Hi, I am quite new here, been lurking for a few months.
I would like to ask a question if I may.
Is there any reason to gain Class 1 explosives on my VTC. This would be speculative as I have no current use for it.
Is it useful?
Are there many jobs out there which require it?
Si
not unless your working for military contracts or in the army lol
but if its free to do on course take it never know what job might need you to have it
There are currently quite a few positions with TDG moving Class 1… They are one of only a few people that move this class without using items in this class for their own use.
There are a few companies that move class 1 in and out of Europe under licence and are always looking for good drivers (But they need to have a traceable background)
Hope this helps.
There’s an agency in Glasgow that advertises for Class 1 in ADR now and again,good rates.Heard it’s transporting explosives for quarrying.
Assume ex-squaddies would go for it.
There’s also Ex-Chem at Alfreton; quarrying explosives again.
Given the current trend within MOD for outsourcing, might be a useful ticket to have in future.
ton class:
Is there any reason to gain Class 1 explosives on my VDC. This would be speculative as I have no current use for it.Is it useful?
Are there many jobs out there which require it?
Si
Since it’s speculative, my initial reaction is to advise you to think carefully, since UN Class 1 is quite expensive, when compared to the other modules, so you might not see a quick return on your money.
It is useful, but only if you actually need it. 
The main employers for holders of the UN Class 1 module are:
) )I’d also advise that you should take into account the time remaining on your current VTC, since your “new” UN Class 1 entitlement would expire at the same time as your current VTC.
(You wouldn’t get 5 years validity from the date of passing the UN Class 1 module, if it’s tacked onto an oldish VTC.)
Since you’re already giving consideration to this idea, do you recall that you can do your refresher at any time during the 5th year of validity of your present VTC 
If your current VTC has a good length of validity remaining, and you consider it worthwhile, you would need to attend a course lasting for 1 whole day in order to gain the qualification. Another consideration is that not all providers offer UN Class 1, so you may be facing some travelling.
One advantage that you do have is that you already hold the Core module, so when making any enquiries, you should tell the training provider that information. It will make the course that bit cheaper. Another good thing is that the exam for just the module you need is only 20 questions. 
TIPS: If you’re considering the fireworks industry, the average type of fireworks can be carried by a driver without an ADR qualification.
If UN Class 1 interests you, most employers will pay for your additional module, so it might pay you to be a bit canny.
In fact, anything with (exactly) the following label needs NO VTC.
paulduncan also has an excellent point regarding “a traceable background.” This has been an additional requirement in the UK since 22/07/2005, since most explosives are included in a table of High Consequence Dangerous Goods (HCDG) for which enhanced security requirements are in place. If you did your VTC training since that date, you’ll have already seen the video from the DfT on the security of dangerous goods.
I hope this helps
dieseldave:
paulduncan also has an excellent point regarding “a traceable background.” This has been an additional requirement in the UK since 22/07/2005, since most explosives are included in a table of High Consequence Dangerous Goods (HCDG) for which enhanced security requirements are in place. If you did your VTC training since that date, you’ll have already seen the video from the DfT on the security of dangerous goods.I hope this helps
Dave,is a “traceable background” required for petrol tanker drivers?
The instructor on the ADR course mentioned that drivers were told to take extra security precautions when out delivering fuel.
Thanks everybody for the info. Very interesting & informative.
I have about 4 years on my VTC so it looks like it might be worth while & may open up some interesting work.
Regarding the traceable background. Does anyone know exactly what this consists of. Is it work, address and/or criminal, maybe a CRB check?
Dieseldave mentioned it’s not needed for some fireworks. Are there any it does apply to?
Is Standard Fireworks still in Huddersfield?
Si
When engaged with Class 1 the majority of companies expect the driver to undergo a standard CRB check.
Just a point… The difference between a standard and enhanced CRB check are that standard covers the areas concerned with security administration and an enhanced covers security with people (people at risk etc)
Carrage of these goods falls under the standard level unless you are working with the MOD etc. But that would be covered by them anyway.
At the last count, the test for class 1 was running at around £180 -300 for the course and £65 for the test itself. The SQA who is now the qualification authority (and not City and Guilds) was trying to put up the fees, but now sure if they have reached that point yet…
Another consideration is if you may be interested in Class 7 (Radioactive)? The process is the same, but without the need to undergo security clearence. The indusrties involved in this group are wider and very secure… and they are currently looking for more qualified drivers…
Hope this helps…
gsm31:
Dave,is a “traceable background” required for petrol tanker drivers?
The instructor on the ADR course mentioned that drivers were told to take extra security precautions when out delivering fuel.
This is a tricky area to describe in writing, so I’d best reiterate the concept that the Regs apply in “layers.”
The easy answer to your question is that background checks, and the full weight of the security reqirements must be met when the amount of petrol carried in a tanker exceeds 3,000litres.
The above should be read as minimum, so a company can make it their policy to apply those rules from “the off” if they wish, since that wouldn’t conflict with the law. The security requirements are quite lengthy and very detailed, and are for the company to implement.
paulduncan:
When engaged with Class 1 the majority of companies expect the driver to undergo a standard CRB check.Just a point… The difference between a standard and enhanced CRB check are that standard covers the areas concerned with security administration and an enhanced covers security with people (people at risk etc)
Carrage of these goods falls under the standard level unless you are working with the MOD etc. But that would be covered by them anyway.
That’s interesting info paulduncan and I couldn’t comment on that, because I have had no dealings with the CRB system.
