TURNING OFF THE ROAD TO DISASTER

Legislation has been introduced for the compulsory labelling of tankers carrying dangerous chemicals. The label based on the Hazchem code should be shown on the rear and both sides and has four elements. The first is a diamond showing pictorially and in words the dominant hazard. Also included is a four digit number uniquely identifying the chemical through a UN register. A three-character action code gives information on how an accident should be handled. The code also contains a telephone number manned throughout the tanker's journey by an expert from the shipper. Provisions are also made for marking multi-loads. A criticism of the new regulations is that they do not apply to 'demountables' or mixed loads of chemicals on flat-backed lorries. It is argued that in this case small loads in bottles, cans and winchesters were just as dangerous as tanker loads. However there were obvious difficulties in marking flat-back lorries. The author discusses the possibilities of marking buildings in the same manner and the merits of tanker-routes. There is no present international code but it is hoped that the most important parts of the Hazchem system will be adopted. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02624079
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Magazine Limited

  King's Reach Tower, Stamford Street
  London SE1 9LS,   England 
• Authors:
  • McGinty, L
• Publication Date: 1977-5-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 262-264
• Serial:
  • NEW SCIENTIST
  • Volume: 74
  • Issue Number: 1050
  • Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 0262-4079

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chemicals; Chemistry; Commodities; Freight traffic; Hazardous materials; Hazards; Labeling; Laws; Legislation; Tankers; Traffic crashes; Vehicle marking; Vehicle rear end; Warning signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rear; Side
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Marking
• ITRD Terms: 7165: Chemistry; 283: Freight; 1556: Legislation; 9067: Rear; 9150: Risk; 9074: Side; 8119: United Kingdom; 1411: Warning panel (veh)
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Law; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00163179
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 18 1978 12:00AM