How to answer dangerous goods safety adviser exam questions
Published 7 May 2025
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How to answer the exam questions
When asked, you need to:
- provide references to the regulations that you have used
- show the steps you took to get your answer
When providing references to the regulations you must include:
- part
- chapter
- section
- sub-section
- packing instruction number
When the reference box includes ‘CDG2009’, you only need to refer to the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (as amended).
Example questions
Core and all classes example questions
Example question 1
Your company is intending to manufacture a new liquid product with the following properties: it has an LD50 (dermal) of 270mg/kg; it also has a flashpoint of 150C and an initial boiling point of 850C.
State the class and packing group for this liquid, showing how you reached your answer.
Example question 2
Provide a UN number and proper shipping name for this liquid, showing how you reached your answer.
Example question 3
A drum containing 100L of Isobutyryl chloride is being shipped from Milan, Italy to Paris, France. How must the drum be marked and labelled for transport?
Road example question
Example question 4
A UK registered road tanker (tank–vehicle) is carrying a consignment of UN 1230 from Leeds to Liverpool in the UK. What EAC must be displayed for this load?
Note: The reference box for this question includes ‘CDG2009’.
Correct answers
Question 1
Notes
LD50 (dermal) 270mg/kg = Class 6.1, Packing Group III
Flashpoint 150C and boiling point 850C = Class 3, Packing Group II
Hazard precedence = Class 3, Packing Group II
Answer
Class 3, Packing Group II.
Reference
2.2.61.1.7, 2.2.3.1.3, 2.1.3.10.
What you needed to do
-
Recognise that LD50 implies that the liquid is toxic.
-
Recognise that the flashpoint and boiling point data imply that the liquid is flammable.
-
Check which sections of the regulations cover toxic substances and flammable liquids.
-
Use the hazard precedence procedures to work out the final classification.
Question 2
Notes
The liquid is a flammable liquid (Class 3) with a toxic subsidiary hazard.
The applicable ‘classification code’ for the liquid is FT1.
The most accurate option from the ‘collective entries’ for Class 3 must be used.
Answer
UN 1992 Flammable liquid, toxic, n.o.s.
Reference
2.2.3.1.2, 2.2.3.3.
What you needed to do
-
Check the Class 3 section of the regulations to work out a proper shipping name for the new liquid.
-
Use the classification code to select the most appropriate option from the list of collective entries for Class 3.
-
Work out the name that reflects the presence of the toxic subsidiary hazard.
Question 3
Answer
Mark = UN 2395; Labels = Class 3 and Class 8.
Reference
3.2.2, 3.2.1, 5.2.1.1, 5.2.2.1.1.
What you needed to do
-
Check the alphabetical index of the regulations.
-
Check the UN number index.
-
Check chapter 5.2 of the regulations to identify the required marks and labels.
Question 4
Answer
2WE.
Reference
CDG2009 regulation 6(3), Schedule 1, Part 1, paragraph 1 and DG EAC List.
What you needed to do
-
Check CDG2009 and any associated UK regulatory reference documents.
-
Find the Emergency Action Code for this substance.