Chemical signs backed

Press, 7 January 1987, Page 3

Chemical signs backed

A proposal for chemical users and storers to have coded signs at entrances to factories and stores has been welcomed by the secretary of the South Island Fire Brigades’ Union, Mr Barry Dent. The proposal has been recommended by the Chemical Industry Council, and would see its members using the Brit-ish-type system voluntarily. Signs would indicate the presence of hazardous substances, classify the level of risk, and outline the best approach in

emergencies. Mr Dent said such a code of practice would put fire fighters in a much safer position when called to a fire where chemicals were stored. It was good also to see an industry regulating itself at a time when deregulation was in vogue, he said. “However, the transport of hazardous substances to other sites by road is still an area of concern,” said Mr Dent. A code of safe carriage of goods existed but no

legal action could be taken until something fell off a truck. “The biggest concern is the various classes of hazardous materials being placed together on the same trucks. Hopefully the Ministry of Transport and the Government will act on recommendations made in the Heveldt report of February, 1986,” he said. The report recommended adoption of a code of practice for the safe transportation of hazardous substances.