ADR VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATE

OTHER COURSES: -

* Large Goods Vehicle (L.G.V)

* HIAB

* Forklift Truck (R.T.I.T.B Approved)

* Forklift Instructor

* Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor D.G.S.A)

* Certificate of Professional Competence (C.P.C)

* First Aid at Work

* Motorcycle Training

Nightfreight Training Services

Sandringham Court

Network 65 Business Park

Burnley

Lancashire

BB11 5RQ

DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES DRIVER TRAINING

Introduction

The Road Traffic (Training of Drivers of Vehicles Carrying Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1992 came into force on 1st July 1993 to implement EC Directive 89/684. Since these Regulations have been in force updates and amendments have taken place. The most recent amendment was March 1999.

To obtain a certificate, drivers will have to attend an approved course and pass an approved examination set by City & Guilds.

Certificates will be issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), on behalf of the Department of Transport. These certificates are valid for five years both internationally and in the UK.

The drivers must have the certificates in their possession whilst transporting dangerous substances as stated in the regulations:

Department of Transport Approval

Only those organisations whose instructors are listed by the Department of Transport on their Approved List are authorised to offer Vocational Certificates training and City & Guilds examinations.

Approval is conditional upon meeting the criteria laid down by the Department of Transport and is subject to an annual renewal. Approved training providers are subject to standards monitoring by consultants acting on behalf of the approving body.

Our organisation only uses instructors who are authorised to provide training and examinations for all modules

MODULES AND IMPLICATIONS

In order to comply with the new Driver Training Regulations every driver carrying regulated dangerous substances on in-scope vehicles will need to complete a course made up of a series of modules from the list below. The precise extent of the course and appropriate City and Guilds examinations will be determined by the content of the driver's work.

There are a total of 12 modular examinations

MODULE 1 - Any class of Dangerous Goods in Tanks or Packages

(CORE MODULE)

MODULE 2 - Any class of Dangerous Goods in Road Tankers and Tank Containers

(TANKERS CORE)

MODULE 3 - Any class of Dangerous Goods in Packages

(PACKAGES CORE)

MODULE 4 - CLASS 1 SUBSTANCES - Explosives *

MODULE 5 - CLASS 2 SUBSTANCES - Compressed Gasses

MODULE 6 - CLASS 3 SUBSTANCES - Flammable Liquids

MODULE 7 - CLASS 4 SUBSTANCES - Flammable solid

MODULE 8 - CLASS 5 SUBSTANCES - Oxidising Agents and Organic Peroxides

MODULE 9 - CLASS 6 SUBSTANCES - Toxic, Harmful and Infectious.

MODULE 10- CLASS 7 SUBSTANCES - Radioactives *

MODULE 11- CLASS 8 SUBSTANCES - Corrosives

MODULE 12- CLASS 9 SUBSTANCES - Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles.

*Modules only taken by special arrangement through Nightfreight Training Services.

INITIAL TRAINING COURSES ONLY

These exam papers are used to replace the individual exam papers as above.

MODULE 13 - CLASSES COMMON CHARACTERISTICS.

MODULE 14 - CLASSES GROUP A - 2,3,6,8.

MODULE 15 - CLASSES GROUP B - 4, 5 & 9

All drivers must take module 1 which is mandatory. They must than take a minimum of either module 2 or module 3 and one other module. Below are a few examples of how training can be geared to the requirement of the driver's job.

1. A driver distributing LPG cylinders would need to take the examinations for Modules 1, 3 and 5.

2. A Tanker driver conveying petroleum spirit would need to take the examinations for Modules 1, 2 and 6.

3. A driver conveying explosives would need to take the examinations for Modules 1, 3 and 4.

4. A tanker driver in general haulage would need to take the examinations for Modules 1, 2. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12.

5. A driver in general haulage carrying packaged goods would need to take the examinations for Modules 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12.

6. A driver who conveys compressed gasses in both tankers and packages would need to take the examinations for Modules 1, 2, 3 and 5.

It is very important to ensure that drivers are entered for the correct number of examinations because they will be restricted to conveying only those classes of dangerous substances shown on their Vocational Certificate.

