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Dangerous times

19th May 2005, Page 42
19th May 2005
Page 42
Page 43
Page 42, 19th May 2005 — Dangerous times
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

New ADR regulations to be introduced this summer reflect the more security conscious world we now live in. Adam

Hill reports. Alot of things changed after the planes crashed into New York's World Trade Centre on September 11,2001. A more security-conscious world has emerged, and the latest repercussions are reaching ADR legislation.Amended regulations that come into force on 1 July include a new chapter,1.10, which lays out security requirements for the carriage of dangerous goods by road.

It states: "Security means measures or precautions to be taken to minimise theft or misuse of dangerous goods that may endanger persons, property or the environment". The spectre of terrorist-sponsored disaster, with a truckload of material used to create massive casualties, is sure to be at the heart of the changes.

-Post-9/11 the carriers of stuff of particular interest to the 'wrong hands' will be affected," says John Hix, the FTA's general manager. DGSA consultancy services. "Security will affect all dangerous goods carriers, but in particular those with high-consequence loads."

These materials encompass a broad spectrum, including explosives, flammable and toxic gases, fertiliser and radioactive material. As the regs put it, they are the ones with "the potential for misuse in a terrorist incident and which may, as a result, produce serious consequences such as mass casualties or mass destruction". From 1 July,the voluntary code onADR security introduced last year will effectively become mandatory. The main requirement of the new legislation is for hauliers involved in dangerous goods transport to have a security plan, which VOSA has the right to test (see panel for details of what must be included in a security plan). Mark Hunt. director of training company DGT Chemfreight. says: "The biggest change is the new security provisions. The need for a security plan will have an impact on everyone."

Operators will also need to tighten up site security, providing properly secured and welllit sites for vehicles, storage and marshalling yards. Drivers will need to be vetted more thoroughly, and need to carry photo ID cards.

-Generally the transport industry is not particularly strict on how it takes people on," says Steve Cox, director of Security & Vetting Solutions. -But firms will have to have five years of employment checks to make sure people are who they say they are, and haven't spent long periods out of the country or at Her Majesty's pleasure."

Employers cannot yet carry out a check on an employee with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). However, Cox believes legislation allowing this is on the way. And he points out that your local police chief constable may be able to apply to the CRB for the information if he considers your operation to be high risk.

Vehicles may have to be modified too. If they are not ventilated, those carrying gas bottles containing substances such as LPG or oxygen will have to be labelled. And your DGSA will have more to do after July. For a start. he or she will be required to check on arrangements for the security plan.

"Operating practices will have to change, particularly for smaller operators," says Cox. "Things like where you park your truck — with secure parking and no public access, sufficient lighting and fencing to cordon it off and so on — will have to be considered."

Security awareness training will have to address and recognize the nature of security risks and the steps that should be taken to reduce them. Staff will also need to know what actions should be taken in the event of a security breach.

Information security Apart lrom worrying about the physical goods. the idea of guaranteeing the security of information around dangerous goods transport may prove difficult for operators. -One issue, in a busy traffic office, will be how to make sure a load schedule and • delivery notes are secure." continues Cox. Carriers, consignors and consignees will also be expected to cooperate with each other and the authorities to exchange threat information, apply appropriate security measures and respond to incidents.

In one sense. July's amendments are less of a big deal than last year's ADR harmonisation legislation. which signalled a radical departure from past practice. But even if you boiled down the new requirements to the simple need for a security plan, its implementation has implications for almost everyone involved in dangerous goods transport.

And that is not all there is to come, as the I-TA's Hix says: "On the radar screen is [the need for] ADR driving certificates for van drivers up to 3.5 tonnes. There are a lot of van drivers out there, and at the moment they don't need a formal certificate." It is unlikely to be required until 2007, but you can add it to the list of things to think about. •

Tags

Organisations: Criminal Records Bureau
Locations: New York

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