How soon after employment are staff required to receive dangerous goods training?

Dangerous goods training MUST be provided or verified upon employment, BEFORE the staff member carries out ANY of the functions for which they are employed involving dangerous goods, general cargo or passengers.

I have changed companies but I received dangerous goods training from my previous employer. Is this still valid??

Yes, provided that the training covered the areas required by your new role and you can provided your new employer with a copy of the certificate issued when you were last trained (within the previous 24 months).

I last received dangerous goods training more than 24 months ago.Can I still carry out my duties?

No. It is a legal requirement that dangerous goods training MUST be kept current. Failure to receive recurrent dangerous goods training and continuing to carry out a function involved in processing or carriage of cargo (whether or not it includes dangerous goods), passenger baggage or passengers would be a contravention of the Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations.

The same rules apply to shippers and freight forwarders.

How often must recurrent dangerous goods training be carried out?

Recurrent training must be carried out within 24 months of previous training.

Do employees who only handle general cargo or baggage (i.e. not dangerous goods) still require dangerous goods training?

Yes. Such staff are still required to receive initial and recurrent dangerous goods training.