Factsheet 67 – May 2008

Dangerous goods carried by transport service operators or for direct reward

Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 (the 'Dangerous Goods Rule') sets out the legal requirements for transporting dangerous goods safely. The Rule applies to all people who transport dangerous goods, but how it affects you will depend on the nature, quantity and use of the goods.

This factsheet applies to licensed transport service operators and other people who carry dangerous goods for direct reward.

• If you transport dangerous goods as tools-of-trade, see Factsheet 68 Dangerous goods transported as tools-of-trade.
• If you carry dangerous goods for domestic or recreational use, see Factsheet 69 Dangerous goods transported for domestic or recreational use.

These factsheets provide an overview only – you must refer directly to the Dangerous Goods Rule for details, especially if you're transporting large quantities of dangerous goods. (Printed copies of the Rule are available from bookshops that sell legislation and some libraries.)

What are dangerous goods?

Dangerous goods for transport on land include substances and articles that have explosive, flammable, toxic, infectious or corrosive properties, and containers that have held dangerous goods. All classes of dangerous goods are described in Table A of the Rule, which is based on classifications in the United Nations recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods – Model regulations.

What are my responsibilities?

Everyone involved in transporting dangerous goods has to comply with the Rule. Responsibilities are allocated according to tasks, and you're responsible for all the tasks you do.

Consignors (manufacturers, importers or distributors) are responsible for:

• packaging, labelling and marking dangerous goods
• providing dangerous goods documents
• providing emergency response information.

Loaders are responsible for:

• checking packaging, labelling and marking for obvious defects
• preparing a load plan or container or vehicle packing certificate
• segregating incompatible dangerous goods
• complying with special loading instructions on the dangerous goods documents
• placarding the vehicle or freight container
• securing the load in the vehicle or freight container
• undergoing training appropriate for the nature, quantity and use of goods they handle.

Drivers or operators of road vehicles are responsible for:

• placarding the vehicle
• carrying dangerous goods documents in the holder on the driver's door
• making the documents available to an enforcement officer or emergency services personnel
• updating the schedule of quantities or load plan
• load security
• complying with parking restrictions
• stopping at railway crossings
• carrying emergency response information
• undergoing training specific to the goods they carry
• having a valid dangerous goods endorsement on their driver licence.

Drivers or operators of rail vehicles are responsible for:

• carrying dangerous goods documents in the holder on the rail vehicle
• making the documents available to an enforcement officer or emergency services personnel
• undergoing training specific to the nature, quantity and use of the dangerous goods they transport.

Employers are responsible for:

• ensuring their employees comply with the requirements of the Dangerous Goods Rule.

Everyone involved is responsible for:

• safely transporting dangerous goods and complying with the Dangerous Goods Rule
• stopping the transport if the packaging is leaking
• handing the dangerous goods documents to the next person responsible for transporting or handling the goods.

Anyone involved in transporting dangerous goods can ask that a package be opened to see if it contains dangerous goods, or refuse to handle or transport the package.

Packaging and identification

If you're a consignor, you must make sure the packaging is fit for its purpose, doesn't contaminate or react with the goods and is strong enough to hold the goods without leaking (under normal transport and handling conditions). Section 3 of the Rule refers to packaging performance standards or the requirements of other New Zealand authorities.

You must also make sure dangerous goods are marked and labelled to identify the hazard. This is explained in section 4 of the Rule.

Dangerous goods documents

Consignors must supply a dangerous goods declaration.

Sometimes, other dangerous goods documents are also required. Section 5 of the Rule specifies the documentation requirements, including when each document is needed. Forms that comply with the Rule are available from Standards New Zealand, but you can design your own forms and combine different dangerous goods documents on one page. Dangerous goods declarations for sea or air transport are acceptable for land transport as well, as long as they comply with the Rule.

Segregation

Loaders must comply with the requirements in section 6 of the Rule for the segregation of incompatible dangerous goods. This section also specifies conditions for using segregation devices, and when segregation isn't required (eg 'Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities', 'Consumer Commodities' or 'Small Packages' transported within the limits specified for these goods in section 2).

