Dangerous goods

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
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 and unloader.

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.

Overview of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations as they apply to the HSE provides an overview of the main dangerous goods that may be encountered in healthcare settings. It outlines the general principles, requirements and responsibilities that apply to the carriage of such goods from a transport perspective.

Preparation for transporting UN3291 clinical waste

HSE National Guideline for the Preparation for Transport of UN 3291 Clinical Waste Unspecified, N.O.S.

This guideline describes the preparation requirements for the transportation of waste from HSE facilities deemed to pose an infection risk and classified as 3291 Clinical Waste Unspecified, N.O.S. (category B infectious waste).

Preparation for transferring patient specimens and other biological materials

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.

UN 3373 Category B biological substances – P650 packaging checklist (liquid specimens) (PDF, 440 KB, 1 page).

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.

Resources to help you with implementation:

Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) role

The DGSA's role 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

Requirement to appoint a DGSA

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.

Get details of the suppliers and specification of services in the SAGN User Guide for Regional Dangerous Goods Safety Advisory Services to HSE and all HSE Funded Organisations.

Services must fill out the Annex 3 Notification to Activate Services Form.

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