Reminder from DTp on hazardous loads
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THE Department of Transport has issued a note of advice to operators and highway authorities reminding them of their domestic and international responsibilities towards the carriage of hazardous substances.
A 1976 circular to highway authorities has been revised to include new information on methods of dealing with spillages from such lorries.
In particular, it details the component parts of the coded panels which are required under the Hazardous Substances (Labelling of Road Tanker) Regulations 1978, and it draws attention to such labelling and marking as is required by law. It points out that the Chemical Industries Association's Chemsafe scheme provides information on the characteristics of dangerous substances. The circular, which includes information on handling of radioactive spillage, lists companies which are able to assist with the disposal of hazardous spillages and which can lend assistance with a damaged vehicle.
At the same time, DTp has issued new editions of the European Agreements concerning the carriage of dangerous goods by road and rail. The road vehicles agreement provides for the convey ance of dangerous goods across frontiers without hindrance provided that they are packed and labelled in accordance with European regulations.
This applies to the British, Austrian, Belgian, French, Italian, West German, Dutch, Swiss, East German, Luxembourg, Polish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, and Yugoslav Governments.