A dangerous cargo or hazardous material or hazmat is any substance or material that is being transported which poses an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when it is transported for commercial purposes. According to the latest reports, Dangerous cargo has been the cause of more than twenty-five percent of shipping incidents. Governments across the globe have realized that all stakeholders need to work in synergy with each other to safeguard people, infrastructure, environment, assets, etc. from damage by hazardous chemicals and other types of dangerous cargo. It is a fact that improper identification of dangerous cargo, unstable loads, mistakes during the unpacking process, etc. has wreaked havoc on land, air, and sea. The most important requirement for reducing accidents involving dangerous cargo is proper identification, packaging, safe transportation, legitimate communication of the hazards through appropriate color-schemed labeling, etc. During land transportation, a lot of emphasis needs to be put on adequate skilling of the driver.
Which law regulates the transportation of dangerous cargo in New Zealand?
A dangerous cargo endorsement is actually a life and asset saving tool. In New Zealand, the transportation of dangerous cargo is guided by the Land Transport Rule 45001/1 Dangerous Goods 2005. Earlier, the activity of carrying dangerous cargo was guided by the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 1999 brought into effect on the 3rd of May 1999. The present rule was brought into effect on the 27th of June 2005. This act clearly states that the driver of vehicles carrying dangerous goods needs to have additional endorsements on his or her valid New Zealand driving license. The driver transporting dangerous goods also needs to go through a proper certification process to pick up the necessary skills required to transport dangerous cargo safely.
Which goods are classified as dangerous cargo?
It is also a fact that many necessary goods of regular use also pose an acute danger. The goods classified as dangerous cargo by the 2005 Act are ammunition, fireworks, oxyacetylene cylinders, aerosol canisters, welding cylinders, LPG cylinders, CNG cylinders, compressed air cylinders for scuba diving, diesel, petrol, methylated spirits, epoxy resin, etc. The list also includes a few swimming pool chemicals, dishwasher detergents, and even a few commercial and household cleaning products. Although these products may seem harmless, they have a great potential to cause accidents when transported in high volume. They have a chance of leaking, exploding, generating toxic fumes, etc. when subjected to high temperatures, continuous vibrations, static electricity, arbitrary pressure variations, etc.
What does the driver need to do?
Therefore, it is evident that the transportation of hazardous goods needs a specially trained, especially skilled driver. To drive a heavy vehicle such as a truck, a valid Truck Licence NZ is a statutory requirement. Apart from trucks, heavy vehicles such as trailers, heavy forklifts, buses, etc. can only be driven with a legitimate heavy vehicle license. The driver must have the correct license from the four classes of a license issued for driving heavy vehicles in New Zealand. Special endorsements are also required. The driver carrying dangerous cargo or hazardous goods needs to make a valid application for D, F, R, T, W DL19 endorsement. He or she also needs to present a valid New Zealand driver’s license. He or she can also present two other forms of identification and have a valid certificate to prove that he or she has passed the D endorsement course. He or she also needs to show a recent and valid eyesight certificate. After this, the applicant can apply for a D endorsement. However, it should be noted the endorsement needs to be made on his or her valid New Zealand driving license. A proper legitimate course ensures that the person is equipped with the requisite knowledge, experience, and special skills required for transporting dangerous goods in the safest manner possible. A MEWP Training NZ includes lessons on the identification of hazards and the training required for operating mobile elevated work platforms safely. MEWP courses normally include the operation of scissor lifts, self-propelled boom lifts, etc.
These courses enable a person to promote health and safety and save millions for a business by avoiding accidents.
Business Name: Roadtrain Ltd
Country: New Zealand
Address: 59B Bond Street, West Invercargill, Invercargill 9810
Email: lindsay@roadtrain.nz
Contact No: +64272232837