Alan Peat
THE ROAD freight industry has registered its disappointment at government's decision to delay the June 1 start of the new dangerous goods regulations for another year.
The reason for the delay according to Road Freight Association (RFA) executive Mike Alistoun, is the current lack of expertise in dangerous goods amongst the provincial traffic departments and the need for time for training.
But, he told FTW, road transporters are keen to see the new regulations (entitled Chapter 8) incorporated in the National Road Traffic Act. This, they feel, will streamline the present vague regulations of the Hazardous Substances Act (Hazchem).
While mostly a technical change, said Alistoun, Chapter 8 will bring in the SABS (SA Bureau of Standards) regulations - their code of practice related to dangerous goods.
It will clarify what are the rather airy-fairy regulations of Hazchem.
It will also see this act fall away, as the regulations related to transportation of dangerous goods by road will no longer be under the Department of Health, but under the Department of Transport.
It's where they should have been in the first place, Alistoun said. New start date for Chapter 8 is August 1, 2001.
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