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Posted By sitetech
I work for a major construction company who's health and safety is generally quite good but I have concerns about the following. I am from time to time requested to carry chemicals in my van. I am told that as long as they are strapped in the back and I have the relevant coshh sheet I have no choice other than to do as requested . Could someone please advise firstly if this is correct and also if I do have a choice ( I was unaware when I started the job that I would have to do this) I don’t always believe everything on the coshh sheet after all they did say asbestos was safe! This is only scratching the surface of what I really want to know but if any person could give me some advice it would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance.
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Posted By Tony Overbury
It seems to me that there are two extremes: you might be asked to carry a 1 litre container of white spirit - or you might be asked to carry five two hundred litre drums of corrosive desacler. The first is probably legal and reasonable and the second is probably not.
Could you give a bit more detail? What chemicals are you being asked to carry? What sort of quantity? Are the containers the original containers that the chemicals were supplied in, if not, how are they contained?
In any event, you should be instructed, trained and supervised to ensure your safety and to ensure that your company is legally compliant.
Tony Overbury
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Posted By Mark Jarman
If you are transporting chemicals by road you will need, at the very least, awareness training in ADR (International Dangerous Goods by Road regulations) or the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations (CDG).
Depending on the nature and quantities of the goods it may be necessary to carry additional documentation (TREM cards), additional equipment in the vehicle and you may have to separate certain products on not carry them together at all.
I would suggest that perhaps the Road Transport Association may be able to provide some contacts for specialist advice.
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Posted By Jason Gould
There are plenty of small vans on the road that now display carriage signs for certain goods. I.E. Gas etc ( Follow advice as suggested above or come back on this site with description of what your carrying and quantity and size of containers. If there is a breach a DGSA trained advisor will spot it for you or put your mind at ease.
Personally with you stating asbestos I would take a very strong view and seek all facts from as many sources as possible. Its your life at stake with the risk of one of the most severe lung conditions that wont affect you for years to come.
It may sound severe but im imaganing bin liners etc of waste thrown in and particles everywhere.
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Posted By smudge
Firstly I agree with the fact that some quantities require knowledge of CDG 1996.
But the ammendment to those reulations in 1999 clearly states that anyone involved in the handling or carriage of dangerous goods should receive training.
The tricky part for you would be deciding whether the products you are carrying are dangerous enough to apply the regulations.
You could be in default of the Carriage of dangerous goods regulations 1996.
I teach these regulations if you require more info please give me a call for free advice
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Posted By smudge
Stupid me my telephone is 0121 380 6415
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Posted By sitetech
WOW What a response! Thanks guys for the help. Firstly the chemicals I have to transport are normally the type used in concrete mixing, (Admixture) and are normally drained out of one thousand Litre storage containers, into any 25 Litre barrels that are available (which are normally acid containers) washed out and reused. The company have now agreed to proper stick-on labels rater than what they used to do, write on the container with pen. The chemical inside the containers is usually quite low risk, according to the cossh sheets, but I have my concerns about reusing containers and whether the new product inside can react to the old chemical it was designed to carry? And also in the event of a road traffic accident rupture or spillage of the containers. I am also concerned about ventilation as I am in the same area as the chemical with no sealed cab area.
I normally only carry max six 25 litre drums and normally the same chemical in the same journey. I have been given straps to strap them in the back of my van but this normally squashes the drum which adds to the problem.
Although the chemicals are probably classed as low risk by the companies that manufacture them I disagree with transporting them I was unaware, when I was employed by this company four years ago, that it would be part of my duties!
The latest I have been asked to transport is not a liquid form at all it is in dissolvable bags (10 KGS) total of nine bags,the name of the powder form is micro silica which I am told that ‘as long as you don’t through it up in the air and inhale the dust it is as safe as houses’ ???? One guy at my works refused point blank to have anything to do with it. Please do any of you know if it is safe to transport and if I do really have to do this is it really bad stuff to be using.
Once again thank you for your replies
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Posted By Tony Overbury
I understand that you have narrowed down the list to two chemicals, concrete admixture and micro-silica, and that you have the material safety data sheets for both. It would help (me at least) if you could indicate what the data sheets say about Hazards Identification (section 3 I believe), Transport Information (section 14) and Regulatory Information (section 15). What I'm trying to establish is what hazards are presented by the materials, and whether they are catagorised as 'dangerous goods' for the purposes of transport. It will then be possible to comment further.
Whilst the containers you have been provided with may well be suitable for the transport of the admixture, I would be concerned about a possible reaction between the admixture and any residual acid. (Put another way, I would only re-use the containers if a risk assessment had shown that it was legal/safe/sensible to do so). There are a number of suppliers of empty containers and 25 litre drums are not particularly expensive so it should be possible to package the divided admixture properly.
You mention that the micro-silica is packaged in dissolvable bags. Am I correct in presuming that these are packaged in some form of plastic wrapping when you transport them?
Sorry to bombard you with more questions but I'm not familiar with the materials you are carrying. I've no doubt that other respondents will come up with other questions and comments.
Regards
Tony
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Posted By sitetech
hi Tony thanks for your comments I am on holiday now for one week so I cannot get the coshh sheets to let you comment on. The micro-silica is in dissovable paper bags which has a plastic inner which dissolves on contact with water.
Many thanks.
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Posted By Dave Wilson
First trhings first matey.
1. Are these classed a 'hazardous' under the CHIP regs?
2. what is that class?
3. Is it allowable to be transported by Road and if so in what quantities?
4 If so what restrictions, if any, must be adhered to, including packaging, storage and segregation?
5. what training and precautionary measures must be adhered to for carriage and emergencies, including damage to the environment?
6. Is the 'vehicle' suitable for the carriage in all respects?
7. If its not 'classified' does it need to be? If yes then why?
8. Trust the manufacturers SDS and question the COSHH RA if not happy!!
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