WHAT HAPPENS IF THE LOAD LEAKS?

The author discusses the method of action adopted by the United States emergency services in the event of a spillage of a dangerous chemical during transit, comparing them with current UK practice. The main differences were the absence of a standard labelling code in the US such as the UK hazchem code, and a clear definition of the authority responsible for dealing with the spillage. Each state has its own regulations and some states have no requirements for the load to be labelled. US legislation requires the reporting of spillage of more than five gallons of hazardous chemicals. To achieve this aim a private organisation, called Chemtrec has been established by the chemical manufacturers. Chemtrec also provides an advice service on how to deal with the substance. An advanced data link exists which enables agents to confer with those at the scene of the accident. In the UK it is accepted that the chief fire officer is responsible for dealing with the spillage. In the US it could be the local fire chief, police chief, state agency representative or federal co-ordinator. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03091414
• Corporate Authors:

  Police Review Publishing Company, Limited

  14 St Cross Street
  London EC1N 8FE,   England 
• Authors:
  • Payne, C
• Publication Date: 1982-11-5

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 2134-36
• Serial:
  • POLICE REVIEW
  • Volume: 90
  • Issue Number: 4682
  • Publisher: POLICE REVIEW PUBLISHING CO LTD
  • ISSN: 0309-1414

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chemicals; Chemistry; Crashes; Disasters and emergency operations; Emergencies; Freight transportation; Hazardous materials; Hazards; Hazards and emergency operations; Legislation; Organizations; Regulations; Spills (Pollution)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Responsibilities
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Spillage
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 7165: Chemistry; 2184: Emergency; 741: Goods traffic; 1556: Legislation; 9057: Organization (association); 9150: Risk; 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Law; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00370902
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1983 12:00AM