Are all dangerous goods required to be transported by specially trained personnel?

The assertion that all dangerous goods must be transported by specially trained personnel is rooted in the necessity for safety and compliance with regulations. Dangerous goods encompass a wide range of materials that can pose risks to health, safety, property, and the environment. Therefore, regulatory frameworks, such as the Hazardous Materials Regulations by the U.S. Department of Transportation and similar guidelines globally, mandate specific training for personnel handling and transporting these goods. This training ensures that individuals are knowledgeable about the risks, handling requirements, emergency response procedures, and legal obligations associated with dangerous goods.

Specially trained personnel can properly assess the nature of the materials, implement safety measures, and ensure compliance with relevant transportation regulations, which is critical in preventing incidents and ensuring public safety. Given the diverse categories of dangerous goods—including explosives, corrosives, flammable liquids, and toxic substances—standardizing the requirement for specialized training mitigates risk across the board, rather than making exceptions based on the specific characteristics of the materials.