Chapter 1.3 of the IMDG Code requires shore-based personnel involved in the transport of dangerous goods by sea to be trained in the Code’s provisions in line with their responsibilities. In practice that means general awareness training for everyone involved, function-specific training for the tasks each person carries out, periodic refresher training and records the employer can produce on request. This guide explains those requirements and shows which NCB Hazcheck course suits which job role.
What Chapter 1.3 of the IMDG Code covers
Chapter 1.3 deals with the training of shore-based personnel: the people who classify, pack, mark, label, document, book, handle, load or otherwise deal with dangerous goods before and after they go on board. Training at sea is covered by other instruments, so this chapter is aimed at the shore-side supply chain, from shippers and freight forwarders to terminal and ship operators’ office staff.
The guiding principle is that training must be commensurate with responsibilities. The Code does not specify a single course for everyone. It is for the employer to decide who needs training, at what level and how it is delivered.
The three elements of IMDG training
General awareness / familiarisation training
Everyone involved in dangerous goods transport by sea should know the general provisions of the Code. Awareness training typically covers:
- the classes of dangerous goods;
- packing;
- marking, labelling and placarding;
- transport documentation;
- stowage and segregation; and
- emergency response procedures.
Function-specific training
Beyond awareness, each person must be trained in the specific provisions that apply to the job they do. A booking clerk needs a strong grasp of documentation and acceptance checks. A packer needs in-depth knowledge of marking, labelling, placarding and segregation within a cargo transport unit (CTU). A ship planner needs stowage and segregation on board. Function-specific training is where most of an organisation’s training effort should be spent.
Safety training
Chapter 1.3 also addresses safety training: the hazards that dangerous goods present, safe handling and emergency response procedures, scaled to the risk of exposure in the person’s job. This is especially relevant to packers, cargo handlers and ship loaders, who work hands-on with packages and CTUs.
Refresher training and records
Training is not a one-off event. The Code requires initial training to be periodically supplemented with refresher training that takes account of changes in the regulations and in practice. The IMDG Code is amended on a two-year cycle, so many organisations align refresher training with each new amendment.
Records of training must be kept by the employer and made available to the employee or the competent authority on request. Good records show who was trained, on which course and amendment, when, and the result. Counterparties increasingly ask for this evidence too. TT Club has advised companies to obtain documentary proof that their contractors and suppliers are trained, as well as ensuring their own staff are competent.
Which course do I need? Job roles mapped to Hazcheck courses
NCB Hazcheck’s IMDG Code e-learning is self-paced, online and certified as a Det Norske Veritas (DNV) learning programme. Each course ends with tests at the end of each element, and the marks are combined into a final course completion certificate. Administrator functions let organisations track multiple learners and keep training records. Optional 49 CFR and ADR modules can be added to the function-specific, Advanced and Refresher courses.
| Job role | Recommended course | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse, clerical, sales or customer service staff with no direct DG function | Dangerous Goods Transport General Awareness | Familiarisation with DG transport regulations |
| Booking office staff, administrators, customer and business services support | IMDG Code Standard | In-depth documentation; overview of classification, marking, stowage and segregation |
| Managers, supervisors and compliance staff at shippers and freight forwarders | IMDG Code Consignor/Freight Forwarder | In-depth classification, packing, marking, documentation and segregation within a CTU |
| Personnel who pack, mark and label DG or load/unload CTUs | IMDG Code Packer/Cargo Handler | In-depth marking, labelling, placarding and segregation within a CTU; use of CTUs |
| Personnel responsible for or involved in ship loading/unloading | IMDG Code Ship Loader | In-depth stowage and segregation on board; incident and fire prevention |
| Personnel managing the operation of a vessel carrying DG | IMDG Code Ship Operator | In-depth documentation, stowage and segregation; CSC; DG in port areas |
| Senior DG managers and Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers | IMDG Code Advanced | In-depth training on all main aspects of the Code |
| Anyone previously trained who needs updating on the latest amendment | IMDG Code Refresher | Recap of main provisions plus changes in the latest amendment |
Related courses for multimodal and packing roles
Where dangerous goods travel by road as well as sea, the ADR/IMDG Code Interface course covers combined journeys, and the ADR Standard course is designed for those who transport dangerous goods by road. For container packing, see the Introduction to the CTU Code and Container Packers courses. The full range is on the IMDG training page.
Building a compliant training programme
- List every role that touches dangerous goods, including support functions that are easy to overlook, such as sales and customer service.
- Map each role to awareness, function-specific and safety training needs.
- Train before duties begin, or provide direct supervision until training is complete.
- Schedule refreshers around each new amendment and whenever someone’s job changes.
- Keep records you can produce for employees, auditors and competent authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Is IMDG Code training mandatory?
Yes. Chapter 1.3 requires shore-based personnel engaged in the transport of dangerous goods by sea to be trained in line with their responsibilities. Hazcheck’s IMDG courses are designed to meet these mandatory training requirements.
How often do I need IMDG refresher training?
The IMDG Code requires periodic refresher training that reflects changes in regulations and practice, but it does not set a fixed interval. Many employers align refreshers with each new amendment of the Code.
Who decides what training an employee needs?
The employer. It is for the employer to decide who needs training, at what level and how it is delivered, based on each person’s duties.
What is the difference between the Standard and Advanced courses?
The Standard course is aimed at booking and office staff and gives in-depth training on documentation, with overviews of other topics. The Advanced course is for senior DG managers and Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers and covers all the main aspects of the Code in depth.
Do the courses provide a certificate?
Yes. Tests at the end of each element are combined into a final course completion certificate, and the courses are certified as a DNV learning programme. Some courses also offer a verified certificate option.
What records should I keep?
Keep a record of each person’s training, including the course, the amendment covered, the date and the result. Records must be available to the employee and the competent authority on request.
Sources
- NCB Hazcheck – IMDG training courses
- NCB Hazcheck – IMDG Code Standard Course
- NCB Hazcheck – IMDG Code Refresher Course
- NCB Hazcheck – IMDG Code Advanced Course
- NCB Hazcheck – IMDG Code E-learning Course Guidance (March 2025)
- TT Club – TT Talk: Dangerous goods: competence and assurance (2018)
- IMO, International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, Chapter 1.3