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HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.
In order to ensure the safety of the public, protect the environment and property there is clearly a need to control the movement of goods which are considered to be dangerous.
Some of these dangerous substances are lethal and Police Officers should not approach incidents involving unidentified substances, even to save life, until that substance has been identified and it has been established that contact with it will be safe for at least a short period.
Some police forces, including the Metropolitan police, have
taken on devolved powers from the Health and Safety Executive, allowing
authorised officers to act as HSE Inspectors for the purposes of enforcing
regulations, and examining and prohibiting vehicles, involving the carriage of
dangerous goods. In the Metropolitan Police, these officers are in Traffic
Division.
Dangerous Substances are transported in vehicles ranging from small vans up to the largest articulated goods vehicles. This module is intended to help you understand the two principle sets of regulations that govern the movement of such goods on our roads.
Safety is paramount above all else and you, as a traffic officer, will have a greater knowledge of "Hazchem" regulations than most of your colleagues.
The main thing to remember is that IF YOU CAN SMELL IT YOU ARE TOO CLOSE. However, not all hazardous substances can be detected by human senses.
Always stay UPWIND, and if possible UPHILL, from any incident involving
dangerous goods, as the vast majority are heavier than air, and there is not
much you can do to contain anything lighter than air if it is in the open..
LEGISLATION.
British Domestic Legislation has recently been harmonised
with the rest of Europe by the The Carriage of Dangerous
Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004
CLASSIFICATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS.
Dangerous goods are classified by the United Nations who assign a four-figure number to each identified substance. These substances are then placed into one of 9 classes of dangerous goods. Some of these classes are further sub-divided. The main classes are as follows:
CLASS 1 - EXPLOSIVES
Sub-divided into: 6 groups 1:1 to 1:6. Classes 1:1 to 1:3 are the most dangerous. The regulations are somewhat complex and different substances are also assigned a compatibility group number, which help a carrier determine which substances may be carried together.
CLASS 2 - GASES
Covers all compressed gases including flammable and toxic. They are potentially dangerous due to pressure.
2.1 Flammable Gases
2.2 Non-toxic, non-flammable compressed gases
2.3 Toxic gases
CLASS 3 - FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Give off vapour, which burns in air if ignited.
CLASS 4 - OTHER FLAMMABLES
Sub-divided into:
4.1 Flammable Solids, which ignite and burn when heated.
4.2 Spontaneously Combustible ['pyrophoric'], which ignite when they come into contact with air.
4.3 Dangerous When Wet, which ignite or give off a flammable gas when wet.
CLASS 5 - OXIDISERS
Sub-divided into:
5.1 Oxidising Agents, which produce oxygen helping to sustain any fire that may start.
5.2 Organic Peroxides Unstable compounds which give off oxygen and may heat up, combust or explode.
CLASS 6 - TOXICS
Sub-divided into:
6.1 Poisonous/Toxic substances, which may be inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through eyes/skin.
6.2 Infectious Substances which may represent a biological hazard.
CLASS 7 - RADIOACTIVES
Not sub-divided but there are 3 different levels of danger. The most dangerous Radioactive Materials should be accompanied by a sign with three red bars upon it.
CLASS 8 - CORROSIVES
May cause serious burns etc.
CLASS 9 - MISCELLANEOUS
Covers any other substance classified as dangerous by the UN which does not readily fit into one of the classes above.
Each class/sub-class is assigned a warning diamond depicting the nature of the associated hazard.
These warning diamonds are colour coded depending upon the nature of the hazard they represent. There is also a pictorial representation of the hazard within the diamond and the class i.e. 5:1 should be shown at the bottom.
All these classes are regulated, when they come within the scope of the regulations. Non-flammable, non- toxic compressed gases, which have a green warning diamond, are also regulated when they come within transport category.
TRANSPORT CATEGORIES
Dangerous Substances that are carried in packages are also assigned a packing group depending upon the nature of the risk.
Transport Category 1 High Danger
Transport Category 2 Medium Danger
Transport Category 3 Low Danger
CONSIGNOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES.
The Consignor is responsible for ensuring that substances are correctly classified, marked and packaged. Information must also be supplied to the carrier of the goods.
SCOPE OF THE REGULATIONS FOR CARRIAGE.
All substances that are classified as Dangerous Goods that are carried on tankers, tank containers or in bulk are subject to carriage regulations.
Packaged Goods are assigned a Transport Category between 0
and 4 and are subject to carriage regulations when they exceed the relevant thresholds.
When the carriage of Dangerous Goods becomes subject to the regulations as outlined below, then the vehicle, driver and operator are all affected. |
