Part 6 of the TDG Regulations is about training. It is short, but it is the part that decides who may do the work.
Who must be trained
Under section 6.1, a person who handles, offers for transport or transports dangerous goods must either:
- be adequately trained and hold a training certificate, or
- do the work in the presence of, and under the direct supervision of, a person who is adequately trained and holds a training certificate.
The same rule is also written for employers: an employer must not direct or allow an employee to do these tasks unless one of those two conditions is met.
What "adequately trained" means
Section 6.2 says a person is adequately trained when they have a sound knowledge of the topics that relate directly to their duties and to the dangerous goods they are expected to handle or transport. The topics include:
- classification and shipping names, and how to use the Schedules,
- the shipping document,
- dangerous goods marks (labels and placards),
- safety requirements for means of containment,
- the ERAP (Emergency Response Assistance Plan) rules,
- reporting requirements,
- safe handling and transportation practices, including the characteristics of the goods,
- the proper use of equipment,
- the reasonable emergency measures to take if goods are released.
The word that matters is "relate directly to the person's duties". A forklift operator who loads drums needs different knowledge from a driver on a long-haul route. Training must fit the real job.
Who issues the training certificate
Here is the point that is most often misunderstood. Under section 6.3, the employer issues the training certificate. No government office hands it out and there is no national TDG licence. The employer issues it when it has reasonable grounds to believe that the employee is adequately trained and will perform duties to which the training relates.
The certificate must show:
- the name and address of the place of business of the employer,
- the employee's name,
- the date it expires, preceded by the words "Expires on",
- the aspects of handling, offering for transport or transporting the employee is trained for.
It must be signed by the employee and by the employer (or another employee acting for the employer). A self-employed person issues one to themselves.
How long it lasts
Under section 6.5, a training certificate expires 36 months after it was issued for transport by road, rail or vessel. For transport by air it expires after 24 months. This course is about road transport.
Records and showing proof
- The employer must keep a record of training (or a statement of experience) and a copy of the certificate until two years after the certificate expires (section 6.6).
- Within 15 days of a written request from an inspector, the employer must give the inspector a copy of the certificate and, if applicable, the record of training and a description of the training material (section 6.7).
- A person who handles, offers for transport or transports dangerous goods must give their certificate, or a copy, to an inspector immediately on request (section 6.8). Drivers should keep a copy with them.
- A US driver's training document under 49 CFR 172.700 to 172.704 is accepted in Canada while it is valid in the US (section 6.4).
Where this course fits
Be clear about what you are getting here:
- This course is not a Transport Canada program, and Transport Canada has not approved or endorsed it.
- Our PDF is a certificate of completion. It shows that you finished this general awareness course and passed its test.
- It is not the Part 6 training certificate. Only your employer can issue that. An employer may rely on the course as part of the training it gives, but it must still be satisfied that you know the topics that relate to your duties and the goods you handle.
Your employer will normally still need to give practical, job-specific training: the products you carry, your equipment, company procedures and emergency steps.
Key points to remember
- Part 6: be trained and hold a certificate, or work under direct supervision.
- The employer issues the certificate; it lasts 36 months for road.
- Employers keep records until two years after expiry; workers show the certificate immediately on an inspector's request.