)anger loads, he regs, 2
Page 41
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HEN a dangerous substance is rried by road in a tanker or nk container, Regulation 10 of e Dangerous Substances onveyance by Road in Road inkers and Tank Containers) )gulations 1981, requires that e operator of the vehicle isures that the driver of the 'hide is given certain Formation in writing. This is e name of the substance rried and the nature of the ingers which may arise, and e emergency action he may be quired to take.
In turn, the driver must keep e note containing this formation in the cab so that it readily available while the ibstance is being carried. Any old notes regarding 'evious loads, if not removed ›m the vehicle by the driver, ust be kept in a securely closed intainer clearly marked to iow that anything contained erein does not relate to the ad currently being carried. ternatively, the Regulations ill be satisfied if the out-dated )tes are destroyed. (This gulation does not come into fact until January 1,1983). Regulation 11 requires feryone, not only the driver, Igaged in the conveyance of dangerous substance to nerve all the precautions for eventing fire or explosion. perators must ensure that nks are not overfilled legulation 12).
Except when tanks are
iominally empty", the driver of road tanker or tank container ;hide which is displaying 3zard panels, with an
nergency code ending in the tter "E", when the vehicle is )t being driven, must park it in safe place or ensure that it is pervised by a competent arson over 18 years of age. "Nominally empty" means iat as much of the dangerous substance as possible has been discharged from the vehicle (Regulation 13).
The operator of a road tanker containing a dangerous substance must ensure that it displays three hazard warning panels, one on each side of the vehicle and one at the rear. The lower edge of these panels must be at least one metre from the ground and if this is not possible they must be fitted as high as is reasonably practicable.
The forward edge of the side panels must be as close to the front end of the tank as possible, or if there is more than one tank, to the front of the foremost tank.
There are similar provisions for tank containers except that only two panels, one on each side of the vehicle are specified. These must be fitted as near as possible to a position midway between the front and rear of the tank.
In both cases, ie for tanker and tank containers, the panels must be weather resistant; be indelibly marked on the side only; be either rigid or fixed so as to be rigid and be marked on, or securely attached to, the vehicle or tank in a substantially vertical plane.
If the means of attachment is by a frame, no other hazard warning panels must be carried on that frame. Where a multi load is being carried, each tank or compartment must carry two panels relating to its contents, one on each side of the tank or compartment.
Hazard panels need not be carried when a road tanker or tank container is being used solely for conveying a dangerous substance from: (a) a tanker or tank container which has been damaged as a result of an accident occurring on a road or which has broken down on a road; or (b) a rail tanker which has been damaged or derailed or which has broken down on a railway siding other than the siding at which it was loaded.
The exemption to carrying hazard warning panels in each of the circumstances outlined above only applies if the vehicle is being escorted by a police or fire brigade vehicle, or if it displays a hazard warning at the rear and complies as far as possible with the remainder of the regulations.
Also exempt from the marking requirements are vehicles complying with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code issued by the InterGovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation, which are carrying substances to or from port where the substance has been, or is to be, carried by sea.
The marking requirements do not apply to the armed forces of the Crown or visiting forces while the vehicles concerned are being used on authorised manoeuvres or training.
When a tanker or tank container and all its compartments have been emptied and cleansed so that it is no longer dangerous, the hazard warning panels must be either completely covered or removed.
The permitted telephone number on the panels may, if it is so desired, be left on display.
In a case where a tank in a multi load tanker has been emptied and cleansed or purged the labels referring to the empty tank must be removed or covered and the hazard warning panels changed to those appropriate to the remaining load.
Warning panels must be kept clean and unobstructed. A light ladder fitted over the rear panel which does not prevent the information on it being easily read is permitted.
The operator of vehicles used for carrying dangerous substances must ensure that his drivers receive adequate instruction and training as to their duties under the Regulations to enable them to understand the nature of the dangers which may arise and the emergency action they should take. Records must be kept of this instruction and training and a copy of this record must be made available to the drivers. (This regulation does not come into operation until January 1,19831.
More about these regulations in the next article.