Is the above a law, or is it somebody’s company policy
paulduncan:
At the last count, the test for class 1 was running at around £180 -300 for the course and £65 for the test itself. The SQA who is now the qualification authority (and not City and Guilds) was trying to put up the fees, but now sure if they have reached that point yet…
SQA doesn’t set fees for courses or individual modules, so training providers can charge whatever they like for any of the modules. For the Class 1 module, some even charge more than the £300 you mention. That’s left to market forces and geography in my experience.
I’m wondering whose “last count” you mean because, I can assure you that the exam fee for the Class 1 module is NOT the £65 you quoted.
I can also tell you that the exam fee of £20 per exam has remained the same since SQA took over from City & Guilds in 2006. IF there were any plans to increase the exam fee, I would already know about it, since SQA would have let us know.
paulduncan:
Hope this helps…
It might not be helpful if you’re quoting just from company policy, or from what somebody told you, since ton class appears to be considering spending his/her own money. IMHO, that person deserves accurate advice
On the subject of being helpful, there is nothing written in either the UK Regs, or ADR on the subject of CRB checks. The nearest to that is in “guidance” and a video/CD issued by the DfT on how a company can best comply with the security requirements that are set out in ADR. The guidance merely says that worker’s references should be checked. Clearly, any company which stores, handles or carries explosives will have enhanced security measures in place, and as you said, the MOD might well have far more stringent requirements for any subcontractors it might employ.
Your mention of “£65 for the test itself” also raises the idea of people asking the “right” question.
For instance, if somebody asked a training provider “what do you charge for the exam?” and their answer was “£65” then that’s fine, but a little misleading. However, if the person asked “what’s the SQA marking fee,” then the truthful answer is £20.
I always advise anybody spending their own money to ask a training provider the following questions in order to avoid nasty surprises:
I do hope that you haven’t paid “£65 for the test itself.”
Sorry… I should have made my comments more consise, rather than “Off the cuff”.
It was a training provider that quoted me the £65 for the test fee…
As for the CRB information, it was a “laymans” account for the levels of check.
The concise information can be obtained from any umbrella organisation that carries out the checks on behalf of any company that fulfills the criteria for requiring such checks.
The above site will give you all the information that you may require.
As for the course fees, this is a matter for the training providers to set and not the SQA, but again the amount stated was a guide line based on different information recently obtained from quite a few training centres around the country (including Chemfreight, Runcorn).
I will endevour to elaborate more when replying to any thread.
ton class:
Dieseldave mentioned it’s not needed for some fireworks. Are there any it does apply to?
Yes ton class, any fireworks with a label different to the one shown will have limits before ADR applies in full just like any other dangerous goods.
Threshold quantities for explosives depend on the Nett Explosive Quantity (NEQ) and there are ALSO upper limits per vehicle sometimes as well.
There are 5 UN numbers for fireworks: 0333 - 0337 inclusive
If you work for a fireworks company, you might also be asked to collect “raw materials.” 
By coincidence, there are 5 possible labels that you might encounter:
1.1G, 1.2G, 1.3G 1.4G and 1.4S
You’ll know the different types of fireworks, because the labels for 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 look something like this:
(The word “EXPLOSIVE” is optional.)
I’ll leave any other info for you to learn on the course, if you decide to go ahead with it.
paulduncan:
Sorry… I should have made my comments more consise, rather than “Off the cuff”.
Hi paulduncan, no apology necessary mate, WADR I didn’t comment as to whether your post was “concise” or “off the cuff.”
It’s certainly not my place to tell you how to post or what to write, so I didn’t.
I merely stated that one of the pieces of info that you gave is factually incorrect.
I then went on to state the correct exam fee as charged by SQA. (Of course, somebody could “inflate” it if they wish.)
I apologise to you, if my post led you to a different conclusion.
I can only say that it wasn’t my intention to do that.
I was also very clear in saying that I’ve had no dealing with CRB. That’s because it’s not part of my remit, but the link you gave might be perfectly good for all I know on that subject. Again, I’m not making any sort of comment on that.
paulduncan:
It was a training provider that quoted me the £65 for the test fee…
That’s why I gave the advice about asking the “right” question. I also hoped that you hadn’t paid the £65 you seem to believe is the exam fee.
I always advise people to shop around, and to ask the right questions in their own interests. I have nothing to gain or lose by doing that. What does annoy me is when there’s any kind of rip-off going on. 
paulduncan:
As for the CRB information, it was a “laymans” account for the levels of check.
Again, I have to say that I’ve no experience of CRB checks, so I wouldn’t make any comment on that.
paulduncan:
As for the course fees, this is a matter for the training providers to set and not the SQA, but again the amount stated was a guide line based on different information recently obtained from quite a few training centres around the country (including Chemfreight, Runcorn).
As far as I can tell, you’ve merely repeated something that you honestly believed to be true. I’ll repeat my comment that it’s factually incorrect.
It might be that you didn’t ask the right question, or didn’t do enough research. I make / made no judgement on that, I only corrected the part that isn’t true.
You mentioned Chemfreight, Runcorn. It’s my policy never to make any comment (here OR by PM) on any training provider, except to say that they they’re on the list of approved providers and that know their stuff. I certainly won’t comment on how they might decide to set their fees. A simple phone call to several training providers with the “right” question should set your mind at ease on this issue All I’m saying is that I already know the answer.
paulduncan:
I will endevour to elaborate more when replying to any thread.
That might not be necessay, if the “facts” you state are actually correct.
For my own part, I try to avoid “elaborate” if I can.