2.3 Standard Operating Procedures for Preparing the Vehicle for Loading and Off-loading

It is vital to adhere to the standard operating procedures relating to the class of substance/goods and related equipment in order to prepare the vehicle for loading and off-loading. For example, when loading substances/goods classified as “Flammable” it is important to follow standard operating procedures such as ensuring there are no naked flames as they could light up the substance. Standard operating procedures when loading and off-loading flammable substances/goods also require that no equipment that causes static should be used within the range. Such equipment includes cell phones and radio equipment. SOPs of this substance also require that the right type of fire-fighting equipment be within range during loading and off-loading in case of a fire. The firefighting equipment has to be of the correct class. It is critical that the class of substance/goods and related equipment is ascertained so that the standard operating procedures are ensured and adhered to in order to prepare the vehicle for loading and off-loading.

SOP`s will vary according to the type of substance being used but they may all include the following items:

• Handling of substances;
• What the substance is used for;
• Wearing of required PPE;
• Loading and offloading procedure;
• Storage/Containing methods;
• Fire Risk Prevention and Firefighting measures;
• Emergency procedures (Medical, Fire and Explosion);
• Transport vehicle requirements;
• Documents (Competencies, tremcards, routes to be followed and substance information, legislative requirements, registers/checklists);
• Responsible persons.