Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser

As a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) you ensure that companies transporting hazardous materials — such as chemicals, flammable liquids, explosives, or radioactive substances — comply with Irish and EU regulations governing the safe movement of these goods by road, rail, and sea. You inspect consignments and vehicles, review documentation, and advise management on how to handle, load, and transport dangerous goods correctly and legally. A core part of your role involves preparing annual safety reports, investigating any incidents or regulatory infringements, and delivering training or written instructions to staff on correct safety procedures. You liaise closely with transport managers, logistics coordinators, warehouse operatives, and regulatory authorities such as the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Your work helps protect employees, the public, and the environment from the serious risks associated with hazardous materials in transit.

Most DGSAs in Ireland hold a Level 7 or Level 8 degree in a relevant discipline such as logistics and supply chain management, environmental health, chemistry, or engineering, though the mandatory qualification is the DGSA certificate issued under EU Directive 2008/68/EC and tested by the RSA in Ireland. Useful Leaving Certificate subjects include Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Geography, which build an understanding of hazardous materials and risk. Degree courses in logistics, transport management, or environmental science are offered at institutions such as TU Dublin, ATU, and TUS. Alternatively, experienced transport or logistics professionals without a degree can qualify by passing the DGSA examination, making it accessible via a further education or industry background at QQI Level 5–6. The DGSA certificate must be renewed every five years through a re-examination, so continuing professional development is an ongoing requirement. Membership of professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ireland is advantageous for career progression.