Dangerous goods are substances and items identified as hazardous for transport and present a risk to people, property and the environment.
Examples of HSE dangerous goods include:
- clinical waste
- specimens
- laboratory waste
- pharmacy waste
- medical gases
- chemical waste
Dangerous goods legislation
Dangerous goods legislation provides for the safety of people handling dangerous goods, the public, property and the environment.
The regulations place specific duties on the HSE as a consignor, carrier, packer, loader, un-loader and driver.
The regulations also place a legal duty on the HSE to appoint Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors (DGSAs) to advise on the safe transport of dangerous goods.
The requirements for consigning and transporting patient specimens and other biological materials related to human health care are specified in the HSE National Guidelines for the Preparation for Transport of Patient Specimens and other Biological Materials.
This guideline applies to staff who prepare patient specimens and other biological materials for transport.
HSE pharmacy departments and aseptic units
Guidelines for the segregation, packaging and removal of waste medicines (GD:019:00) documents a system for disposal of waste medicines that complies with transport regulations; while streamlining the process for HSE hospital pharmacies.
The guideline applies to:
- unused or expired medicines and related products from the pharmacy department
- medicines including patient medicines returned from the wards provided there is no additional infection risk
- waste generated in aseptic units - wastes contaminated with cytotoxic drugs residue (includes used vials, syringes, needles, PPE, wipes and disinfectant bottles)
Note: the guideline may also be applied to areas where monoclonal antibodies are prepared under aseptic conditions in laminar flow hoods.
Implementation of the guidelines will continue to be supported by the National Health and Safety Function (NHSF).
Resources to support you in implementation:
- Disposal of waste medicines in limited quantities (LQ) bin checklist
- Disposal of aseptic isolator sharps bin checklist
- Disposal of flammable waste checklist
- Non-infectious sharps bin label
- Pharmacy personnel instructional video
- Instructional video on pharmacy waste guidelines
Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) role
The role of the DGSA is to:
- monitor compliance with the requirements governing the transport of dangerous goods
- advise on the transport of dangerous goods
- prepare an annual report in relation to the carriage of dangerous goods
Under ADR regulations, a site that consigns more than 333 kg per load of unspecified UN 3291 clinical waste must formally appoint a DGSA.
Sites that do not meet this criteria must still comply with the dangerous goods regulations and may seek advice or evaluation from a DGSA to ensure compliance.
SAGN User Guide for Regional Dangerous Goods Safety Advisory Services provides suppliers information and service specifications.
Services must fill out the Notification Activation Form in Annex 3 of the SAGN.
Related content
Disposal of waste medicines in limited quantities (LQ) bin checklist
Disposal of aseptic isolator sharps bin checklist
Disposal of flammable waste checklist
Transport of uncleaned reusable invasive medical devices (RIMD) by Road Safety Alert
Guidelines for the preparation for transport of patient specimens and other biological materials
UN 3373 Category B biological substances – P650 packaging checklist (liquid specimens)
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