Many hazardous products are transported by trucks across Alberta every day. Sometimes these products are hauled along with other commodities and form a small part of a company’s operations. In other instances, companies may specifically focus on the transportation of dangerous goods.

Drivers in this sector operate a variety of trucks and trailers—some of which are specific to certain products—and may haul dangerous goods in individual containers or in bulk. Dangerous goods hauling supports a range of different industries. It’s a career option new drivers should keep in mind once they have developed a basic level of experience in lower-risk positions.

  • Seasonality

    While work in this sector is nonseasonal overall, specific products may have their seasons.

  • Method of Pay

    Long-distance drivers are often paid by distance (i.e., paid by the mile), but they may also be paid by the load, hour, or even provided a salary. Being paid for time is especially important when significant waiting times are involved with loading and unloading products.

Equipment and Tasks

The type of product being hauled plays a major role in the equipment and tasks a driver may see in the dangerous goods sector. For example, bulk liquids like gasoline and diesel are hauled in tanker trucks or trailers and require specific spill kits, hoses, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for safe handling. Dry dangerous goods, like cement powder and other chemical additives, may be in bags on pallets on a flatbed or in a van trailer. They may be hauled in bulk in a hopper and require PPE, such as respirators.

  • Equipment

    While hauling dangerous goods, drivers may see:

    • Day cab and sleeper tractors
    • Straight trucks
    • Tankers
    • Flatbeds
    • Vans
    • Power-takeoffs for loading and unloading
    • Pneumatic trailers
    • Pressurized tankers for products like propane
  • Tasks

    Drivers can expect to perform common driving-specific tasks: city and highway driving, pre-and post-trip vehicle inspections, cargo securement, and customer service-related responsibilities. They’ll have to complete training that’s specific to the dangerous goods they’re hauling and will need to learn the necessary steps to safely load and unload these product(s). In some instances, drivers may spend more time loading and unloading products than they do driving.

Lifestyle in the Industry

Dangerous goods drivers generally work long hours and have to maintain high levels of training. Many positions are steady throughout the year and pay quite well, but often are not available to inexperienced drivers. Drivers generally need some safe driving experience before being eligible for hire at most dangerous goods employers.

  • Work Shifts

    Shifts may be up to the maximum hours available to a driver in Canada (14 hours in a 16-hour shift). These shifts take place at any time and any day, as dangerous goods hauling often supports industries that operate continuously throughout the year.

  • Physical Demands

    While not generally the most physically demanding driving career, dangerous goods haulers need to wear their PPE, handle all equipment like hoses and spill kits, climb onto trailers, and be able to stand for long periods in a range of weather conditions while loading and unloading their vehicles.

  • Work/Life Balance

    Dangerous goods haulers often work long hours and may spend nights away from home as they travel long distances. While some dangerous goods drivers work as long-haul drivers, others may be home daily. The specific employer will greatly influence this aspect of the position’s lifestyle.

  • Predictability

    Dangerous goods hauling is generally quite predictable, largely due to the specialized nature of the equipment and foreseeable demand for the products being hauled.

  • On-Call

    Being on-call is uncommon, but some employers may place drivers on standby to cover absences.

  • Unionization

    Unionized and nonunionized positions are both common.

Getting Started

Drivers in this sector can apply through standardized online application systems for larger employers. They can expect the typical pre-hire safety checks followed by employer-provided training on safe driving and the loading/unloading procedures involved in their specific commodities. New drivers at companies will also often be supervised closely and may require a supervisor to observe their activities for the first time at every individual customer site.

Dangerous goods companies often require experienced drivers. However, some are willing to train new drivers internally, so it’s possible for someone to start in a non-driving position and transfer into a driving role. Interested individuals should research potential employers to see if such training is an option, especially if they do not yet have a Class 1 licence.

  • Mandatory
    Requirements

    The correct class of licence will be needed for the vehicles being driven, which is generally a Class 1 licence but could be a Class 3 licence for driving straight trucks. Drivers may need to be clean-shaven to wear a respirator and may be expected to have certain safety certifications before applying. The employer will have to provide the new hire with transportation of dangerous goods training. Drug and alcohol testing is common, along with criminal record checks.

  • Preferred Skills &
    Previous Experience

    Previous commercial driving experience is an asset, along with experience in industries where long and unusual schedules are common. Good customer service skills, problem-solving, and patience are also desirable traits in a dangerous goods driver.

Red Flags

There are many significant health and safety hazards present in hauling dangerous goods.  The hazards of driving, operating on customer job sites, and working with the dangerous goods themselves are all of great concern and require a robust health and safety system. People interested in starting a career as a driver in this sector should be on the lookout for these potential red flags (aka signs that an employer may not be operating safely):

  • Equipment and vehicles that are in poor condition.
  • Being pressured to become an owner-operator early into one’s career or any other signs of employee misclassification.
  • A lack of safety training by an employer, including transportation-specific training for the vehicles being driven and training on how to safely load and unload equipment.
  • Not being provided with a transportation of dangerous goods training certificate.
  • A lack of PPE (or being given PPE in poor condition or that doesn’t fit).
Quick Facts:
  • Dangerous goods drivers provide a vital service to numerous industries.
  • Many dangerous goods drivers are proud of the work they do and their safety records; the best employers foster this type of culture.
  • Dangerous goods drivers often enjoy steady work with good pay.
  • Drivers need to be aware of the dangers present in this type of work and may be required to gain driving experience in other sectors before entering dangerous goods.

More Help

Are you interested in learning more about working safely in transportation? Check out our Resources page for insights from industry experts and organizations. We’ve taken great care to present information relevant to those interested in truck and bus driving careers, those already employed in trucking or busing, and employers navigating labour challenges.

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If you have questions or want to learn more about the content of this website, please contact the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA). AMTA employs experts in trucking and busing across Alberta. We would be happy to help you further.

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