Road Transport
These cards provide information on
nature of each substance. There are
traffic regulations and equipment fail-
the nature of the load transported
also legal and financial implications: The
ure are just some of the common
and gives recommendations on what
South African Department of Transport
causes of road accidents that take
actions should be taken in case of an
has made it compulsory to have a trem-
place while transporting dangerous
incident. Spillage of hazardous sub-
card in the cab for each Dangerous
goods on our roads.
stances can have grave consequences
Goods substance being transported on
for the people involved and the envi-
a vehicle. Police forces and inspectors
ronment if the right reaction is not
are empowered to fine and prosecute
implemented. The reaction depends on
companies who do not comply with this
the nature of each individual chemical
legislation and insurance companies
substance or mixture and this is the
are unlikely to cover the costs of such
reason why each substance classified
incidents if the proper documents are
as Dangerous Goods must have its own
not carried by the vehicle.
unique tremcard.
Accidents involving dangerous goods
can cause injury and death and seriously damage property and the environment. Such accidents are of particular
concern to the chemical industry who
require their products to be delivered
safely and for Responsible Care to be
extended along the logistics chain, from
the loading point, to the final destina-
Crashes
But not everyone is trained to know how
to react in case something goes wrong
and so everyone needs to be able to do
As we’re all too aware, road accidents
something about it when it happens.
in South Africa are a major concern.
The correct action depends on the
Driver error, non-compliance with road
tion.
Responsible Care, a unique voluntary
initiative of the global chemical industry,
supports the safe transport of dangerous goods by all modes of transport.
Continuous efforts to improve safety
during transport and the associated
handling of chemicals are part of the
overall objective of both the chemical
industry and the transport industry in
accordance with the guiding principles
of Responsible Care.
Responsible Care requires that operators of heavy commercial vehicles that
transport dangerous goods introduce
a meaningful approach to road safety
that focuses on legal compliance with
South African dangerous goods transport legislation, driver management
and their training, preparedness for
emergencies on the road and the
appropriate response to such emergencies and safe operating management practices.
Partners in Responsible Care are
required to promote these practices
throughout their transportation network. The Johannesburg and Durban
workshops are designed to focus on
these issues and attempt to assist
industry obtain knowledge of new legal
requirements as well as road safety
best practices that should be implemented.
Information about the transported load must be communicated with appropriate
warning placards and s