Court nabs acid tanker
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• Ripon Magistrates Court slammed agricultural contractor Geoffrey Nutland of Rainton near Thirsk this week for running a Hazchem tanker full of sulphuric acid in an "extremely dangerous" condition. David Wadsworth, chairman of the magistrates, said that the vehicle could have caused a "horrific accident".
The court fined Nutland 2900 after hearing allegations that he had failed to ensure that the gauges on the tanker would prevent acid escaping; that he had failed to give the driver written details about the acid being carried; that he had failed to take adequate fire and explosion precautions by not fitting the correct extinguishers; that he had failed to display Hazchem warning signs; and that he had failed to properly train the driver. Nutland denied all the charges, and was cleared of failing to give his driver proper training.
Factories inspector Richard Emmott said that the tanker gauges were made of clear plastic and "there was no method of shutting off the flow of acid through the pipes which the plastic tubes connected . . . the tank would drain." Emma told the court that "this highly corrosive material would have been expelled onto the road to the danger of other road users."
The court heard how the former Army truck — which Nutland had fitted with three 2,000-litre tanks — left his depot at Skipton with four Hazchem signs tied on with string, but three lost by the time the vehicle was examined.
Three further charges have been brought by the police: using a lorry without an 0Licence; permitting a driver to drive without an HGV licence; and using a lorry without wings or mudguards. These will be heard at Thirsk later.