Loading, unloading & segregation

Some dangerous goods must not be loaded together because their hazards react badly — for example a flammable liquid next to an oxidiser. ADR has a table (7.5.2.1) keyed on the hazard labels that tells you which combinations are forbidden or need separation. If the table shows no permission for a combination, treat it as not allowed. DGMind's segregation checker uses this same table and defaults to 'prohibited' when a cell is blank, so it never guesses.

Mixed-loading is controlled by the ADR 7.5.2.1 label-based table.

Load must be stowed so it cannot move, fall or be damaged in normal transport — use straps, bars or proper packing to stop shifting. Take care not to drop or throw packages. Some goods need protection from heat or sunlight. Keep food away from toxic goods. After unloading, check nothing has spilled and the vehicle is clean before reloading something different.

Secure the load so it can't move, topple or be damaged.

Securing isn't 'a couple of straps and a prayer'. Examples that pass: pallets of drums shrink-wrapped and strapped both ways, with edge protectors so the strap doesn't cut the drum; IBCs cornered against the bulkhead with side bars; cylinders stood upright in a frame with valves uppermost. Examples that fail: a single bungee across half a pallet; rattling drums on a smooth bed with no friction matting; IBCs stacked higher than the side of the body. The rule is simple — could a hard braking, hard cornering or 30° tilt event move it? If yes, fix it.

Strap both directions; edge protectors stop straps cutting packaging.

Toxic substances in Class six point one and infectious substances in Class six point two must not be loaded with foodstuffs, animal feeds or other items intended for consumption. The only exception is when they are properly separated by a partition, an outer packaging or another barrier so that contamination is physically impossible. This applies inside the truck and inside the container. On a mixed multi-drop run, plan the loading order with food at one end and toxic at the other, with a partition between. A spill of methanol over a bag of flour is a public-health incident as well as an ADR one.

Class 6.1 (toxic) and 6.2 (infectious) must be kept away from foodstuffs.

Common segregation traps: (1) Assuming 'same class = always fine' — usually true but not for explosives (7.5.2.2 compatibility groups must align). (2) Assuming 'one drum, one truck' is exempt — quantity rules (1.1.3.6) still apply and segregation still applies once mixed. (3) Trusting a customer who says 'we always carry these together' — verify in the 7.5.2.1 table; the customer isn't liable, you are. (4) Forgetting subsidiary labels — a Class 3 product with a 6.1 subsidiary may need different segregation against food than the primary label alone would suggest.

Class 1 has extra compatibility-group rules (7.5.2.2).