Dangerous goods regulations hit parcels networks

Citation

(2004), "Dangerous goods regulations hit parcels networks", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 33 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2004.12933fab.009

Dangerous goods regulations hit parcels networks

Dangerous goods regulations hit parcels networks

Keywords: Environmental health and safety, Hazardous materials

The new British dangerous goods regulations have prompted a major rethink by parcels carriers on the acceptance of hazardous consignments. Some networks have drastically reduced the range of items carried or will only carry the so-called “Limited Quantities” items.

“The last thing operators want to do is disappoint customers, but the ever tightening of the rules means that increasingly the work must be done by specialist carriers,” explained Ian Barclay, FTA’s Sector Head for parcels carriers.

“The main problems arise at the hub, where small out of scope loads can bulk up in the consolidation process and become fully regulated.” The new rules, implemented earlier this year as part of the European harmonisation of dangerous goods transport regulations, abolish important package size thresholds. Now all dangerous goods, with the exception of very small “Limited Quantity” items, count toward total quantity limits per vehicle, above which the full force of the regulations apply.

Express parcels and pallet load carriers accepting dangerous goods must either find ways of ensuring the relevant load limits are not breached or gear up for full compliance which includes driver training, safety equipment and placards for vehicles, load specific documentation and emergency information.