Rules on transport of dangerous goods to change

New Irish regulations on the transport of dangerous goods by road will come into effect on December 31st. They require action by a wide range of employers, including businesses that accept delivery of dangerous goods such as liquified petroleum gas, toxic materials or pathogens.

From January, Health & Safety Authority (HSA) inspectors can apply on-the-spot fines for breaches of the new regulations.

According to Mr Pat Goulding, head of the dangerous substances/ADR (the EU agreement for the international carriage of dangerous goods by road) unit at the HSA, employers need to be aware of the goods they send out for delivery or accept for use on their premises.

Employers involved in the transport of goods need to know if they are dangerous or not, the definitions of which are contained in the ADR agreement. They need to establish if they are in any way involved in the transport, loading or unloading of dangerous goods.

Employers receiving dangerous goods are obliged to check that the driver delivering those goods is adequately qualified and certified. Employers are obliged to ensure that proper transport documentation is carried on the vehicles to identify the substances being carried. They must also ensure that packaging contains certain markings so the emergency services know what they contain.

The ADR agreement also facilitates Irish companies sending goods out of this State. If they comply with the ADR, they can travel through any of the countries that are signatories to the ADR agreement.

It is the duty of employers to establish if they are complying with the ADR and whether they need to appoint a dangerous goods adviser, says Mr Goulding.

Businesses that accept delivery of dangerous goods such as liquified petroleum gas, where the unloading is at the final destination, are not obliged to appoint a dangerous goods safety adviser. But the employer receiving the material should ensure that the packaging or the tankage in which the material is being delivered complies with the ADR, he says.

If something is being brought on to your premises, there is a duty on you to make sure that that is in compliance with the ADR. For example, you may look to see that the driver has been properly trained because the regulations also require that anybody driving a vehicle carrying dangerous goods that are covered by the ADR has to have a properly trained and certified driver.

For further information contact the dangerous substances/ADR unit at the Health and Safety Authority, telephone 01 614 7000.

jmarms@irish-times.ie