Written answers

Wednesday, 28 May 2008

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Hazardous Substances

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in view of the increasing level of road haulage here and the transportation of a wide variety of product a substantial amount of which is hazardous, she is satisfied with the level of required training for drivers, particularly of articulated trucks, in matters other than their driving qualifications; the plans her Department has to oblige such operators to avail of required training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21339/08]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 2007 [S.I. No. 288 of 2007] include the rules for the training of drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods and the obligation on such drivers to hold valid driver training certificates. The rules are based on the United Nations' European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road ("the ADR Agreement"), which is updated every two years.

The Regulations stipulate, by reference to the ADR Agreement, different levels of driver training, depending on whether the goods they are transporting are packaged or are in bulk, and on the ADR Class of substance being transported. The training covers safety in operational and emergency situations.

Apart from ADR Class 1, explosives, which are the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and ADR Class 7, radioactive substances, which are the responsibility of Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority is responsible as regards driver training. This training is provided by specialised training providers approved by the Health and Safety Authority, in accordance with the Regulations, and the examinations are administered by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Ireland. Drivers of dangerous goods are obliged to hold a valid certificate to prove that they have passed the relevant examinations.

Separately, under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, employers are obliged to carry out a risk assessment and provide job specific training addressing identified hazards to all employees. Driver duties must be assessed, and this would include identifying the type and nature of work, hours of work and shift patterns, and assessing the risk posed by the demands this type of work places on individuals. The employer is obliged to put in place control measures to alleviate stressors in this work activity, e.g. scheduled breaks. If identified, specific training courses may be employed such as defensive driving courses and advanced driving skills courses.

The enforcement of those aspects of the Regulations, in relation to which the Health and Safety Authority is a competent Authority, is an operational matter for the Authority.

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