Implementation of Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations 2019 on the transport of Class 7 Dangerous Goods

The new Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (CDG19) came into force on 21st April 2019 with the specific requirements relating to transport radiation emergencies detailed in Schedule 2 will not come into effect until 21st April 2020.
The key requirements of the regulations are to consider the duties of key duty holders in relation to radiation emergencies, whether a radiation emergency may occur, to make emergency plans to prevent or mitigate the consequences of such a radiation emergency and to provide information before an event.

CDG09(19) require duty holders (both the Consignor and the Carrier) to have an Emergency Plan, detailing emergency arrangements appropriate to restrict the radiation exposure of any person that may be affected by a radiation emergency so far as is reasonably practicable, before the carriage of radioactive material takes place (this includes vehicle crew, the public, attending emergency services and any persons exposed to ionising radiation as a result of a transport accident involving radioactive material).

The new regulations require an update of existing Radiation Risk Assessments (meeting the requirements of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017) and Emergency Plans (which now has specific elements and requirements as stated in CDG19).
CDG19 deals with the requirements for emergency exposures, including disapplication of IRR17 dose limits and application of a dose restriction for emergency workers.

At a suitable interval not exceeding three years the Emergency Plans must be reviewed and revised if required together with testing the plans, taking reasonable steps to arrange for all those with a role in the emergency plan to participate in the test to such extent necessary to ensure that the test is effective including taking into account any lessons learned. The Duty Holders (Consignors and Carriers) must prepare a report on the outcome of their tests within 28 days of the test being completed and to send this report to Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) within a further 28 days.

If you have any queries relating to the carriage of Class 7 dangerous goods, please contact L2 for advice from one of our Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers (DGSAs) who are specialists in the transport of all forms of radioactive materials and wastes. As well as advice from our DGSAs and Radiation Protection Advisers (RPAs), L2 also provide training for anyone involved in the transport of Class 7 dangerous goods.