Investigation into the Relative Risks from the Road Transport of Blasting Explosives in Maximum Loads of 5 Tonne and 16 Tonne

In 1992 the UK Health and Safety Commission published a report by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances (ACDS) of a five year study into the risks of transporting dangerous commodities in the UK. The risks associated with both road and rail transportation of five such commodities, including explosives, were studied. The risks from these activities were found to be tolerable but at a level requiring consideration for further reduction 'so far as is reasonably practicable.' At the 25th DoD Explosives Safety Seminar, Mr G. E. Williamson, HM Chief Inspector of Explosives, reported on the findings of that study. Before 1989 UK legislation restricted the quantity of explosives which could be carried in a road vehicle to a maximum of 5 tons. In 1983 an exemption was granted permitting the carriage of up to 16 tons of explosives in a freight container, subject to certain specific conditions. In 1989 the Road Traffic (Carriage of Explosives) Regulations sanctioned the carriage of up to 16 tons of HD 1.1 explosives in 'Special Goods Vehicles.' This report describes the results of an investigation into the relative risks of transporting blasting explosives on road vehicles in maximum size loads of 5 tons and 16 tons. The present study makes use of movement data, explosion effects models and many of the assumptions applied in the ACDS study. The report specifically addresses the questions of whether: (i) an increase in maximum load size might reduce the chance of an explosives accident occurring on the public highway by reducing the number of explosives vehicle journeys undertaken and (ii) whether any such reduction in accident probability is outweighed by the potentially more severe consequences to be expected from explosions involving larger size loads.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Pagination: 19p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01150265
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Feb 19 2010 10:56AM