Which of the following best describes the relationship between DG documentation and investigators?

• A. DG documentation is used by carriers only
• B. DG documentation is for regulators only
• C. DG documentation should be maintained for investigators
• D. DG documentation is only for internal audits

Answer: (C)

DG documentation serves as a factual record that supports safety and accountability along the transport chain. Investigators rely on it to verify what was shipped, how it was packaged and labeled, and whether all safety requirements were followed. When an incident or investigation occurs, investigators will access the shipper’s declaration, training records, emergency information, packaging details, and related DG documents to reconstruct events, determine what happened, and identify any non‑compliance or root causes. Because of this, these documents should be kept complete and readily accessible by the party responsible for the shipment (shipper, carrier, or operator) so investigators can review them as part of the investigation and take appropriate corrective actions to prevent recurrence. While carriers, regulators, and internal audits also engage with DG documentation, the key relationship to investigators is that the documentation should be maintained for their use when examining incidents.