It is an offence for a tanker (or explosives) driver now to be engaged in carrying regulated dangerous goods on public roads if not in possession of a valid Vocational Certificate showing the class of substance on the vehicle at that time. This is also the case with packaged goods since 1st February 1995.

Clearly any non-compliance by tanker (or explosives) drivers with current Vocational Certificate requirements needs to be corrected quickly and, it would be wise for companies and owner-operators to consider their needs now and implement an action plan.

Currently there is a 6 week delay between attending a course and sitting the examinations before D.V.L.A issue the Certificate. As the number of drivers being trained increases it is probable that this delay will get longer. Clearly, the underlying message is not to wait.

THE EXAMINATIONS

There are 12 modular examinations to choose from. As was indicated earlier they should be chosen for their relevance to the driver's work.

All examinations are taken on the last day of the training course. All questions are multiple choice, i.e. tick the box questions where the candidate is given four alternatives. There should be no undue problems for drivers properly trained and prepared for the examination.

The number of questions per module varies between 10 and 20 and to obtain the Vocational Certificate the minimum numbers of examinations to be taken and passed is 3, for example: -

MODULE 1 - Core

MODULE 2 - Tanker Module, or

MODULE 3 - Packaged Goods Module, and

One from MODULES 4 - 15, i.e. one of the dangerous substance classes.

Candidates who fail a particular module are eligible to re-sit it within 16 weeks without having to take further training.

However, it should be noted that no Vocational Certificate could be issued if the Core and either the Tanker or Packaged Goods modules are not successfully completed.

Once the candidate is in possession of a Vocational Certificate obtained by passing the examinations for at least the Core, Tankers or Packages plus one Class, additional modules can be added should his/her work circumstances or employment change. The additional modules may be taken singly or in groups.

COURSE PROGRAMME

MODULE 1 - Drivers carrying any class of dangerous goods in tanks or packages.

1.1 Scope and application of national and international rules and regulations and exemption limits.

1.2 Chemicals and classification system.

1.3 a) Safe loading and unloading requirements

b) Stowage and segregation.

c) Documentation

d) Information in writing.

e) Check procedures before and during journey.

f) Parking requirements.

g) Breakdown procedures.

1.4 Personal protection.

1.5 Emergency aid

1.6 Fire

1.7 Emergency procedures

1.8 Environmental damage and safety risks. Examination Time 40 MINUTES

MODULE 2 - Drivers carrying any classes of dangerous goods by road tankers and tank containers.

2.1 Scope and application of national and international rules and exemption limits.

2.2 Loading and unloading liquids and gasses.

2.3 The effect of a moving load on the handling of tank vehicles.

2.4 Operating procedures specific to tankers and tank containers required by national and international journey. The rules and approved codes of practice.

2.5 Safeguards provided on tanks and tank containers

2.6 Static electricity generation. Examination Time 30 MINUTES

MODULE 3 - Drivers carrying any classes of dangerous goods in packages.

3.1 Objectives.

3.2 a) Conveyance of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996

b) Movements in Europe - A.D.R.

c) Movement by sea - I.M.D.G.

3.3 Packages

a) Definitions

b) Purposes

3.4 Types of Packages

a) Drums

b) Plastic and glass containers

c) Sacks

d) Gas Cylinders

e) Special Packages.

3.5 Loading, unloading, stowage and segregation

a) When rules apply

b) Procedures before loading/unloading

c) Loading/unloading

d) Stowage

e) Security of the load.

f) Segregation

g) Summary

3.6 During the journey

a) Marking the vehicle

b) Marking under A.D.R.

c) Marking under I.M.D.G.

d) Journey checks

e) Parking

f) Additional A.D.R. requirements

g) Breakdown/incidents on the road

h) Requests for information by police or D.T.P. examiners.

3.7 Legislation

a) Drivers responsibilities

b) Operators responsibilities

c) Shippers responsibilities Examination Time 25 MINUTES

MODULE 5 - Drivers carrying Class 2 - gasses, compressed, liquefied, dissolved under pressure or refrigerated.

