Ianger regs delayed
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;ICT new regulations on carriage of dangerous lances by road have been yed because of a wrangle • who will enforce them.
.nd worry over the Aiveness of the proposed s has been heightened by trent lack of compliance Tar with the similar 1981 er regulations.
he Dangerous Substances • nveyance by Road in kages etc) Regulations still to be laid before Liament. Their purpose be to cover the moveof packages, such as ris of toxic chemicals, in same way as 1981 tanker lations covered the moveof bulk loads.
his implies that drivers have to be trained, lorries have to be marked, and aing cards will have to be in the cab.
he regulations were to be Jduced on January 1 along
regulations covering the fling and packing of dannis packages from the end he production line to the
point of sale. But early this year county councils asked for
power to enforce the transport regulations along with the Health and Safety Executive.
County council involvement now seems less likely, as the HSE believes that this would need a change in the I lealth and Safety at Work Act.
But the problem of roadside checks has been increased by the police, who have responsibility for enforcing the 1981 tanker regulations. Very few forces have taken practical measures to enforce the tanker law, exceptions being Kent, Cleveland, Strathclyde and Cheshire. Now; the police want responsibility for enforcement transferred entirely to the LISE.
Until now, the HSE has relied upon the police to be its "eyes and ears" on the road, most of the information coming from accident reports. It now seems likely that the full burden of enforcement will fall on LISE officers, who are already hard-stretched. They will 'still need a police presence to stop lorries on the road.
The Road Haulage Association believes the law is racing well ahead of industry's willingness to abide by its provisions voluntarily, and of the resources needed to enforce the law by checks..
A spot check by the HSE at Dartford Tunnel in April showed widespread ignorance, particularly among drivers, of the tanker regulations, which came into effect more than three years ago. The RHA has called, unsuccessfully, upon the Department of Transport to introduce a special licensing system for the carriage of dangerous bulk loads.
Hauliers fear there is widespread ignorance among manufacturers affected by the new packing and labelling regulations, despite the HSE's £175,000 advertising campaign. If a haulier is caught carrying a drum which has been incorrectly labelled he will be liable to prosecution.