The Chemical Business Association (CBA; Crewe, U.K.; www.chemical.org.uk) has issued new guidelines to help ensure the safe transport of packaged chemicals. The guidelines aim to complement the U.K. Dept. for Transport’s Code of Practice, which sets basic standards for load stowage and securing.
CBA’s guidelines have been endorsed by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). It its foreword, HSE points out that ‘unsafe loads on vehicles injure more than 1,200 people every year and cost U.K. business millions of pounds in damaged goods.’
Providing best practice advice for everyone involved in loading, stowing, segregating, securing and unloading packaged chemical cargo, the guidelines also provide a basis for driver training as well as setting a standard which can be referenced by enforcement authorities and the courts,
The guideline outlines the legal duties and general principles to be followed in order to ensure a safe and secure load, such as weight distribution. They also provide a matrix, which establishes four criteria for the safe segregation of products: considerations, separation, segregation, and isolation.
Also highlighted are questions of vehicle and package design and — importantly — recommended securing methods for different types of packaged goods receptacles — from intermediate bulk containers, drums, and small packs, to bagged materials, samples and pressure receptacles.
The guidelines emphasize the importance of effective induction and refresher training for staff in loading, unloading, and risk assessment procedures.
Launching the new guidelines, CBA director, Peter Newport, said, “We are pleased to create our sixth HSE endorsed industry standard for the chemical supply chain. The securing of loads is an essential element in the safe distribution of chemical materials and in maintaining the confidence of both the general public and regulators in the industry.”
The text of CBA’s guidelines can be found at www.chemical.org.uk/downloads/744/0/CBA_- load_securing_guidance_final_Version_1_Nov_2011.pdf.aspx