Help needed with securing fertilisers
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By Roger Brown
BRECHIN-BASED agricultural haulier R&N Cessford Haulage says hauliers “urgently need some guidance” on the correct method to secure fertiliser bags to trailers.
Martin Cessford, director of the company, tells CM that hauliers in northern Scotland are concerned that Vosa officers in the area are continuing to target drivers who use ropes or curtainsider straps to secure their loads.
He is concerned that independent straps and ratchets – which Vosa officers have advised firms in the area to use – have the potential to split the inner liners of fertiliser bags, which contain substances such as ammonium nitrate.
Cessford first raised the issue with CM in 2010, and says hauliers are now “desperate” for clarity over the regulations.
“It’s two years after we first raised our concerns, but we are still no nearer any clarification regarding the law,” he adds.
“We have always operated safely, abided by the law and prided ourselves on the highest standards, but we urgently need some guidance,” Cessford says.
A Vosa spokesman says the organisation has been working closely with the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association on the issue.
“The Health and Safety Executive has produced some guidance recommending that pallets or some other rigid structure could easily be placed on top of the bags before strapping, so the straps would not need to be contacting the bags,” he says.
“Ideally, we’d like to see the bags secured with straps, what we don’t want is bags being held on by gravity only.
“Manufacturers should also be able to provide advice on how their products can be secured for transportation.
“Alternatively, tarpaulin systems may be useful if the bags are open or if the load is being transported on a flatbed.”