Placarding

Loaders and drivers must placard vehicles and freight containers. If you're a loader or driver, you must display placards whenever the load is over 50 kilograms or 50 litres. For some classes of dangerous goods, however, you have to display placards no matter what quantity you're carrying.

Section 7 of the Rule specifies the requirements for placarding vehicles, tank wagons, freight containers and bulk containers.

Examples of dangerous goods placards:

Transport procedures

Consignors, loaders and drivers must comply with transport procedures. These include securing the load, complying with parking restrictions and supplying or carrying emergency response information. Transport procedures are set out in section 8 of the Rule.

Training

Everyone involved in dangerous goods transport must undergo training appropriate to the nature, quantity and use of the goods they handle. Section 9 explains what training is required, including when you need an endorsement on your driver licence.

Low danger or small quantities of goods

• 'Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities' and 'Consumer Commodities' are dangerous goods of low or medium danger in small primary containers, and packaged for transport in strong outer packagings. They can be transported with some relaxation of controls, as long as you're not carrying more than one tonne of these products. The requirements for this category of dangerous goods are set out in section 2 of the Rule.
• 'Small Packages' of dangerous goods in limited quantities or consumer commodities may be transported without a dangerous goods declaration, placards on the vehicle or drivers having a dangerous goods endorsement on their driver licence, as long as the total quantity doesn't exceed 50 kilograms.
• Some explosives can also be transported under the small packages provisions. Refer to section 2 of the Rule for requirements for small packages.

Technical information to comply with the Rule

Not everyone involved in dangerous goods transport will need technical information, but if you're a manufacturer, importer or distributor of dangerous goods, you will have to refer to one of the documents incorporated in the Rule to meet your responsibilities. New Zealand Standard NZS 5433:2007 Transport of Dangerous Goods on Land provides information on:

• classification of dangerous goods for transport
• maximum inner package sizes for dangerous goods in limited quantities
• packaging performance standards
• specifications for hazard warning labels
• the United Nations list of UN numbers and proper shipping names for goods classified as dangerous for transport, and the list of special provisions.

The table below is a guide to the sections of the Dangerous Goods Rule that apply to you, according to the nature and quantity of the goods.

Dangerous goods transported by licensed transport service operators or for direct reward, whether or not by a licensed transport service operator
Nature and quantity	Packaging	Labelling and marking	Documents	Segregation	Placards	Transport procedures	Training
Small packages. Section 2.4, 2.5	Section 3.2(2), 3.2(3)	Section 2.4(1)(c) 4.2(4)(b)	Not required (up to 50 kg). Section 2.4(2)(a)	Section 2.4(1)(d), 2.4(1)(e), 2.4(2)(b), 2.4(2)(c)	Not required (up to 50 kg). Section 2.4(2)(d)	Section 8	GSR³ Section 9.1 (up to 50 kg)
DGLQ¹ and Con Coms² Section 2.3	Section 3.2(2)	Section 2.3(1)(f), 2.3(1)(g), 2.3(2)(a)	Section 2.3(1)(h), 2.3(1)(i), 5.3(2)	Section 2.3(1)(j), 2.3(2)(b), 2.3(2)(c)	Section 7	Section 8	Section 9
All other dangerous goods	Section 3	Section 4	Section 5	Section 6	Section 7	Section 8	Section 9

¹ DGLQ: Dangerous Goods in Limited Quantities. These are dangerous goods packaged in small quantities as specified in Schedule 2 (but excluding goods in Schedule 2A), and complying with requirements in Clause 2.3.

² Con Coms: Consumer Commodities. These are DGLQ packaged for retail sale for personal care, recreational or domestic use.

³ GSR: General Safety Requirements. These are set out at the beginning of each section of the Rule.

Where you can find out more

• Refer to Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005.
• For information about NZS 5433:2007 Transport of Dangerous Goods on Land or SNZ HB76:2008 Dangerous Goods – Initial Emergency Response Guide, or for dangerous goods declaration forms, contact Standards New Zealand (0800 735 656).
• For information about driver training or the Operators' Handbook for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, contact Tranzqual ITO (0800 478 257, office@tranzqual.org.nz).
• Read the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNRTDG) on the UNECE website.

To contact NZ Transport Agency:

• email us: info@nzta.govt.nz
• phone us: 0800 699 000
• write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141.