As of 31 December 1999, employers involved in the transport of goods will be required to appoint vocationally qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSA).  Employers who will be effected are those who consign dangerous goods for transport and load the goods themselves or are operators of vehicles carrying dangerous goods or those who load or unload dangerous goods while they are in transit to their final destination.  Employers can be exempted from the requirement if the transport of dangerous goods is not their main or secondary activity and are only occasionally involved in the transport of dangerous goods and the transport of dangerous goods does not create a significant risk to the health and safety of persons and the environment.  If dangerous goods are being moved below the load thresholds laid down in the CDGRoad Regulations, then employers also need not appoint a DGSA



Once appointed, a DGSA\'s responsibilities will be to provide the employer with advice on all areas of the transport of dangerous goods and to monitor compliance with the relevant legislation and related health and safety practices. The DGSA will also need to produce an annual report to the employer on their activities concerning the transport of dangerous goods, as well as producing reports on any accidents which occur and involve the transport of dangerous goods.