Group Science provides consulting services in the subjects of common and dangerous cargo transportation safety (DGSAs – ADR – IMDG – IATA – RID) as well as safe handling (lifting – carrying – storage) in workplaces. Featuring engineers with extensive experience, our company provides complete, state-of-the-art support in the above mentioned fields, tailored always to the requirements of each customer. Our company is the only one within the Europe that is active in all of those fields, and that has also participatied in the composition of European and Greek legislations for safe cargo transportation.
GroupScience: pioneering and innovation in cargo security
25 years of expertise in the field of Safe Cargo
Safety Adviser in Dangerous Goods Transport – DGSA
Based on the European Directive (96/35/EC) and our national legislation (FEK 1350/7-11-2000), every company involved in the transportation, loading/unloading, filling, or packaging of dangerous goods is required to have a certified Safety Adviser – ADR.
Furthermore, in the case of outsourcing any of the aforementioned activities to an external partner, the company should demand the external partner to have a contract with a Safety Goods Adviser – ADR. Our company has the experience and knowledge to support companies involved in the above fields and generally in the management and transportation of dangerous goods by road or sea. We undertake and cover the role of the Safety Adviser for land transportation of dangerous goods as required by the above legislation and/or the Safety Adviser for DG sea transportation (IMDG), organizing the relevant procedures and training the involved personnel.
Especially in the transportation sector, Group Science has developed pioneering tools that, for the first time in Greece, manage the legality control of dangerous goods transportation (ADR shipments).
In cooperation with “Proteas European Program”, Group Science has planned, developed and produced an e-tool that controls the specifications of ADR transportations on the road (road checks N-4313/2014 and 17353/2006). The e-tool will be granted by” Proteas” and it will be available for use by the authorities of Ministry of Transportation.
Also, for the first time in the Greek market, Group Science features a custom made “control-design” e-tool for ADR transportation with the following characteristics:
- It has a minimum initial fixed and one-off cost and a minimum annual subscription, depended on the extend of use (basic edition= one ADR class). Modular extra, the ADR class that the use needs to handle with an optional mode for automatical document issue.
- Substance audit -total legality audit for the transportation- compliance audit- routing and setting of special provisions/ demands- ADR document issue in Greek and English. (TransportofDanderusGoodsDocumentTDG)
- Online use by entering Group Science website (using the assigned username and password), from every laptop , PC and tablet (no need for installation)
ADR/RID Safety Adviser
Group Science can undertake, with a certified team of advisers, to fulfill the legal obligation of having a contract with a Safety Adviser for the Transport of Dangerous Goods for the companies required to.
However, the level of services provided by our company offers added value beyond the basic requirements. We can take on the organization and management of the company’s vehicle fleet, the transport operations carried out with those vehicles, and the necessary training of involved personnel through a comprehensive training seminar on the transportation and handling of dangerous goods, always in accordance with the requirements of current legislation (ADR 2023) and the development of special procedures and work instructions (within the framework of relevant ISO standards).
Specifically, an integrated system of instructions is developed and tailored to the unique characteristics of each business, for the proper and lawful execution of activities involving dangerous goods, where the ADR regulation assigns specific responsibilities to the participants.
With the implementation of this system, the company can lawfully carry out processes such as:
- Loading/unloading and inspection/control of loading/unloading.
- Selection of appropriate vehicles based on the hazard level of the dangerous goods being transported.
- Placement of the required signage on vehicles and containers.
- Issuance of the necessary documents and provision of required safety equipment.
- Identification, labeling, and proper packaging of the dangerous goods being transported.
- Handling of emergency incidents (preparation of accident reports).
The above procedures are regularly monitored by our certified and experienced Safety Advisers, with continuous provision of advice and recommendations regarding the transportation of dangerous goods. At the end of each year, a detailed written report is delivered to the company’s management, outlining the degree of compliance with the ADR regulation requirements.
IMDG – IATA Safety Adviser
The Group Science advisers, within the framework of their responsibility as Safety Advisers for the Transport of Dangerous Goods under the ADR, are also capable of providing supplementary support to the business and its ongoing transport operations by sea or air, when necessary, according to the IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code) regulations and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
The Group Science advisers have experience and knowledge of sea and air transport of dangerous goods and the regulations governing them, and they are certified Advisers for the latest versions of the relevant regulations (Amendment 41-22 of the IMDG Code, IATA DGR – 65th Edition). Specifically for sea transport, the ability to train involved personnel on the processes and requirements of the new IMDG code is a pioneering and innovative training package. This provides the business with competitive advantages in the market by training staff on the discontinuities, peculiarities, and important aspects of multimodal transport, avoiding delays, immobilizations, or hold-ups in ports and shipping lines during scheduling.
