VOLUME 41 • NUMBER

BIGGEST CHALLENGES The survey also asked what areas of operation have been a particular challenge. Again, it is perhaps not too surprising that respondents found training to be the biggest issue: 31 per cent found training new employees on the regulations governing the transport of dangerous goods to be “extremely challenging” with another 37 per cent saying it has been “somewhat challenging”. Similarly, the recertification of existing employees has been extremely or somewhat challenging for nearly 70 per cent of those polled.

Various regulatory and enforcement agencies around the world have provided some relief from the recurrent training requirements during the pandemic crisis, although any new employees must still be trained. Without the possibility of face-toface training as a result of travel restrictions and social distancing requirements, it has fallen on virtual or online training to fill the gap. It has been apparent that some training providers have responded to this by developing new concepts that are capable of delivering effective initial training, although these have necessarily been far more sophisticated than existing off-theshelf modular online training courses.

There have even been tentative moves on the part of some authorities to approve online examinations, with live invigilation. If this proves acceptable, then thoughts will inevitably turn to continuing with the approvals once the crisis eases. Will we all simply go back to traditional in-person, instructor-led training in the future? Cost considerations suggest that employers and trainers might be keen to hold on to the changes that have come with the crisis.

HELP AT HAND Survey respondents, who might have been glad of the temporary relief provided by their regulating authorities during the crisis, were less happy with the help their competent authorities – themselves affected by the pandemic response measures, after all – were able to provide in terms of effectively communicating rules and restrictions to employees along the supply chain. Only 17 per cent of those polled said that the assistance that competent authorities provided was very helpful, and nearly 19 per cent said they were not helpful at all.

Conversely, organisations operating in the dangerous goods chain were much better at providing support and assistance to their dangerous goods personnel, with nearly 80 per cent saying they were very helpful or helpful. Respondents were also happy with the information offered by IATA and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The survey also asked whether the volume and type of dangerous goods being handled had changed since the pandemic started. Here there were differing responses, with some (22 per cent) handling more and 31 per cent handling less dangerous goods. In addition, 33 per cent said they were now handling different types of dangerous goods.

These comments mirror anecdotal reports that certain sectors of the chemical industry – particularly those serving the automotive and construction sectors – have been hit hard by a collapse in demand, whereas other sectors, notably those serving the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, have witnessed an immense increase in demand.

Perhaps just as interesting is the fact that 47 per cent of respondents reported no change in the volume of dangerous goods handled and 67 per cent said they had seen no change in the types of dangerous goods in their supply chains.

LOOKING AHEAD The survey finished with a rather open question: how long do you think it will take before things get back to normal? Interestingly, 19 per cent said things are already back to normal and another 15 per cent estimated it would take no longer than three months. Almost 50 per cent felt it would take between three and twelve months for supply chains to settle back down, while 4 per cent felt we will never return to a normal situation.

Given the widespread predictions of a ‘second spike’ in Covid-19 cases later this year and the potential for Covid-19 to reappear annually, in the same way as influenza, some of these estimations look rather optimistic. It should be hoped that the past few months have provided some lessons to DG professionals and others in the dangerous goods supply chain about the ways to respond to rapid changes and disruptions, so that they will be better prepared in the event of a recurrence. The full results of the 2020 Labelmaster DG Confidence survey will be released soon at www.labelmaster.com.

THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED DURING THE COVID-19

CRISIS HAVE MADE THE USE OF COMPUTER-BASED

COMMUNICATION AND LEARNING CRUCIAL IN RIDING OUT