The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued two penalty notices, two official cautions and fined the driver and a fuel transport company, based in Guyra a total of $4,260 for breaching  requirements  relating to the safe carriage of dangerous goods.

The EPA's Manager of the Armidale Region Simon Smith said the breaches were identified during a joint EPA inspection operation with officers from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), inspecting vehicles carrying dangerous goods along the New England Highway earlier this year.

"At the time of the inspection, EPA officers identified a fuel tanker owned and operated  by the company, Guyra Fuels, in breach of a number of sections of the Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2008 and Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Regulation 2014 including:

• The vehicle was not licensed by the EPA to carry dangerous goods
• The vehicles was not carrying the appropriate safety equipment, including emergency triangles or  safety torch
• The vehicle was not carrying shipping documents
• The vehicle did not display the required telephone advisory service

The EPA issued a penalty notice and fined Guyra Fuels $4,000 for not having its tanker licensed. The driver was also issued a penalty notice and fined $260 for not carrying shipping documents. Official cautions were issued for the other offences.

"Dangerous goods, like fuel and fuel vapour can pose a risk to the environment and the community if not transported correctly.

"That is why the EPA requires all drivers and operators to have the appropriate licences and ensure they carry and display the correct safety information and equipment. Failing to do so can reduce the safety of our communities, business and environment," Mr Smith said.

Penalty notices are just one tool the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance. Others include: formal warnings, licence conditions, notices and directions, mandatory audits, enforceable undertakings, legally binding pollution reduction programs and prosecutions.

Source:  NSW EPA

What we say:

As they say, "Dangerous goods, like fuel and fuel vapour can pose a risk to the environment and the community if not transported correctly"... is very true and this shows the importance of having all your safety systems such as spill kits, documents, signage and simple safety equipment up to date all the time.  All too often, it is after an incident has occurred that the fingers are pointed and the systems are upgraded.  Why not make it before so it doesn't happen?