5.1 Nature of goods

5.2 Hazardous effects.

5.3 Possible other hazardous effects associated with Class 2 gasses

5.4 Careful handling of all containers

5.5 Dangers of containers overheating

5.6 Personal Protective Equipment. Examination Time 25 MINUTES

MODULE 6 - Drivers carrying Class 3 flammable liquids

6.1 Characteristics which make certain liquids flammable

6.2 Flammable liquids miscible or immiscible with water

6.3 Characteristics of flammable vapours

6.4 Density. Flashpoint and Volatility

6.5 Hazardous effects

6.6 Other hazards associated with flammable liquids and vapours.

6.7 Preventative measures. Examination Time 25 MINUTES

MODULE 7 - Drivers carrying Class 4 - flammable solids, substances in contact with water that emit flammable gasses.

7.1 Definitions of the three divisions that comprise Class 4

7.2 Potential dangers from fire and explosion

7.3 Others hazards associated with Class 4 goods.

7.4 Preventative and control measures. Examination Time 15 MINUTES

MODULE 8 - Drivers carrying oxidising substances, organic peroxides.

8.1 Oxidising agent sub-division

a) Oxidising substances (5.1).

b) Organic peroxides (5.2).

c) Limitations.

d) Application.

e) Supervision of vehicles.

8.2 Hazardous effects of oxidising substances

8.3 Hazardous effects of organic peroxides

8.4 Other hazards

8.5 Segregation

8.6 Control and emergency temperatures

8.7 Personal Protective Equipment. Examination Time 15 MINUTES

MODULE 9 - Drivers carrying Class 6 toxic and infectious substances.

9.1 The two divisions that comprise Class 6

9.2 Hazardous effects

9.3 Difference between chronic and acute effects.

9.4 Other harmful effects of goods in Class 6

9.5 Preventative measures.

9.6 Personal Protective Equipment.

9.7 Decontamination in the event of exposure

9.8 Prevention of environmental contamination.

9.9 Segregation from food stuffs. Examination Time 15 MINUTES

MODULE 11 - Drivers carrying Class 8 corrosives

11.1 Corrosive substances with a strong chemical reaction.

11.2 Difference between acid and alkalis.

11.3 Hazardous effects.

11.4 Effects of corrosives on human tissues.

11.5 Other harmful effects.

11.6 Preventative measures

11.7 Personal protection.

11.8 Neutralisation and/or decontamination following spillage. Examination Time 15 MINUTES

MODULE 12 - Drivers carrying Class 9 miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.

12.1 Substances that fall within Class 9 and why.

12.2 Characteristics of Class 9 substances.

12.3 Subsidiary hazards - toxicity, flammability, corrosivity.

12.4 Asbestos.

12.5 Bitumen.

12.6 PCB's

12.7 Information in writing

12.8 Loading and load containment.

12.9 Control of environmentally hazardous substances.

12.10 Class specific protective clothing and equipment. Examination Time 15 MINUTES

COURSE PROGRAMME/TIMETABLE

COURSE MODULE

Initial

Monday

Core + Practical exercise

Tuesday

Core, Packages + Practical

Wednesday

Classes 2, 3, 4, 5 & 9

Thursday

Tankers

Friday

Exams

Refresher

Wednesday

Core + First Aid Practical Exercise + Packages

Thursday

Fire Exercise + Classes

Friday

Tankers + Exams

Once again it should be noted that it is vital that all modules are taken that are relevant to the present and likely future needs of the driver. Drivers will be restricted to carrying only those substances shown on their Vocational Certificate. It is an offence to carry substances not shown on the Vocational Certificate.

For advice on which modules need to be taken by particular students and on how this will affect course length contact the administration team at Nightfreight Training.

REFRESHER TRAINING

The initial ADR vocational certificate is valid for 5 years. A three-day refresher ADR course can be taken to extend the certificates for a further 5 years.

The refresher course can be taken within 12 months of the original expiry date but not less than 6 weeks. The new certificate will then be issued from the expiry date of the previous certificate i.e.

Initial Certificate expiry date is 16th July 1999

Able to attend refresher course from 17th July 1998

The minimum period for refresher training would be 5th June 1999

If the vocational certificate expiry date is less than the minimum 6 weeks the individual will need to attend the initial course again.

Please contact the administration team for course prices and availability.

Tele: 01282 420358

mailto:training@nightfreight.co.uk