MEPs for Hazchem
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..:OMMON MARKET countries sh Tansport of dangerous products aritish Hazchem system.
The call for action has come rom the European Parliament, where MEPs are worried about he possibility of serious accidents.
In a study of the problem, the 'arliament's transport commitee has highlighted accidents in
• ecent years, including a chloThe leak from a road tanker in :anada, where the evacuation of .he 240,000 population of the .own of Missis-sauga in 1979 re'resented the "most drastic svacuation measures ever taken n peacetime."
The report also recalled parti;ularly horrific European accidents, such as the carnage at the Spanish resort of Los Alfaques n 1978 when a liquid petroleum :anker exploded on a camp site.
So far, the EEC has tended to svoid action in this area of safety, preferring to rely on international legislation such as he United Nations ADR agreenent on international carriage of dangerous goods by road which :ame into force in 1968.
To date, seven of the EEC's nember states have ratified that igreement. Denmark, Ireland Ind Greece have yet to sign.
The Parliament's transport ;ommittee spokesman, Vin;enzo Gatt, commented: "When ;erious accidents occur in the EEC member states ... however are such occurrences may be, mdblic opinion may well be dnimpressed by the argument
• hat non-EEC agencies, together vith national authorities, are .esponsible for safety regulaions.
"Public concern is yet more eadily understood in cases nvolving transport between :ommon Market countries." The committee's report called, for: • Ratification of the ADR by all member states; • EEC sanctions against noncompliance with ADR rules; • Co-ordination of national research into the causes of accidents involving the transport of dangerous substances; • Study of the possibility of reducing the concentration of traffic carrying dangerous substances on certain routes; • Promotion of special training for the drivers of road vehicles carrying dangerous substances; II, Establishment of a uniform hazard action code throughout the Community.
In a separate report on the general subject of transport of radioactive materials, the Parliament voices special concern about this form of risk.
The MEPs point out that antiradiation precautions cannot be as strict at ports, airports and on the roads as they are at nuclear power stations.
Anticipating a large and rapid increase in the volume of such traffic, the Parliament report urges action by the EEC authorities to improve standards and ensure an adequate network of emergency services.