For cases where full coverage is required for a business, including road transport (according to ADR), sea transport (according to IMDG), and air transport of dangerous goods (according to IATA), the Group Science advisors can offer comprehensive consulting services. Holding Category 3 certification, they can responsibly inform about the specifications and requirements set by the relevant regulations (IATA 65th edition 2024) and prepare the necessary accompanying documents based on regulations (shipper’s declaration and shipper/consignee label).
Design and Testing of Packaging
GroupScience, with its experienced team of engineers and consultants, as part of its specialization in the SAFE CARGO field, provides the service of strength testing and design of specialized packaging based on the unique needs of each client.
More specifically, we offer the service at two (at least) levels:
A. Testing of existing industrial packaging – pallets/boxes of various types – considering the construction materials and their design/shape. We create a model of the construction using finite element analysis software and then apply the forces that the packaging will experience under storage and/or transport conditions. From this analysis, the adequacy or inadequacy of the existing packaging will be determined, and small-scale interventions will be recommended to enhance the packaging’s adequacy, if feasible.
B. Study, Analysis, and Design of constructions from scratch based on the client’s requirements and specific specifications. This process is also carried out using finite element analysis software. The design is completed with the creation of production plans – material cross-sections/dimensions, calculation of connection requirements, and final form.
IATA Packing and Labelling
A newly offered service by Safe Cargo in the field of dangerous goods air transportation is the ‘Dangerous Goods Packing and Labelling’. By using the appropriate (according to the legislation) UN certified packages and labels, we can pack for you all the dangerous products that you intend to transfer via airplane.
Loading Plans for Containers (according to IMDG 41-22)
Analysis and processing of existing data and information, and their evaluation based on the requirements of European and national legislation for safe loading (EN 12195-1/2010, European Cargo Guidelines, Traffic Code, Government Gazette 49/2006), as well as the IMDG 41-22 code. In combination with the use of a specialized mathematical model for calculating the required securing methods/restraints for the cargo, the final loading plan is created, including detailed instructions.
Load Securing
GroupScience consultants provide services to ensure the safety of transport (road, sea, rail) by addressing each cargo case individually and proposing the most suitable and ergonomic solutions for its transport.
A specific process and method is followed, by the end of which those involved in the loading operations of a company are able to understand all the necessary actions and the solutions that will lead to safe and lawful freight transport.
In more detail, the following are carried out:
- Initial inspection of the legality of loading, safety procedures, and assessment of the suitability of transport equipment per cargo-transport unit.
- On-site inspections and expert reports to identify problems and provide advisory services.
- On-site inspections and expert reports on loading accidents.
- Development of special procedures and technical guidelines for each type of cargo and the creation of a comprehensive system of instructions per business, in accordance with the applicable legislation and the latest European standards (EN-12195-1:2010), as well as the specific characteristics of the cargo. The Technical Instructions (TIs) of the system are designed by our company with ISO structure and standards, allowing for immediate integration and application within the company’s other quality systems that may be in place. They also serve as preparation and infrastructure for the company’s implementation of the ISO 39001 system for road safety, as they relate to procedures such as loading-unloading, stacking, securing, and delivery of the company’s goods.
- Training of all those involved in the transport process at a comprehensive level through seminars and real-life scenarios.
- Monitoring of the system and the degree of compliance with the Technical Instructions (TIs) through audits.
- Reporting and commenting on audit findings, with proposals for process improvements, and continuous improvement and adjustment of procedures based on legislative developments.
Safe internal transport and lifting of loads
Lifting and transporting loads are the most critical and dangerous tasks carried out within an industrial environment.
Group Science has developed and provides a comprehensive package of consulting support and training on the safe internal management of cargo. Our goal is to review the lifting procedures and methods that the company applies based on experience and align them with European-approved and safe practices.
A crucial factor in this process is the training and technical briefing of the involved personnel (SEMINAR EXCLUSIVELY FOR CRANE/ FORKLIFT OPERATORS AND SUPERVISORS). The consulting service – program ‘Safe Internal Cargo Management’ is implemented in (at least) four consecutive phases depending on the internal needs and specificities of each company. It consists of:
- An on-site inspection to identify the conditions, problems, and needs.
- Theoretical training of operators using modern methods and tools to provide comprehensive technical information and deepen their understanding of safety and the risks involved.
- Practical training of operators to emphasize the points mentioned in the theoretical part (using the same equipment).
- Evaluation and certification of personnel for their technical and physical ability to engage in work in this field.
Contact us for more detailed information about this innovative service, which can be tailored to your requirements.
Vanning Certificate
Issuance of Vanning Certificate. For each loading case, an engineer from our company can check and inspect on-site the correct application of all the required requirements and instructions. Finally, if everything is in order (loading and securing method), the Vanning Survey Certificate is issued for the sea transport of cargo in a container.
Licensing of warehouses and industries
GroupScience is in the position to guide you throughout the entire process of licensing for warehouses intended for the storage of hazardous materials (flammable, explosive, toxic, etc.),by contacting the necessary study according to each case:
- Enviromental impact assessment studies
- Electro- mechanical studies
- Seveso studies
- Fire protection studies for industrial-storage facilities
Safe Storage of Dangerous Substances
The storage of dangerous materials remains, for a large number of companies, an activity that creates high insecurity both due to the nature of the stored materials and the complex legislative framework that governs it.
With the “Safe Storage of Dangerous Materials” service, our company develops for your business a system of procedures for the safe storage and management of hazardous materials, fully aligned with the requirements of national and European legislation and adapted to the specific characteristics of your business. Specifically:
- The hazardousness of the stored materials is evaluated, and proper placement and management practices are proposed based on the spatial organization of the warehouse, taking into account critical factors such as material compatibility, packaging types, and the storage-lifting-transport systems available in the company.
- If deemed necessary, suggestions for improving logistical and building infrastructure are made to meet required technical specifications.
- Procedures are developed to prevent both worker injuries and material damage that could occur after an accident during the storage and transport-lifting of materials within the facilities.
ISO 39001
New ISO 39001, aims to the improvement of road safety with further scope the organization of the fleet and the personnel, the reduction of operating cost and in principal the decrease of road accidents. The implementation of ISO 39001 concerns companies which manage a vehicle fleet for their daily operation and also operators of road networks.
The implementation of such a system:
- Ensures that the company conforms to road safety rules minimizing so the risk of accidents.
- Determines the risks that are hidden in the operation of the company due to road transportation and designs methods and procedures to minimize these risks. This way there is an improvement to the operation and to the image of the business to the market and its clients.
- Determines aims relevant to safe road indexes and by monitoring these aims and indexes the company has secondary profits (eco driving, best route etc.)
- Proves the company’s commitment for road safety and also for responsible/qualitive/safe management of the fleet.
Our company can support the development and the design of such a quality system with main axes functionality and efficiency in its implementation. Our extensive experience in the development of such systems for loading issues (see Client List), gives us applied rules and tools which do not charge a company, but helps it to obey the rules which are obligatory. By avoiding conforming to these rules, there is a constant fear and anxiety of an accident (see Load Security) either because of fines or delays for example to the delivery of goods. All these can disappear by the establishment of certain procedures.
Installations and Equipment studies
The consultants of Safe Cargo have an extensive experience and specialized knowledge on industrial production and logistics. Therefore we can undertake the planning of all these tasks.
The service ‘Installation and Equipment study’ gives to a company the ability to understand the mistakes in its function processes and also to recognize the aspects which can be or should be improved. After this initial inspection there will be the opportunity to carry out a reformation plan for the internal handling of loads and their transportation.
Following the check, and depending on the requirements, we can proposed either an initial action plan with timetable, techno-economical analysis and feasibility study or/and after the approval of the above mentioned action plan, we can perform the final design of new facilities and infrastructures (depot, warehouse, crane bridges, lifting equipment, forklifts etc.)
Seminars for Executives & employees
SAFE CARGO thanks to its extensive training experience in this particular field, has ready training ‘kits’ for the following subjects.
- Code ADR 2023
- Code IMDG Amendment
- Safe Road Transportation of Goods
- Development and Configuration of a System for safe transportation of loads
- Safe internal management of loads
- Road Safety
- Safe storage of dangerous oe/and chemical substances
We can also prepare special training seminars ‘custom made’, according to the level and the requirements of each client.
Almost all the seminars are offered in two levels.
- For Executives (the seminar has mainly administrative characteristics (responsibilities, legislation etc. and less technical
- For Employees (the seminar has more technical characteristics.
Please contact us for more information.
Webinars – Tele-education Seminar Programs
The continuous training and development of our partners does not stop when our presence on site is not possible! Group Science seminars continue to be offered in the form of webinars . We are at your disposal to provide you with seminars and tele-education solutions for all your needs. Upon request, specialized topics and custom webinars can be arranged.
