Movement of dangerous goods

Network Rail co-operates with railway undertakings by taking all reasonable actions for the safe and secure movement of dangerous goods traffic

Definition

Dangerous goods are those goods which are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property and the environment during carriage by rail and are classified according to the Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (‘RID’).

Amended and supplemented requirements are set out in Annex II to EU Directive 2008/68/EC and to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail.

Railway Undertakings may transport dangerous goods when provision is made within their Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) and approval obtain the Office of Rail & Road (ORR).

National regulations

The national regulations are The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2012 and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods: Approved Derogations and Transitional Provisions. Both sets of regulations apply to participants in the transport chain including Infrastructures Managers (IMs) and Railway Undertakings.

Various Railway Group Standards and documents deal with dangerous goods and complement these regulations. This includes the Working Manual For Rail Staff – Handling & Carriage of Dangerous Goods.

In addition, Part E of the Network Code requires notification to Network Rail where a Railway Undertaking proposes to transport materials on the rail network that are likely to cause environmental damage in the event of escape.

The movement of dangerous goods by rail is undertaken in both single or mixed freight loads, both subject to certain controls derived from the regulations and standards mentioned above.

For more information and further references related to these conditions, please refer to our Network Statement.