01-11-05 Multi-Agency Dangerous Goods Check on M25
As part of this year's European Safety and Health week, VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) co-ordinated a dangerous goods check on vehicles using the M25, on 26 October.
The operation was held at VOSA's vehicle check site, at Leatherhead on the M25, and brought together teams from VOSA, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Environment Agency, the Metropolitan Police Service, and the Surrey and Sussex Police Forces.
The check involved intercepting light vans and heavy goods vehicles, loaded with hazardous chemicals, and examining the vehicles and paperwork to ensure that the drivers and vehicle operators were not breaching the dangerous goods regulations. Police traffic officers escorted vehicles onto the site and VOSA examiners inspected the vehicles for mechanical repair and roadworthiness. Police also made basic background checks, such as drivers' licences. The MCA checked loads and drivers' paperwork, Environment Agency enforcement officers checked that hazardous and waste materials were being properly stored and that documentation, such as waste transfer notes, were correct, and HSE looked at driver competence and vehicle emergency provisions and placarding, and confirmed that consignments met packaging and labelling requirements.
The aim of the check included educating drivers and each one was given an information pack which contained leaflets and posters on a range of issues such as dangerous goods security, driver fatigue and sea-going journeys.
During the check, 37 vehicles were examined. The MCA issued three prohibition notices for vehicles failing to comply with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code while undergoing international journeys, including shipment by boat or ferry; and VOSA served seven prohibition notices, one for Dangerous Goods Health and Safety, one for driver's hours, two for overloading, and three for mechanical defects.
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
European Safety and Health week ran from 24 to 28 October 2005.
VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls
For media inquiries about VOSA, please contact: Zita Galambosi on 0117 954 2561 / zita.galambosi@vosa.gov.uk, or Marka Rifat on 0117 954 3208 / marka.rifat@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 25/09/2006