PPE, equipment & emergencies

ADR vehicles must carry fire extinguishers suitable for the vehicle and load — at least one for the engine/cab and more depending on the vehicle's weight. They must be in date and sealed. You also carry general safety gear: a wheel chock, two standing warning signs, and per-crew kit like a hi-vis vest, torch, eye protection and gloves. The instructions in writing list the exact extra items for the dangers carried.

Fire extinguishers sized to the vehicle's weight, in date and sealed.

If there is an accident or emergency: stop safely, switch off the engine, put on your hi-vis and warning signs, and avoid sources of ignition (no smoking, no flames). Warn other road users. Use your instructions in writing to take the right first actions for the goods. Alert the emergency services and tell them the UN numbers/classes on board. Do not take risks — protect yourself first, then others, then the environment. Avoid letting spills enter drains.

Stop safely, engine off, warning signs out, hi-vis on.

ADR sets a minimum total fire-extinguisher capacity based on the maximum weight of the transport unit. Up to three and a half tonnes you need four kilograms of dry powder or equivalent in total. Over three and a half and up to seven and a half tonnes you need eight kilograms. Over seven and a half tonnes you need twelve kilograms, including at least one two-kilogram extinguisher for the engine or cab. Extinguishers must be in date, sealed and inspected at the intervals set by the manufacturer and at least every two years. Pre-trip check is the moment to refuse if anything is wrong.

≤3.5 t → 4 kg total · 3.5–7.5 t → 8 kg · >7.5 t → 12 kg.

A small spill from one package is not an automatic evacuation, but it still needs the right first actions. Stop the vehicle in a safe place with hazards on, then isolate the area with the two warning signs and keep people back. Put your PPE on, protect any drains with a cover or mat from the spill kit, and identify the substance from the transport document. Follow the per-class actions in your Instructions in Writing, call the office, and call the emergency services if the spill is significant or in a public area. Never taste, smell or wash a spill into a drain.

Stop safely, hazards on, two warning signs out, hi-vis.

If a person is hurt: only attempt rescue if you can do so safely (no fumes/fire). Move them to fresh air if you can. Do not let casualties contaminate others. Call 999 fast and SAY: location, the UN number(s) and class(es) on board, what's happened, how many casualties. Read the description straight off the transport document so you don't get a digit wrong. Then await instructions. Keep bystanders well back. Note the time of the incident and details for the carrier's incident report. The DGSA will use this for the 1.8.5 report later.

Self-safety FIRST — don't enter a contaminated area without PPE.