New regulations on the transport of petrol
November 22, 2004
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is seeking views from the petroleum and road haulage industries on proposals for new regulations covering the transport of petrol by road and rail.
The draft regulations are designed to be short and straightforward and will be known as the Tank Vehicles (Loading and Unloading of Petroleum-Spirit) Regulations.
The draft legislation will replace existing regulations covering the safe transportation of petrol by tanker, ie the loading of tankers, their carriage and unloading.
Currently, regulations covering the transport of petrol by tanker are contained in both the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 (CDGRoad) and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulations 1996 (CDGRail).
Earlier this year, most of the requirements set out in CDGRoad and CDGRail were transferred to the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004.
However, this legislation only covers the general carriage of dangerous goods and does not include any specific requirements relating to petrol.
To maintain safety standards and ensure continued compliance with European law, the provisions concerning the transport of petrol by tanker would, therefore, be transferred to the new legislation, allowing the remaining 1996 Regulations to be revoked.
Announcing the consultation, Bill Callaghan, Chair of the HSC, said, "The proposed changes will not be significant - we are merely finding a new home for existing requirements. Because the new regulations do not change any legal duties, we believe they will not have any impact on costs for industry."
The consulation closes on 9 February 2005.
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