New software package calculates Hazchem compliance

DANGEROUS GOODS specialist EC Logistics has just launched a software package which promises to take the hard work out of calculating whether multi-loads of hazardous materials need to comply fully with the Hazchem rules – or whether they’re exempt. It’s a pretty sensitive calculation, said MD Eddie Crane, and essential to get right. “Get it wrong and your truckload of goods could be off the road – either impounded or severely fined by the road traffic authorities for not complying with the transportation of dangerous goods (SANS 10231) section of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and its amendments.” You could also find that your insurance policy is null and void. The software, once loaded on to a PC system, will not only calculate the compliance requirements, but will also work out whether the products in a mixed chemical load are compatible and can safely be transported together on the same truck. How does the system work? There are approximately 4 000 different UN numbers listed in the dangerous goods orange book known in SA as SANS 10228, according to Crane. The numeric details for each of these product categories can be loaded in the data-base, with a calculation formula designed to work out the compliance rating for the quantity of each product being loaded – and adding them together to calculate the compliance rating of the entire load. A load is only exempt if the result of the calculation does not exceed a numerical factor of 1 000. “I have provided examples of the various details in the orange book,” said Crane, “and examples of two calculations. One with the overall load breaking that 1 000 value and not being exempt, and the other – with a reduced quantity of one of the products (benzene) – being exempt.” (See accompanying graphic) There are two ways of doing the calculation, he added. “You can do it manually, extracting the information out of the SANS codes (which is extremely time-consuming) or by making use of our tailormade calculator for your company’s specific products. “We are all very excited about the launch of this exempt quantity calculation tool which can be customdesigned to suit the individual needs of each client.” This launch, Crane told FTW, comes along with plans to open up training facilities in Johannesburg and Durban later in the year to provide various courses (including the Pr-DP-D driving permit) and increase and promote skills development in the dangerous goods transport industry. However, Crane admitted there is a snare for the company’s driver training course. “We are still waiting for the department of transport to approve service providers for the training of the Pr-DP-D driving permit – as dictated by regulation 280 of the National Road Traffic Act,” he said. It’s proving a lengthy wait. “According to a notice published in the government gazette,” Crane added, “this training should have become mandatory on January 1. But we’re still listening to the sounds of silence from the department on who has been approved.” EC Logistics has offices in Johannesburg and Durban and consults nationally.