Interview: N. De Marcellis-Warin

Hazardous Materials: supply chains under surveillance

Hungary fears a major ecological disaster due to the rupture of a tank on October 7, 2010 at bauxite-aluminum production plant. One million cubic meters of toxic mud has spread within a radius of 40 km2, many died and more than a hundred were wounded. The flow caused by this toxic red mud reached the Danube, threatening the ecosystem of the Great River. Hazardous Materials (HD) often dominate the headlines and each time the same questions arise. Can such an accident happen in Quebec? What are the HDs who are on our territory? Where are these plants? By whom is the carriage being performed?

What are the regulations surrounding these activities? What are the businesses practices? Did they often resort to outsourcing? What is the level of training of the workers? Is there a global control of risk in supply chains?
CIRANO offers an update on issues related to Quebec HD by making public the results of two unpublished surveys from fixed sites that use HD as well as all published research reports from carriers.

CIRANO's Reports

CIRANO's survey

Overview of the practices of companies using or manufacturing HM in Quebec

inventory turnover rates (risk related to the storage minimized) via truck subcontractors;
adoption of appropriate security measures on the fixed site;
Sites not fixed completely aware that they are legally liable for their deliveries of HM until they reach their final destination.
an overview of the results...

Overview of the practices of companies engaged in HM road transport in Quebec

adoption of appropriate security measures by most carriers;
risks underestimated by carriers HM (subcontracting, loading, unloading);
An encouraging overview but awareness has to be done
an overview of the results...

Hazardous materials in figures

HM and regulations

Fixed sites of HM

Transporting HM