§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many accidents have been recorded in the last 154W three years involving vehicles transporting liquefied petroleum gas; and what special arrangements are made to ensure the safety of such vehicles;
(2) what special arrangements are made to secure public safety in regard to the transport by road of liquefied petroleum gas; and if he has consulted the views of public fire services.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Health and Safety Executive is aware of one accident and three dangerous occurrences involving the carriage of liquefied petroleum gas in 1979 and one accident and one dangerous occurrence in 1980. Since comprehensive reporting arrangements under the Notification of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1980 came into operation from 1 January 1981, such incidents involving the carriage of LPG have been reportable and one accident and three dangerous occurrences have been notified.
From 1 January 1982 the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulations 1981 will place a duty on the operator of such a vehicle to ensure that the carrying tank or tank container is suitably constructed and adequately maintained. These regulations will also cover driver training and instruction and the appropriate working of the vehicle. Approved codes of practice will support the regulations on points of construction and operation. Further controls over the carriage of dangerous goods in packages are currently under discussion: the first stage would cover LPG in cylinders with a capacity of 200 litres and above. There were extensive consultations with the fire services and other interested organisations in the course of preparing these regulations.