The past several days, June 6-8, Willem Hoogerhout and Wim van de Coevering, inspectors of the Inspection, Traffic and Transport (IVW) from The Netherlands have given the last modules on dangerous goods on respectively Saba and St. Eustatius. Following an inventory regarding the transport of dangerous goods in 2009, trainings were stared at the beginning of 2010.
Participants in the training represented different services in the harbour, airport, fire department, police and also the Public Health Departments (GGD) and the hospital. The last modules explained who is responsible in the chain of transport. In order to guarantee safety during sea-, and air transport, but also by road, is very important that all concerned know which tasks they must carry out. The stakeholders in the chain of transport must therefore be trained and must know what to do in the event of an accident involving dangerous goods. Also, the enforcement, acting during a violation of the law is dealt with within three days.
The law on sea, air and road transport is harmonized as much as possible through the United Nations; however there are differences to be seen in the regulations. Domain specific matters were dealt with during the course. As a result, a select group of in total 28 persons on the BES islands will sit the International examinations during the third week in June (20 – 25 June). Eights persons will sit the examinations for IMDG- code for shipping, eight for the ICAO-TI (aviation), 12 for the still to be implemented law for the transport (ADR) of dangerous goods on the road. The objective is for the knowledge to remain within this group of qualified persons.
Hoogerhout and Van de Coevering will continue to support the group. As of next year it is the intention to provide refresher courses. Also, some initiative has already been taken to conduct joint inspections together with the governments on the transport of dangerous goods. IVW has an important supervisory role on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba.