How CTS Training became Dangerous Goods specialists

What do you do when you can’t find a local training company who matches your level of expertise and experience? You start our own training company, of course.

At least that’s how it went for Coopers Transport.

With more than 30 specialised tankers, our team’s knowledge and practical experience of Dangerous Goods is extensive. And when we starting training our own drivers, we started to hear from other local businesses who wanted to benefit from our experience. And so, CTS Training & Consultancy grew from here.

Craig was our first instructor, offering CPC, ADR and MHE courses from our training centre in Terrington St John, Wisbech.  Although he delivers less training now, Craig still shares his expertise as Director and Transport Manager.

ADR Training

Coopers Transport specialises in tankers carrying dangerous goods, so it’s no surprise that ADR training is CTS Training’s flagship course. We really do know first-hand what it takes to be an ADR driver because our drivers live it every day.

ADR is short for for Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises Dangereuses par Route or the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road.

The ADR driver qualification is a legal requirement for drivers involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by road. The course ensures that drivers are equipped with an understanding of the relevant classes of dangerous goods, and that they have the knowledge required to reduce the likelihood of an incident occurring.

The different ADR classes are:

• Class 1: Explosives
• Class 2: Gases
• Class 3: Flammable Liquids
• Class 4: Flammable Solids
• Class 5: Oxidising Substances & Organic Peroxides
• Class 6: Toxic & Infectious Substances
• Class 7: Radioactive Material
• Class 8: Corrosive Substances
• Class 9: Miscellaneous (for example, lithium batteries are covered in this class)

The ADR qualification is up to one week of training and is valid for a maximum of 5 years but can be renewed after the 4th year. Drivers must also make sure their qualification is renewed before six weeks of its expiry.

The SQA assesses ADR training on behalf of the Department for Transport. This ensures that all ADR training is consistent, accurate and follows UK standards. CTS Training are approved to deliver the qualification for classes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 for drivers of both packaged loads and tanks.

We can also offer a live tanker demonstration to ADR candidates who sit the tankers module on the ADR course.

The training ends with computer-based exams, and results are available straight away.

ADR Awareness Training

If you’re not a driver, but are involved in the transport of dangerous goods, then you need ADR Awareness training to gain an understanding of ADR, stay compliant and prevent incidents. This course is for transport planners, and those who pack, load and unload dangerous goods.

ADR Awareness is generally a one-day course with a short assessment at the end to make sure that you’ve understood the content.

As well as offering open courses at our training centre, we also deliver courses customised for your operation. Just let us know what classes you carry and whether it’s in packages or tanks, and we’ll take it from there.

DGSA

But why stop at ADR training? As well as being our first ADR instructor, Craig also passed his DGSA exams to be able to offer Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor services to our customers, and of course to act as DGSA for Coopers Transport.

If you transport or consign dangerous goods, you must have a certified DGSA.

A DGSA will monitor compliance with legal requirements, provide advice, offer assistance in the event of an incident involving dangerous goods, and will complete an annual audit to report on the performance of the operation.

Our DGSA team has expanded and if you’re a DGSA customer, you may have seen our consultant Steve D’Silva carrying out audits and offering advice.

Security of Dangerous Goods Training

One of our newest courses is Security Training. This is different from ADR because it focusses on the security risks involved in the handling of dangerous goods such as terrorist threats and cyber security.

There are two levels of training. Level 1 is for policy followers like drivers, warehouse personnel and transport office staff. Level 2 is for policy makers such as managers and supervisors.

It is now a legal requirement for anyone involved in the transport of dangerous goods to have security awareness training. Our course is Ofqual regulated, which means that it follows an approved training programme, delivered by a qualified instructor and provides a recognisable certificate.

The Level 1 course is 4 hours, and the Level 2 is 6 hours. Both courses end with a short examination which is completed on a computer.

CTS Shop

The final part of our Dangerous Goods offering is CTS Shop. If you’re not sure that your signage is correct, what ADR kit your vehicle should have, or what spill kit you need – CTS Shop is here to help. We will happily advise on and put together all the supplies required to run ADR vehicles. So, whether you’re carrying fertiliser or gas bottles, we’ve got your sorted.  Plus, we’ve tested all our products in our own vehicles so we know they’re up to scratch.

So whether you’re planning to start carrying dangerous goods, or you’ve been doing it for years like Coopers Transport, we are here to offer real-life support on 01945 880155 or [email protected]