Dangerous goods documentation and transport paperwork
What this domain tests
The exam tests whether you can check the paperwork before a wheel turns. The transport document must describe the dangerous goods accurately, and the driver must carry the emergency instructions and vehicle documents required for the journey.
Core rules
- The dangerous goods declaration or consignment note must show the UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, subsidiary risk where applicable, packing group, number and kind of packages, and total quantity.
- The emergency information, often in a TREM card, must travel with the driver and match the load.
- Vehicle documents include registration, fitness, insurance, permit where required, and the driver's hazardous goods endorsement and training certificate.
- Check the documents against the labels and placards before loading. A vague description such as "chemicals" or "solvent" is not acceptable.
- Keep copies as required by the operator and authorities, and make them available at checkpoints.
Worked example
A driver is offered 20 drums described only as "cleaning chemical". The declaration has no UN number, class or packing group. Reasoning: the load cannot be accepted or dispatched because the paperwork does not identify the hazard. The consignor must supply the UN number, proper shipping name, class, PG and emergency contact. Only then can the driver verify the package labels, select segregation and load the vehicle.
Traps
Accepting a trade name as the shipping name; loading before checking the declaration; carrying an emergency card for a different product; letting the training certificate expire; assuming the office keeps all documents when the driver must carry them.