Reply:
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24 -
Mr President,
(a)
(b)
Under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, all dangerous goods have to comply with the safety packaging requirements to ensure that they are safe for transportation by general goods vehicles. More volatile and inflammable types of dangerous goods must be conveyed by licensed dangerous goods vehicles. A set of standard fire safety requirements for the dangerous goods vehicles would be issued by the Fire Services Department (FSD) to the applicant for a licence for compliance. No vehicle shall carry more than 200 kg of explosives at any time except with the permission in writing of the Commissioner of Mines of the Civil Engineering Department (CED) who will limit the maximum quantity of explosives which the vehicle can carry. The vehicle needs to have safety devices like steel plate separating the engine from the explosives, engine cut-off device and prominent warning markings. A removal permit issued by the Commissioner is required each time a vehicle conveys explosives by land via an agreed route. The safety devices required on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) road tankers and cylinder wagons include quick closing valves, emergency engine shut- off and double case fuel tanks. Such vehicles cannot be used unless they have been issued with a permit by the Gas Authority (GA) of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD). A LPG road tanker or a cylinder wagon has to comply with the requirements specified in the Gas Safety (Gas Supply) Regulations.
It is a licensing requirement that the transportation of the dangerous goods must be attended by an attendant who have reasonable experience in handling dangerous goods. The driver for a vehicle carrying explosives and his assistant must be given special training on safety such as handling of emergency situations and use of fire extinguishers. The driver has to be registered with the Commissioner of Mines. The Gas Safety (Gas Supply) Regulations require that at least two trained persons must be employed on a LPG vehicle. The training for drivers and attendants of LPG vehicles is provided by the respective gas supply companies to standards approved by the GA. Each driver, as well as attendant, is issued with and trained in accordance with an operations handbook which covers all aspects of normal and emergency operations. The Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Chapter 59) also provide safety guidelines for personnel handling dangerous goods in the course of transportation.