Hazards in the transport of dangerous goods : emergency preparations by the workers involved and the Civil Protection Department in Malta

Abstract

As substances that are handled and transported daily, hazardous chemicals are usually not being given much regard by many. This might be due to the fact that most people will only come across these substances in small quantities and in a controlled environment. However, when the same chemicals are being transported by road, the hazards faced need to be considered so that prevention and mitigation of accidents may be considered. By discussing with the main stake holders: transportation companies, factories, drivers, DGSAs, the Civil Protection Department, and the main authorities, this document will identify and evaluate the major hazards, and the preparedness for these hazards during transportation. A large role is played by the countries' authorities: Transport Malta and the Malta Resources Authority, as the driving force for the enforcement of the legislation. However DGSAs (Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors) also play a very large and important part as the advisors to the companies that need to transport cargo that is classified as hazardous. The system is implemented in Malta and is structured upon local and European legislation. Like many other health and safety issues, enforcement is never enough and resources are rarely sufficient. For this reason it is always a good exercise to review an existent system and try to find out ways to improve its efficiency.