Transport broker plays key role in ensuring compliance

Survey reveals only three of 70 transporters were compliant IT’S UP to the transport broker to ensure the safety of the client’s product and to make use of fully compliant transporters, in the view of Hazel Briggs of HB Services. This philosophy has earned it a reputation as the ‘Rottweilers’ of the broker industry, says Briggs. “Goods never leave our warehouse without the proper Transport Emergency Card or Material Safety Data Sheets, no matter how many requests have to be made. And loads are always checked for compatibility.” She believes that this should be driven not only by commitment to clients and the industry, but also by environmental concerns. “Our transporters are vetted for compliance and after many years of experience we have a small select group on our books that are reliable and understand the nature of the industry.” But these are in the minority, says Briggs, who finds a surprising number of brokers and transporters of dangerous goods lack the will or interest to comply with legislation. “We often come across an attitude of ‘So what! – it will never happen to me’. “In a recent exercise we contacted over 70 transporters and only three fully complied with all aspects of the dangerous goods legislation, although the lack of interest may have something to do with unfulfilled business expectations. “Some of them have gone to a lot of expense to have the required audit carried out, expecting a contract or at least regular business, only to find that even after all the additional cost of ensuring that they are compliant permanent business is not forthcoming.”