52
Improvement measure for safe transport of vehicles
Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong Wai-yin and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
On 24 February this year, an explosion occurred in a container truck which was carrying motorcycles at the time, and it is learnt that there is at present no legislation prohibiting container trucks carrying motorcycles. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
Reply:
(a)
(b)
(a)
of the controls which the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department and the Marine Department have under the existing legislation in regard to the carrying of dangerous goods by container trucks, and the details of such controls; and
whether, in the wake of the above accident, these departments will consider amending the existing legislation concerned, so as to bring in new control measures to prevent the occurrence of similar accidents; if so, of the expected implementation date of these new measures?
The Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations, Cap. 295, provides control on the conveyance of Cat.2 (compressed gas except LPG) and Cat.5 (substances giving off inflammable vapour) dangerous goods. No person shall use any mechanically propelled vehicle for the conveyance by road of these goods in containers unless the use of such vehicle has been approved by the Director of Fire Services. The Director of Fire Services also needs to be satisfied that these dangerous goods are carried in a tank wagon of an approved size, type and construction, and is equipped for the carriage, loading and discharge of such goods.
Under the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations, Cap. 374, Transport Department has published the Code of Practice for the Loading of Vehicles which deals with the safe loading/mounting of goods on vehicles. The Code of Practice has a reminder on the need to seek the Director of Fire Services' approval on the transport of dangerous goods.