Explosive danger
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• The Health and Safety Executive has sharply criticised explosives hauliers who allow a "lack of vigilance" to creep into safety procedures. Transport of explosives must be tightened up, says the HSE.
The comments came after the HSE published a report on the Peterborough incident last year, when a cargo of high explosives blew up after the lorry which was carrying them jolted over a speed ramp. A fireman was killed and 107 people injured.
Nobel Explosives, which ran the truck, was fined 2250,000 following the incident.
HSE recommendations for irrji)roving safety include: LJ Applying safety and quality systems not only to new pro
ducts but also reviewing the procedures for established products.
LJ Developing comprehensive safety systems which cover classification, labelling and correct packing of explosives. LI Giving up-to-date information to drivers on their loads and specific training on certain products and mixed loads. LJ Pre-planning loads to separate different explosives.
Other factors to be looked at by the HSE includes the carriage of detonators with other explosives and the guidance given to emergency services in the event of an accident.
Vehicles which carry explosives solely in the UK do not have to pass a test, except for the routine MoT.