JUNE 2013
20
training
Training and preparedness: Steps to
transport dangerous goods safely in SA
D
rivers of heavy commercial vehicles play a key
role in ensuring that goods are safely delivered
to their destination within the required time.
According to Richard Durrant, Owner of TRANSHEQ
Consulting, the management of professional commercial
drivers is therefore critical. In supporting this, managers
responsible for drivers need to provide ongoing assistance
with training, the drivers’ journey management, and with
the risks that they may experience while on the road.
He emphasised that according to the South African
Occupational Health and Safety Act, the ‘workplace’ is the
driver’s truck. Occupational health and safety conditions
should apply here too.
Despite the many crashes arising from the transportation of dangerous goods on South African roads, there are
ways to prevent these – if the industry reacts in a responsible and timely manner, according to discussions at a
recent Responsible Care Transport Workshop offered by the Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association.
lead sedentary lifestyles, lack good food choices and
experience fatigue. Companies can address this by
implementing a Drivers Medical Programme, suggested
Dr Botha. Such a programme should also involve
education and training; assessment of medical fitness to
drive, medical surveillance; chronic disease management
and post incident examination.
With HIV/Aids prevalent amongst drivers, Desire Meyer,
Divisional SHERQ Manager for Unitrans Fuel and
Chemicals, suggests a Drivers Wellness Programme
that can help to address this condition, and prevent any
incidences on the road. This initiative should guarantee
confidentiality and empower individuals to make positive
changes to their lifestyles. Another major issue facing
drivers is that of fatigue. Long working hours, prolonged
night work and early starting times are the common
causes of driver fatigue in the transport industry,
explained Markus Immelman, SH&E Manager for Reef
Tankers. These need to be considered and addressed to
help the driver’s performance on the road.
The legislation pertaining to drivers and the transportation
of dangerous goods were also discussed. The soon to
be implemented AARTO, or points demerits system, will
affect professional drivers, says Keith McMurray, Specialist
Advisor for Road Transport Legislation. It is therefore
important that businesses consider the impact and controls
required to manage the system when it becomes effective.
McMurray also highlighted the need for industry to pay
more attention to the requirements of SANS 10233 for the
marking of packaging for dangerous goods transportation
in IBCs. According to compliance assessments, markings
on dangerous goods packaging, including intermediate
bulk containers (IBCs) in general are illegal as many of
these fail to display the proper shipping name, UN number
or applicable class diamond.
Links Mudaly, Manager of Dangerous Goods for the
Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), explained that the
new standard – SANS 10405 – The Transportation of
Dangerous Goods by Rail – Operational Requirements,
Design Requirements and Emergency Preparedness,
published in May 2009, is still in the process of
being implemented. The RSR co-operates with other
organs of state and institutions like the Department of
Mineral Resources, The Department of Cooperative
Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Chemical
and Allied Industries’ Association.
The shortage of qualified and experienced drivers
as well as factors such as the economy and
recession are expected to see road crashes in SA
become the fourth leading cause of death.
The shortage of qualified and experienced drivers as
well as factors such as the economy and recession
are expected to see road crashes in SA become the
fourth leading cause of death. Karien Venter, Road &
Traffic Safety Researcher – CSIR Intelligent Systems and
Traffic Management emphasised that there are ways
to address this. These would involve incorporating
sustainable driver behaviour change through aspects
such as training, a workplace road safety programme
and the inclusion of specific driving standards in
company policies and procedures.
Another imperative is that of the drivers’ health and
wellness.
Dr Marina Botha, Life Occupational Health
Clinical Standards Manager explained that many
drivers typically face exposure to chemicals during
transfer and resulting from spillages, psychological
stress and ergonomic tension. Additionally, many often
