Dangerous Goods by Road
Instructions in writing
As an aid during an accident emergency situation that may occur or arise during carriage, instructions
in writing in the form specified in 5.4.3.4 shall be carried in the vehicle crew’s cab and shall be readily
available.
These instructions shall be provided by the carrier to the vehicle crew in language(s) that each
member can read and understand before the commencement of the journey. The carrier shall ensure
that each member of the vehicle crew concerned understands and is capable of carrying out the
instructions properly.
Before the start of the journey, the members of the vehicle crew shall inform themselves of the
dangerous goods loaded and consult the instructions in writing for details on actions to be taken in the
event of an accident or emergency.
The instructions in writing shall correspond to the following four page model as regards its form and
contents.
INSTRUCTIONS IN WRITING ACCORDING TO ADR
Actions in the event of an accident or emergency
In the event of an accident or emergency that may occur or arise during carriage, the members of
the vehicle crew shall take the following actions where safe and practicable to do so:
- Apply the braking system, stop the engine and isolate the battery by activating the master switch
where available;
- Avoid sources of ignition, in particular, do not smoke, use electronic cigarettes or similar
devices or switch on any electrical equipment;
- Inform the appropriate emergency services, giving as much information about the incident or
accident and substances involved as possible;
- Put on the warning vest and place the self-standing warning signs as appropriate;
- Keep the transport documents readily available for responders on arrival;
- Do not walk into or touch spilled substances and avoid inhalation of fumes, smoke, dusts and
vapours by staying up wind;
- Where appropriate and safe to do so, use the fire extinguishers to put out small/initial fires
in tyres, brakes and engine compartments;
- Fires in load compartments shall not be tackled by members of the vehicle crew;
- Where appropriate and safe to do so, use on-board equipment to prevent leakages into the
aquatic environment or the sewage system and to contain spillages;
- Move away from the vicinity of the accident or emergency, advise other persons to move away and
follow the advice of the emergency services;
- Remove any contaminated clothing and used contaminated protective equipment and dispose of
it safely.
NOTE 1: For dangerous goods with multiple risks and for mixed loads, each applicable entry shall be observed.
NOTE 2: Additional guidance shown in column (3) of the table may be adapted to reflect the classes of dangerous
goods to be carried and their means of transport.
quipment for personal and general protection
to carry out general actions and hazard specific emergency actions
to be carried on board the transport unit in accordance with section 8.1.5 of ADR
The following equipment shall be carried on board the transport unit:
- for each vehicle, a wheel chock of a size suited to the maximum mass of the vehicle and to the
diameter of the wheel;
- two self-standing warning signs;
- eye rinsing liquida; and
for each member of the vehicle crew
- a warning vest;
- portable lighting apparatus;
- a pair of protective gloves; and
- eye protection.
Additional equipment required for certain classes:
- an emergency escape mask for each member of the vehicle crew shall be carried on board the
transport unit for danger label numbers 2.3 or 6.1;
- a shovelb;
- a drain sealb;
- a collecting containerb.
a Not required for danger label numbers 1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3.
b Only required for solids and liquids with danger label numbers 3, 4.1, 4.3, 8 or 9.
Contracting Parties shall provide the UNECE secretariat with the official translation of the
instructions in writing in their national language(s), in accordance with this section. The UNECE
secretariat shall make the
Retention of dangerous goods transport information
The consignor and the carrier shall retain a copy of the dangerous goods transport document and
additional information and documentation as specified in ADR, for a minimum period of three
months.
When the documents are kept electronically or in a computer system, the consignor and the carrier
shall be able to reproduce them in a printed form.
Example of a multimodal dangerous goods form
Example of a form which may be used as a combined dangerous goods declaration and container
packing certificate for multimodal carriage of dangerous goods.
MULTIMODAL DANGEROUS GOODS FORM
SPECIAL PROVISIONS
(Deleted)
Special provisions applicable to fumigated cargo transport units (UN 3359)
General
Fumigated cargo transport units (UN 3359) containing no other dangerous goods are not subject to
any provisions of ADR other than those of this section.