The Transport of Dangerous Goods (Safety Advisers) Regulations (Northern Ireland) came into force in 2000.  This legislation requires businesses that handle, process or transport dangerous goods on a regular basis to appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA).  

Most companies that carry dangerous goods in tanks or packages must employ a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor or use the services of a third-party consultant.  

The full requirements and the exceptions are outlined by the Department for Transport here.

More information about DGSA vocational training certification can be found here.

The carriage of dangerous goods by road, rail, inland waterway, sea and air is regulated internationally by European agreements, directives and regulations, and parallel legislation in the UK.

UN Regulations recognise nine classes of hazardous material:

• Class 1 – Explosives


• Class 2 – Gases


• Class 3 - Flammable Liquids (Petrol / Oil)


• Class 4 - Flammable Solids


• Class 5 - Oxidising Substances (Fertilisers), Organic Peroxides


• Class 6 - Toxic and Infectious Substances


• Class 7 - Radioactives (Not available)


• Class 8 – Corrosives


• Class 9 - Miscellaneous

You can read more on dangerous goods classification on the HSE website.

Most companies that handle, process or transport dangerous goods on a regular basis must employ a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor or use the services of a third-party consultant (some exceptions apply).  DGSA training is for the following:

• Any company wishing to upskill an existing employee to act on its behalf as a DGSA


• Any individual wanting to qualify as a DGSA for career progression


• Anyone wishing to offer DGSA consultancy to companies that handle, process or transport dangerous goods

Holding a DGSA qualification will open doors to a variety of industries from chemical manufacturers and oil distribution companies through to organisations transporting corrosives and toxic waste substances.

Completing a DGSA course with TTS will enable you to understand the legislation and regulations regarding the transportation of substances within the nine main classes of dangerous goods and will prepare you for the Scottish Qualifications Authority examinations (the Department for Transport’s chosen examining agent). 

Yes, upon completion of the DGSA training and successfully passing the relevant exams, you will achieve a DGSA vocational training certificate.

The DGSA training course takes seven days to complete, followed by an exam on a separate date, which you will need to set aside a full day to attend. 

The exam venues are organised by SQA.  A list of venues and other information about sitting the exams can be found here.

The initial DGSA certification lasts for five years before expiring.  At this point the DGSA must sit another examination to renew the qualification.  Upon passing this test the qualification will be renewed.

DGSA training is usually delivered at our training facility in Nutts Corner but on-site training can be arranged on request.

The exam venues are organised by SQA.  A list of venues can be found here.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of the registered charity, Transport Training Board for Northern Ireland, TTS has a genuine, longstanding interest in facilitating best practice and the highest levels of compliance for the industries that we serve.

We are recognised as an industry-leading training provider, supporting the Northern Irish transport industry with trusted career development.  Because our sole attention is on the transport and retail motor sectors in Northern Ireland, we have a real depth of knowledge, backed by over 50 years’ experience.

We focus on providing class-leading expertise, purpose-built facilities and modern teaching methods to deliver relevant skills for the 21st century.  

As well as delivering training at our conveniently located and modern Nutts Corner facility, with ample free parking, we can also provide on-site training as required.