dangerous goods for transport
• Warehouse and stores personnel who receive, handle, or dispatch dangerous goods
• Logistics and transport staff who arrange or manage dangerous goods movements
• Drivers who carry dangerous goods by road
• Managers and supervisors with oversight of dangerous goods operations
• Administrative staff who prepare transport documentation

How DG-Express Supports Your Training Needs

We provide comprehensive guidance and support to help your organisation meet its dangerous goods training obligations:

• Training needs assessment — we identify which personnel require training, what type of training they need, and the appropriate level of detail based on their role
• Training programme development — we help develop or review your training programme to ensure it covers all required elements under ADR 1.3
• Awareness materials — we produce tailored awareness materials, quick reference guides, and operational reminders for your teams
• Training records review — we audit your existing training records to identify gaps and ensure documentation is adequate for regulatory inspection
• Ongoing support — through our DGSA retainer service, we provide continuous guidance on training requirements as regulations change or your operations evolve

Embedding a Culture of Compliance

Effective training goes beyond ticking a regulatory box. When staff understand why the rules exist and how their actions contribute to safety, compliance becomes embedded in daily operations rather than treated as an administrative burden. Our approach focuses on practical understanding and operational relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions