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Hi Jonathan,
Similar popped up just recently, take a look at:
Carrying spare fuel - are you legal?
and
Filling fuel cans?
Hi Craig, I did read both these posts but it still feels like a grey area to me. I am thinking that maybe the insurance company is the place to ask? As with most of this stuff probably better to be overly cautious and play it safe. Chem boxes aren't cheap though.
Hi Jonathan,
It does seem that talking to your insurance company is a good idea, a few others in the two threads did similar.
And I'm sure you've read it, but will pop it here just in case for anyone else, advice from the Health and Safety Executive:
Petrol - small scale carriage
Thanks Craig
Jonathan,
We have been around this issue many times - here's my take (and should match my previous posts on LJN).
Petrol - if you stick to the usage limit imposed by "law" or by your insurance company there is no mandatory need to display warning stickers. Our commercial vehicle insurance states no more than 10L contained within a separate area (ie behind bulkhead) and securely fastened such that it can not fly around, get squashed and/or explode in the event of accident. All common sense to me. I would not like any of my guys bbq'd :-0)
Chemicals - should be carried in a suitable bunded container (can be metal, glass-fibre or plastic) but must be able to 'contain' the amount of pesticide being carried at the time. it should be Hazchem'd. Full stop. As regard to the display of Hazchem on the vehicle, the threat should be dictated by Stat. Use label on pesticide. Most Glyphosate (certainly Monsanto) removed the need for many control measures. Cheap Glypho is a problem still and may carry addtional warnings on container. There are some 'nasty' chemicals that indicate you should display Hazchem. It could also be argued that to display Hazchem is "best business practice".
Some will argue and poo-poo none of this is necessary, but for us it demonstrates a duty of care to staff, emergency services and public. The cost to comply is negligible and allows me to sleep soundly at night.
P.s. some insurance companies (notably DL I seem to remember) will not insure you if you declare you carry petrol/chemicals, just as they will not provide liability insurance if you use machinery over 92db ...it's crazy world
Thanks Gary,
That all makes sense to me. I just wish HSE could write it all down a plan English. Surely it shouldn't be this hard to interpret. I'm going to give my insurance company a ring just to double check.
It just like talking to VOSA over trailers, weight limits and tacho's - no-one will put their tackle on the line and prefer to let the poor 'operator/user' decipher and take a 'position'
That 'position' can and often is questioned by our boys in blue or the men in white coast from DOT/VOSA during roadside checks :-(
Some insurance companies will not 'care' but then I would suggest their premiums reflect the greater risks.
I try to mitigate risks and hopefully enjoy lower costs...
wise words