Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)

Description

Persons who handle, offer for transport, or transport (i.e. handle, ship, carry or receive) dangerous goods must be adequately trained for the work they do. They must either: a) hold a valid Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Certificate of Training that is issued by their employer, or b) be directly supervised by a person who holds a TDG Certificate of Training.

TDG training consists of two parts:

• General education on the topics listed in Section 6.2 of Part 6 in the TDG Regulations. This e-course covers these topics.
• Job-specific training, usually provided by the employer, that is directly related to the tasks being performed, including information specific to the dangerous goods being offered for transport, handled or transported.

TDG Certificate of Training

Because TDG training is job-specific, the employer is responsible for determining the required training, assessing the worker’s knowledge and experience, and issuing the Certificate of Training. Refer to Transport Canada’s bulletin on TDG training requirements for further information.

Although a certificate of completion is provided when this e-course is successfully completed (final exam is passed), it does NOT serve as a valid TDG Certificate of Training. The formal TDG Certificate of Training must be issued by the employer when they determine the employee has a sound knowledge of all the topics (the educational component) and has received workplace specific training that directly relates to their duties with transporting dangerous goods. A sample TDG training certificate is available from Transport Canada’s TDG Bulletin on TDG training.

Course Content

This course provides information about the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations requirements. It includes a detailed description of all aspects of the TDG system for transportation of dangerous goods by road, and is recommended for employers, owners, managers, supervisors, TDG coordinators, and those who have responsibilities for determining the training requirements for employees who will be handling dangerous goods.

The course modules cover the required content listed in paragraphs (a) to (k) of Section 6.2 of the TDG Act and Regulations. This course includes the SOR/2020-23 TDG regulatory amendment. The course does NOT cover the 6.2(l) ICAO and 6.2(m) IMDG training requirements.

1. Overview: Provides an introduction and overview of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations. Includes information on training, classification, documentation, safety marks, means of containment, and emergencies.


2. Training, Inspection and Compliance: Describes the responsibilities of employers under the TDG Act and Regulations. Information is provided on training and certification of employees, plus information on inspection and enforcement of the TDG Act and Regulations by Transport Canada.


3. Classification of Dangerous Goods: Describes how dangerous goods are classified under the TDG Act and Regulations. Provides information on the nine hazard classes, and the relationship of TDG classes to shipping requirements and safety marks.


4. Documentation of Dangerous Goods: Explains the purpose of documentation, the required information elements for shipping documents, and the requirements for consignors, carriers and consignees. The information is based on the requirements in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations.


5. Safety Marks: Explains the types of safety marks, their purpose, and their requirements under the TDG Act and Regulations. Includes information on when and how the safety marks must be displayed, and when they can be removed or replaced.


6. Means of Containment: Describes the various kinds of “means of containment” (such as drums and tanks) for dangerous goods under the TDG Act and Regulations. Includes information on the UN Packaging system and other standards for means of containment, certification safety marks, and other requirements such as handling and storage of the means of containment.


7. Emergency Response: Describes the various types of dangerous occurrences and the requirements for reporting and responding to leaks and spills under the TDG Act and Regulations. Includes information on the use of the Emergency Response Guidebook, and the Emergency Response Assistance Plans (ERAPs).


8. Special Cases for Road Transport: Describes exemptions or partial exemptions from the requirements in the TDG Act and Regulations. Explains when special cases can be used.

Examples and quizzes reinforce learning and each module includes a self-assessment to test understanding of the material.

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

• Understand the requirements of the TDG system for employers, consignors, carriers and consignees
• Assess the requirements for training and certification of employees with TDG duties
• Understand Transport Canada's inspector role and what your rights are
• Establish effective procedures for the classification and documentation of dangerous goods
• Know when shipments are either exempt or partially exempt from the TDG system
• Select the appropriate means of containment
• Ensure that the correct safety marks are applied on the means of containment
• Develop systems for appropriate emergency planning and response
• Know when special reports are required

Average time to complete this course is about 10.5 hours.

Target Audience

• Strongly recommended for managers and supervisors with TDG responsibilities, and TDG coordinators.
• Recommended for employers and owners with TDG responsibilities
• Consignors, carriers, consignees and others with TDG responsibilities who prefer a comprehensive course on the TDG system

CCOHS also offers a Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG): An Overview course for managers, employees, and others who need to know about TDG, but are not responsible for TDG activities.

Refer to our fact sheet for additional information on TDG training.

Prerequisite

Prior technical knowledge of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) system is not a requirement. However, familiarity with commercial chemicals and the transportation industry is helpful.

Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of the course and passing a final, multiple-choice exam, learners will be able to print a certificate of completion.

System Requirements

This course is delivered online. View the minimum system requirements to take this course.

Review Process

CCOHS courses are unique in that they are developed by subject specialists in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible.

VuBiz Partnership

We partnered with Vubiz - an international leader in e-learning development - to create this e-course.

Vubiz offers other related e-learning courses that may also be of interest to you. Read about them in the Vubiz Catalogue of e-learning courses.