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Fined for Ml acid crash

11th April 1991, Page 21
11th April 1991
Page 21
Page 21, 11th April 1991 — Fined for Ml acid crash
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• The haulier at the centre of the M1 pile-up in Hertfordshire last October which closed both carriageways for 24 hours has been convicted of two offences under the Hazchempak regulations and fined a total of £4,330 by Hemel Hempstead magistrates.

Ellesemere Port-based OB Transport had denied carrying drums of hydrobromic acid on an unsuitable vehicle and failing to ensure that the method of stowage posed no danger.

The Department of Transport's Safety of Loads on Vehicles code of practice lays down the use of lOmm rope to anchor such loads, said Health and Safety Executive officer Anthony Cox. OB Transport had used 8mm rope.

The code also states that sheets should only be treated

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as weather protection and must be independently secured.

The HSE questioned the whole practice of carrying hazardous loads on flatbed vehicles. Shunt-type accidents were "foreseeable" in modern traffic conditions, it argued.

OB's managing director Cecil Offley said that the acid's manufacturer, Associated Oftel, was aware of how the loads of acid were carried. The firm had safely transported acid drums for four years.

He was supported by consultant engineer Ivan Ratcliffe who said that roping and sheeting was a time-honoured practice and that 8mm rope was up to the job. It was the force of the impact deforming the drums that had caused the load to fall off; not inadequate rope. The system failed because of the incalculable forces generated in the accident, he said.

The defending counsel argued that OB had taken all reasonable steps and used a load securing method which was common practice in the industry. The regulations did not require operators to foresee such abnormal circumstances.

Driver Geoffrey Morris said the drums had been loaded in 11 rows of three. He had checked the ropes on the morning of the crash.

The police said that the use of flatbeds and ropes was inadequate when dealing with a substance like hydrobromic acid, which is corrosive and can cause severe internal damage if inhaled. When several drums burst open on the M1 the acid melted the tarmac and damaged the cement underbase of the carriageway, and 15 people were taken to hospital.

The company was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £2,330 costs.


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