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.

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.

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

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

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.