Transporter fined R2000 for incorrect Tremcard

Further charges pending over toxic chemical spill JOY ORLEK A TOXIC chemical spill that recently closed off part of the N3 to Durban for eight hours once again cast the focus on the potentially tragic and environmentally damaging consequences of lack of compliance with dangerous goods legislation. According to the Natal Mercury, the spill happened when a Durban-bound tanker approaching Hilton outside Pietermaritzburg developed a crack in its main tank causing it to leak highly flammable aluminium sulphate. Part of the road had to be closed and vehicles using the N3 Durban-bound were stuck bumper-to-bumper for hours as emergency workers tried to clear the spill. The truck, belonging to JA Transport, was carrying the product from the Free State. Dangerous goods compliance is a subject close to the heart of EC Logistics MD Eddie Crane who has often criticised the transport industry for its reactive rather than proactive stand. “Transporters should be taking compliance seriously not only in order to avoid penalties, but from a social responsibility point of view,” says Crane. In this particular instance the truck was carrying an incorrect Transport Emergency Card (Tremcard) for which the transporter was fined R2000. But it doesn’t end there and further charges are pending. A recent reader poll conducted on FTNow, FTW’s sister publication on the internet, bears out Crane's views on industry apathy. 37% of respondents said one to four people in their companies were compliant with dangerous goods legislation, 21% had more than five compliant staff members while 42% had none. In terms of recent legislation, the transporter and consignor carry responsibility for any transgressions of the law, which is why education is so crucial, says Crane. EC Logistics offers a one-stop service for dangerous goods ranging from provision of the legal documents to a range of training modules covering all aspects of the Dangerous Goods Legislation requirements. Details are available on the website www.eclogistics.co.za The Johannesburg-based company recently opened a Durban office near the port to bring its expertise closer to the coastal community. “I’m always just a phone call away,” says Crane.