Transport of dangerous goods during the harvest campaign

The harvesting campaign is already in full swing, and one of the key factors affecting the harvest is the uninterrupted fuel supply to agricultural machinery. However, even during this period, attention must not be diverted from the safety of transporting dangerous goods. When ensuring the safety of transporting dangerous goods, there are no secondary requirements; however, there are violations that can lead not only to substantial fines but also to a ban on vehicle operation.

We would like to remind you of the violations under which vehicle operation is prohibited:

defects in the frame, coupling device, or braking system, visible distortion of the tank body geometry and its components;

leaks in pipeline connections and fittings, seepage through seals of pumps, valves, gate valves, gaskets of threaded connections, plugs, and end seals, seepage and loss of transported liquids (materials) through leaks in tank and hose connections;

visible gaps at the points where the tank is attached to the vehicle frame (chassis), geometric deformation of the tank fastening elements, supports, and clamps;

the vehicle has not passed the state technical inspection and has not been issued a permit for road traffic participation;

the vehicle is not registered with Gospromnadzor or other state bodies authorized to register vehicles intended for the transport of dangerous goods;

the certificate of approval for vehicles to transport dangerous goods is missing (or has expired);

the driver does not hold an ADR certificate confirming driver training;

malfunctions in the automation and/or emergency alarm systems;

the deadlines for tank inspections have been violated;

the requirements for marking have been violated;

modifications to the tank design have been made without coordination with the manufacturer, and in the event of any design changes affecting road safety, without a document confirming that the vehicle meets safety requirements;

damages to the loading hatch covers, their locking devices, and sealing components;

The tankers lack grounding devices specified in the operational documentation or in paragraph 58 of the Rules on Ensuring Safety in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Road Transport in the Republic of Belarus, approved by Decree No. 35 of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated 17.05.2021.

However, considering the extended service life of road tankers and the specifics of agricultural operations, constant attention must be paid to the technical condition of the tankers' load-bearing and fastening components, tire condition, protection of electrical wiring located in explosion- and fire-hazardous zones of the tankers, the operability of grounding devices and fire extinguishing equipment, and the mandatory use of the hazard information system (activation of the orange warning beacon, switching on low-beam headlights, etc.).

All light petroleum products used as fuel are inherently flammable, and some possess toxic properties; therefore, when performing the aforementioned operations, strict compliance with the established regulations for the transportation of dangerous goods and fire prevention measures is required.