Dangerous goods logistics in Turkey within the framework of international agreements: A study on the function of dangerous goods safety advisers

The transportation sector, which emerged to meet people's needs, has become integrated with production through industrialization and has been taken to a different dimension. Transportation that moves with production has started to be referred to as logistics in its current expression. Hazardous substances began to be included in production with the development of industrial revolutions. Developing technologies have increased needs and increasing needs have led to the formation of product diversity. The increase in product diversity has also increased the areas of use of hazardous substances. With an increasing momentum from the past to the present, hazardous substances have begun to be used in many sectors. The increasing international trade with product diversity has also affected the logistics of hazardous substances and led to an increase in the international trade of hazardous substances. Since each country has its own internal regulations and legislation on trade, there is a need for international standards that can be valid in international markets, as they will allow hazardous substance logistics processes to be prolonged and the risks that may arise to increase. For this purpose, international agreements that determine the transportation standards of goods considered as hazardous substances to be applied in every mode of transportation and provide safe transportation have been implemented and actively applied in countries that are parties to the agreements, including Turkey since 2010. Thanks to these practices, the transportation of hazardous substances will be safer, higher quality, and faster. There are separate international agreements used in each mode of transportation, and common rules exist for all modes of transportation. One of these is the mandatory requirement for companies that are stakeholders in the hazardous substance logistics process to receive consultancy services from expert consultants in hazardous substance safety. It is understood from the testimonies of professional organizations and associations related to the subject that Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA), whose functions, duties, authority, and responsibilities are defined within the framework of international agreements, encounter various difficulties while performing their professions. In our study, the problems, and difficulties that DGSAs experience regarding both their professional duties and social rights have been examined. In the study, descriptive analysis of the data obtained by conducting interviews with those who work under the title of DGSAs on highways (ADR) in the Bursa region has been carried out by starting from qualitative research techniques to categorize the problems correctly, identify the underlying reasons, and determine possible practical solutions. As a result of the study, it was determined that there are deficiencies in the practices of DGSAs working in the hazardous substance logistics sector, problems in terms of remuneration and training, and problems regarding the comprehensibility and value of the DGSAs profession in the sector. The study reveals the current situation regarding the work processes and social rights of DGSAs who work in hazardous substance logistics. Keywords: Dangerous Goods Logistics, Dangerous Goods, Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA, Logistics, ADR, Dangerous Goods Classification.