Transporting Dangerous Goods and the risks of non-compliant documents

by Nigel Lewis on 2010-06-30

Do you check every Dangerous Good (DG) Declaration before it enters the supply-chain regardless of whether your consignment is to be transported by land or sea? If you don’t then there’s a good chance it will hurt your business!

It is expected of all shippers providing DG documentation that “the contents are fully and accurately described” to the “applicable International and National Government Legislation”. The DG declaration is a legal document! Are you confident your DG certificates would stand up to the scrutiny of the Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit (CVIU) for example?
Greater awareness of the DG Regulations and stricter controls from carriers and shipping lines is resulting in an increasing number of consignments being questioned, delayed and rejected.

Dangerous Goods Management Limited’s (DGM) General Manager Steve Wilkinson say’s “as there is no other organisation in NZ with the level of daily contact with DG shippers and shipments as DGM we feel compelled to promote and encourage good practice, due to the work we carry out on behalf of the logistics community, on a regular basis DGM receives DG Declarations which do not comply, this concerns us as a leading ‘face to face’ advocate of DG compliance”.

To alleviate these concerns DGM have developed DiGicert© a user friendly, interactive computer-based certification programme which will reduce risk and increase efficiency. By simplifying the compulsory requirement of providing correct documentation and in particular through replacing those time consuming hand-written road and sea-freight DG Declarations (which have a tendency to be the main offenders) DGM hope’s to lessen the associated hazards of incorrect non-compliant documentation resulting in delayed freight, emergency services being faced with misinformation, shippers and carriers loss of credibility and the impact of the subsequent confusion which all too often leads to significant fines for drivers, operators and the employer of up to $50,000!

The DiGicert© programme contains functions that allow for customised defaults and storage of the shipper’s dangerous goods product information specific to each company's operation. Once this information has been entered onto their system, compliant Declarations are produced every time providing a seamless integration into their existing dangerous goods supply-chain. An additional convenience is provided in the various package options that are available to best suit the operational demands of individual companies.
Steve explained “the DiGicert© concept is already gathering momentum with a great deal of positive feedback received from shippers, shipping lines and carriers requesting further consultation for their particular needs”.

“DGM look forward to supporting everyone involved in the supply-chain in any way we can, including communicating with the client’s suppliers if necessary to promote best practice and alert them of the consequences of non-compliance. Steve is also keen to point out “DiGicert© is not a substitute for the mandatory dangerous goods training that is provided by DGM nor does it change your legal obligations - however we’re confident it will make your life that much easier in assisting you to fulfil your DG responsibilities!”.

For a no obligation demonstration and to discuss how DGM can support your organisation to enhance and promote compliance please contact Andrew at operations@dgm.co.nz or phone 0800 256 030

Stephen Wilkinson | General Manager - DGM
Dangerous Goods Management Ltd
132 Pavilion Drive, Airport Oaks, Mangere, Auckland
DDI: +64 9 255 1793 | DGM Phone: +64 9 275 5559
Mob: +64 0275 544 588 | Fax: +64 9 275 6188
stephen@dgm.co.nz| www.dgm.co.nz