TRUCK SAFE LOADING
The safe loading of trucks is in place to ensure petroleum products reach its consumers safely. Various regulations and checks are involved for a truck to be considered safe for loading and offloading dangerous goods, in this case petroleum product. Vehicles must have various certificates certified by DEKRA. Drivers must also have the correct permits and certification to ensure that they have the knowledge to safe load and offload products. This precautionary certification ensures that the transport is eligible for loading and offloading safely and ultimately safe for other road users and drivers.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE TRUCK LOADING?
Specialised/ Qualified truck drivers are responsible for safe truck loading. The driver must be trained and qualified to safely load and transport petroleum. Some of the documentation include:
- Eye Tests,
- Medical Examinations,
- Code 14 driving license and
- Dangerous Goods Permit (DGP).
TRUCK SAFE LOADING CHECKLIST
For a truck to be considered safe for loading, offloading and transportation of fuel the following certifications will need to be in place:
- Roadworthy certificate
- Barrel certificates
- Hose continuity certificate
- Sensor certificate
- Pneumatic certificate
These documents are preceded by a 12-month DEKRA permit. An operator should take their truck and trailer for inspections with DEKRA. DEKRA then checks some of the following aspects:
- Tankers
- Pipes
- Oil leaks
- Document box
- Undercarriage
- Main Isolator switch
- Fire extinguishers
- Vehicle lights, tire conditions, and wires
WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN OFFLOADING
There are two types of systems to be used
1 –Power Take Off (PTO) and
2 – Gravity.
PTO involves the offloading of illuminating paraffin (IP) and diesel while gravity is the offloading all petroleum products where the tanks are underground.
PTO Safe offloading
PTO is critical to provide sufficient force to the auxiliary equipment. This is effective for the offloading of products such as illuminating paraffin and diesel.
Gravity Safe offloading
- Drivers must switch off the truck when offloading.
- Drivers must have 3 cones available to place around the area where they will be offloading. These cones serve to alert the public to be aware that the product will be offloaded in the specific area.
- Drivers must also Check dips, products, and filling pipes. This includes making use of instruments such as water finding paste to check the presence of water in the tanks.
SUCCESSFUL TRUCK SAFE LOADING
To ensure safe truck loading is in place, an operator should follow laws and regulations as stipulated by the Department. This includes obtaining certificates and having a specialized driver who knows about the product and liaise with DEKRA for roadworthiness and vehicle checks. This ensures the overall success in loading a truck according to regulations for the product is stored correctly and safely.
For more information about truck loading and our products. Visit the link https://gaspet.co.za/contact/ to make contact or send us a message on our social media pages.