The concentration of industry within cleveland, particularly the chemically orientated variety, results in an above average movement of hazardous substances. Public authorities, particularly the police and fire service, have played a conspicuous role in adopting systems which ensure that such movements take place with maximum safety within this, largely urbanised, county. Close co-operation with the highway authority in determing "tanker routes" and in dealing with incidents has resulted in highway authority staff becoming acquainted, albeit perhaps superficially, with some of the increasingly complex law relating to the conveyance of hazardous substances. This paper summarises the present statutory requirements and at the same time examines various practical situations which may confront the highway engineer. Since its presentation in october, 1979 to a joint meeting of the institution and the society of chemical industry, there have been further moves with regard to the draft regulations on dangerous substances (conveyance by road) regulations, 1980. A second consultative document was published as a green paper in july, 1980. It was originally anticipated that these regulations would become operative on january 1st, 1981, but it is now doubtful whether this date will be met. (Author/publisher)
Abstract