A dangerous goods transport company has been fined $4000 by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for not using the correct warning sign on a petrol tanker.
The EPA says that in December 2020, a member of the public saw that a Days Logistics petrol tanker travelling along Bradfield Highway didn’t have the correct signage, so notified the EPA.
An EPA investigation found the tanker was carrying petrol at the time but the driver hadn’t used the correct warning signs. The tanker was displaying the words “combustible liquid”, indicating it wasn’t carrying dangerous goods.
NSW EPA executive director regulatory operations Steve Beaman says Days Logistics hadn’t given their driver sufficient training or supervision.
“Companies transporting bulk dangerous goods need to do everything they can to prevent high risk behaviour from drivers. It is not enough to hand a driver a manual and a delivery address and let them loose with a petrol tanker,” Beaman said.
“With incorrect signage on the vehicle, emergency services and the public have no idea of the danger of fire or explosion from the flammable liquid in the event of an incident.
“Transport companies need to ensure dangerous goods are transported safely and lawfully. Their drivers should also be trained to use the correct routes for the goods they are carrying.”
In addition to the $4000 fine issued to Days Logistics, the driver was fined $400 for displaying false and misleading signage.
UPDATE: Big Rigs contacted the EPA for further clarification on the matter and was advised that the ‘member of the public’ referred to above was someone who works in the fuel transport industry.