XN000022-1976-03-31 — Page 7

6.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976

OPERATORS OF DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES GIVEN

MORE TIME TO APPLY FOR LICENCE

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THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES HAS DEFERRED FOR SIX MONTHS OR UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30) THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1973 WHICH REQUIRE THE ANNUAL LICENSING OF ALL VEHICLES USED FOR CONVEYING COMPRESSED GASES AND INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.

OPERATORS OF SUCH VERICLES WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR LICENCES SHOULD WRITE IMMEDIATELY TO THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, 11TH FLOOR, ASIAN HOUSE, HENNESSY ROAD.

ANNUAL LICENSING OF THESE VEHICLES BECAME LAW IN 1973 AND HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY ENFORCED SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR.

EARLY THIS MONTH THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED A WARNING TO ALL OPERATORS OF DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES THAT THEY WOULD FACE LEGAL ACTION IF THEIR VEHICLES WERE FOUND TO BE CARRYING DANGEROUS GOODS AFTER APRIL 1, 1976, WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE DECISION TO GRANT THE SIX MONTHS OF GRACE WAS TAKEN FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH LOCAL OIL COMPANIES AND THEIR MAIN AGENTS.+

HE SAID REPRESENTATIVES OF THESE COMPANIES HAD EXPRESSED DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING THE IR VEHICLES BROUGHT UP TO THE FIRE SERVICES AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S STANDARDS IN TIME DUE TO THE HEAVY WORK LOAD BEING EXPERIENCED IN GARAGES AND WORKSHOPS.

+IN VIEW OF THIS + THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE DIRECTOR HAS AGREED TO DEFER ENFORCEMENT OF THE REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO GIVE THE OPERATORS MORE TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.+

HOWEVER HE STRESSED THAT THIS PERIOD OF GRACE APPLIED ONLY TO THOSE VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY AUTHORISED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS.

+ANY OTHER VEHICLES NOT ALREADY AUTHORISED TO CARRY SUCH GOODS SHOULD BE LICENSED BEFORE BEING PUT INTO USE, HE WARNED.

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