Frequently Asked Questions
What are the legal requirements to transport Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Materials in RSA?
Vehicles are regulated in terms of registration, design, construction and fitment with regard to placards, signage and other specified safety equipment.
Drivers of all Dangerous Goods vehicles must be trained annually by an accredited training provider under SAQA Unit Standard 123259.
Drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles (>3.500kg GVM) must obtain a Professional Drivers Permit (PrDP) category G (Goods) and D (Dangerous Goods) every two years after undergoing a criminal record check and medical assessment by a General Practitioner. Certain prescribed documents must accompany all loads of “Dangerous Goods”, such as Transport Emergency Cards and Dangerous Goods Declarations. Hazardous Goods being transported must be compatible whilst loaded on a vehicle and some goods must be separated to prevent negative reactions when spilled.
How are the requirements regulated?
Vehicles are regulated in terms of registration, design, construction and fitment with regard to placards, signage and other specified safety equipment.
Drivers of all Dangerous Goods vehicles must be trained annually by an accredited training provider under SAQA Unit Standard 123259.
Drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles (>3.500kg GVM) must obtain a Professional Drivers Permit (PrDP) category G (Goods) and D (Dangerous Goods) every two years after undergoing a criminal record check and medical assessment by a General Practitioner. Certain prescribed documents must accompany all loads of “Dangerous Goods”, such as Transport Emergency Cards and Dangerous Goods Declarations. Hazardous Goods being transported must be compatible whilst loaded on a vehicle and some goods must be separated to prevent negative reactions when spilled.
How are the requirements regulated?
– National Road Traffic Act, (NRTA) and National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR)
– South African National Standards (SANS Codes) which are specifically referred to in the NRTR under Regulation 273A
– Municipal By-Laws (Emergency Services By-Laws)
– Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
– Hazardous Substances Act
– Explosives Act
– Fertilizer, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act
Where do I register or re-register my vehicle to allow the conveyance of Dangerous Goods?
These registrations are done at the local License Department in the area where the vehicle is normally parked or where the vehicle is continuously used for a period exceeding 3 months.
Some local authority License Departments first require that the vehicle undergoes an inspection at a designated Fire Department and once a Municipal Dangerous Goods Permit is issued, only then will the vehicle be allowed to be registered, licensed and declared roadworthy. Other License Departments will first perform the registration/re-registration, licensing and roadworthy checks prior to the issue of a Municipal Dangerous Goods Permit.
ALL vehicles, irrespective of GVM, must be registered as Dangerous Goods carriers and must display an Operator Card to this effect (Category D).
Is a permit required to transport Dangerous Goods and which classes of goods require such a permit?
The majority of Municipal Authorities will recognize permits issued by other local authorities, whilst a few demand that Operators obtain permits from them if they wish to travel through those areas.
Is any driver allowed to drive a vehicle conveying a Dangerous Goods load in excess of exempt quantities?
Drivers of HMV who wish to obtain a PrDP category D must be minimum 25 years of age. This effectively means that drivers of light delivery vehicles (LDV’s) may drive this class of vehicle with an ordinary Code EB / B licence, as long as they carry proof of training. Drivers usually receive a training card from the relevant training provider for this purpose.
Where can drivers receive training to obtain a PrDP category ―D‖ to be allowed drive a vehicle conveying Dangerous Goods?
Unit Standard 123259 is strictly followed for the training of Drivers in the transportation of Dangerous Goods at Hazchemwize Pty Ltd and training is conducted at our approved training facility in Spartan, Kempton Park or is available on request nationwide.
What must a Dangerous Goods vehicle be fitted with to ensure that it complies with National Road Traffic Act and incorporated SANS Codes of Practice?
-Fire extinguishers and quick-release brackets mounted on the exterior (L/R) – (DCP variety, size: 9kg) – Truck Tractors (1), All other goods vehicles / trailers / semi-trailers (2)
– Orange Warning Diamond and Bracket on the front (must be removable when vehicle is nominally empty / unloaded)
– 3 Placards with brackets fitted to both sides and rear of each vehicle / trailer (must be removable when vehicle is nominally empty / unloaded)
– Battery Cut-off switch (Isolator switch) mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, in close proximity to the battery / battery pack.
– Battery cover (for vehicles with externally-mounted batteries)
– Designated Space (orange container, marked “DOCUMENTS”, mounted centre of the cab. (Documents for current loads only kept here whilst in transit)
– Prohibition Signs on both sides and rear (may be permanent) – No Smoking, No Naked Flame, No Cell phone
– High sides (600mm) – rails or fixtures that prevent loads from becoming dislodged and spilled in transit. Applies to flatbeds, drop sides, open load-body and curtain-side vehicles.
Which documents are required to be carried onboard vehicles conveying Dangerous Goods?
– Transport Emergency Card/s (for each product carried on the vehicle, as per UN number and specific description of product. Compiled from information in the ERG 2012 and relevant MSDS),
– Dangerous Goods Declaration/s (for each Consignee to whom goods are being delivered),
– Material Safety Data Sheets (recommended, but not compulsory),
– Route Map/s or Route Instructions (not compulsory),
– Explosives Permit/s (If vehicle is conveying Class 1 substances)
– Cross-Border Permits (if applicable),
– Radioactive Permits (if vehicle is conveying Class 7 substances)
– Waste Transporter Permit (If any substance is transported as regulated waste),
– Waste Manifests and Waste Destruction Certificates (if applicable under the NEMA Act)
What happens when an organization hires, leases or rents vehicles to convey their Dangerous Goods?
Issues such as Civil Liability insurance cover must be addressed in advance to eliminate potential legal and environmental problems after the occurrence of an incident involving dangerous goods.
In the absence of a properly constituted contract, the law Courts will automatically revert to the prescriptions of SANS 10231: 2010 and other relevant legislation.
Are low hazard goods also regulated and what signage do I require?
Emergency information for road vehicles are strongly urged to do so in the spirit of Responsible Care, good environmental/social business practice.
Please Note: Low Hazard products are not regulated products with UN Numbers assigned to them, nor are they listed in SANS 10228: 2012 Edition 6.