Training for drivers to provide emergency response to accidental chemical release during transportation
Hazardous Materials Driver’s Course
Under the current legislation of the Fire Safety Act (FSA), the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and its regulations, drivers transporting hazardous materials including hazardous substance as stipulated under EPMA and its regulations are required to be competently trained in preventing and mitigating accidental releases. From April 2003, both the SCDF’s Civil Defence Academy and the PSA Institute offer the Hazardous Materials Drivers Course. This Hazardous Material Drivers Course replaces the “Handling and Transportation on Dangerous Goods” course previously conducted by PSA Institute.
Hazardous Materials Transportation Driver Permit (HTDP)
All drivers who are assigned to transport hazardous substances on the roads in Singapore are required to carry a valid Hazardous Materials Transportation Driver Permit.
The Driver’s Permit comes in the form of a smart card. Each permit contains individual biometrics (i.e. fingerprints) and relevant information of the drivers. These are used in conjunction with the Driver’s Identity Verification system to verify the identity of the driver at checkpoints or any roadside inspections conducted by the relevant authorities.
Validity of the driver's permit
The permit is valid for two years and drivers are required to attend refresher Hazardous Materials Driver's Course to renew the permit.
Key objectives of hazardous material driver’s course
- Describe the IMO classification of dangerous goods and the hazards associate with the classification;
- Describe the various International hazardous materials identification system;
- Describe the legislation and code of practice for handling and transportation of hazardous materials;
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of the driver during transportation;
- Describe the emergency procedures of the drivers; and
- Able to conduct immediate fire fighting involving incipient fires.
Only drivers who have attended and passed the training course may be allowed to transport hazardous substances. To enrol for the training course, you may obtain the application form from the One-Stop Service Counter at HQ SCDF at 91 Ubi Avenue 4 or download forms from the SCDF website. (www.scdf.gov.sg)
For further clarifications, you may contact the Training Managers of SCDF at 68481540 or fax to 68483350. Alternatively, you may also contact the Training Managers of PSA Institute at 67717383 or fax to 67717316.
You may find more information about the management of hazardous substances here.