Today (30th June 2023) the Department for Transport (DfT) have published a new exception for transport by road. This is titled “Road Exception 1: Transport of medical gases by healthcare workers” and is valid for six years.

Exceptions are issued in line with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009, as amended, and may provide a limited exemption from certain parts of ADR if all conditions set out are met.

This exception allows healthcare workers to carry certain medical gases without the need to carry a fire extinguisher. However, the following conditions must be adhered to:

• medical gases are contained in a cylinder(s), as part of a set that includes a regulator, hose and mask with a total maximum number of 6 cylinders per vehicle
• measures have been taken to prevent any leakage of contents in normal conditions of carriage
• healthcare workers are appropriately health and safety trained
• a risk assessment has been carried out for the carriage

Road Exception 1 can be viewed in full at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-carriage-of-dangerous-goods-approved-derogations-and-transitional-provisions/carriage-of-dangerous-goods-approved-derogations-and-transitional-provisions