Displaying 'Radiactive' hazmat stickers on a car

Displaying 'Radiactive' hazmat stickers on a car

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38911

Original Poster:

764 posts

151 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
Hi all, Am looking for some advice.

Is it legal for a car to display 'Radioactive' warning signs (like this http://www.uksafetysigns.co.uk/low_cost_prices/da2... ) on a vehicle that isn't actually carrying such material?

For context, it's an old car that is being prepared for a 'banger rally' across Europe for charity... it's got loads of silly sign writing on it, so it's fairly obvious that it's not really carrying hazmat.

SantaBarbara

3,244 posts

108 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
In the current circumstances it may be a bad idea which will get you stopped by the police

Not a pod idea

Decky_Q

1,512 posts

177 months

Friday 25th August 2017
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Lead acid batteries and fuel are both hazardous materials so maybe you'll be ok?

lucido grigio

44,044 posts

163 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
Buy some spoof ones instead.

Zombie apocalypse type.

38911

Original Poster:

764 posts

151 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
I'm asking more for the 'letter of the law' rather than peoples opinions as to whether it's sensible/etc.

I'm satisfied with my judgment, that to any sane and reasonable person, the stickers will be taken in the context of 'decoration' on a charity banger rally. Nobody in their right mind will think for a minute that they are serious.

But of course the law is binary - hence the question about the legal aspect.

lucido grigio

44,044 posts

163 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
I always remind banger rally entrants of the "Tank Ford Galaxy" that the German Polizei confiscated and crushed.....apparently.

f1dget

359 posts

175 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
You may get some hassle trying to get on a ferry or passing through any tunnels on the continent due to imdg and adr regulations.

I know it's a charity event but not everyone will appreciate that.

Vaud

50,496 posts

155 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
f1dget said:
You may get some hassle trying to get on a ferry or passing through any tunnels on the continent due to imdg and adr regulations.

I know it's a charity event but not everyone will appreciate that.
This. Not all countries have the same sense of humour as the UK.

Be prepared to take them off or be refused access to a tunnel, etc.

38911

Original Poster:

764 posts

151 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
We were planning to cover them for Eurotunnel as I suspect their T&Cs state that radioactive materials are prohibited. Easily done and easy to uncover after - a bit of paper and some masking tape - job done.

But.... still - does anyone know what the actual law is?

Plug Life

978 posts

91 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
Blast Geiger-Müller counter sound from the stereo when the pigs approach your car for full effect.

InitialDave

11,901 posts

119 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
Interesting question, though perhaps a little silly!

This is approaching the issue from the opposite direction (do you need warnings?): http://www.hse.gov.uk/cdg/manual/commonproblems/va...

But note their advice "Carriers should have arrangements to remove or cover the hazard diamonds when dangerous substances are not being carried on the vehicle."

I can see that, for instance, P&O ferries want any irrlevant warnings must be removed/covered, but this seems to be their policy, rather than mandated by law?

f1dget

359 posts

175 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
38911 said:
We were planning to cover them for Eurotunnel as I suspect their T&Cs state that radioactive materials are prohibited. Easily done and easy to uncover after - a bit of paper and some masking tape - job done.

But.... still - does anyone know what the actual law is?
When no hazardous materials are being carried, markings should be removed from the vehicle.
It's not just the chunnel that will have issues with radioactive material passing through, due to adr tunnel codes you'd have trouble going through the Dartford tunnels or any other large tunnels on the continent. If you are spotted covering up the class diamonds you may be stopped for a chat as the tunnel controller may think you are trying to sneak stuff through.

Also bare in mind that if you were involved in an accident and you are unable to communicate with the emergency services you may spark a large incident as they will assume the worst and treat it as a nuclear accident.

Vaud

50,496 posts

155 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
Interesting question, though perhaps a little silly!

This is approaching the issue from the opposite direction (do you need warnings?): http://www.hse.gov.uk/cdg/manual/commonproblems/va...

But note their advice "Carriers should have arrangements to remove or cover the hazard diamonds when dangerous substances are not being carried on the vehicle."

I can see that, for instance, P&O ferries want any irrlevant warnings must be removed/covered, but this seems to be their policy, rather than mandated by law?
Private companies can set there own policies - they can deny to serve you if you breach their terms.

In Europe - who knows? The French, German and Swiss authorities tend to be increasingly strict.

Maybe have magnetic symbols applied to the boot or bonnet and remove as needed?

38911

Original Poster:

764 posts

151 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
Cheers all for the replies. No issues in 'covering up' when needed - and the magnetic suggestion is a good one.

f1dget

359 posts

175 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
38911 said:
Cheers all for the replies. No issues in 'covering up' when needed - and the magnetic suggestion is a good one.
Magnetic one's can fly off at less than motorway speeds, foldable diamonds may be the way too go.
https://shop.hazchemsafety.com/shop/product.aspx?t...

I hope this will also answer some of your questions.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/cdg/manual/commonproblems/va...

48k

13,084 posts

148 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
38911 said:
But.... still - does anyone know what the actual law is?
There won't be one actual law if you are travelling across Europe...

llewop

3,588 posts

211 months

Friday 25th August 2017
quotequote all
38911 said:
We were planning to cover them for Eurotunnel as I suspect their T&Cs state that radioactive materials are prohibited. Easily done and easy to uncover after - a bit of paper and some masking tape - job done.

But.... still - does anyone know what the actual law is?
Eurotunnel absolutely fine with radioactive materials, as long as declared - daily traffic, but you might have to go 'freight', but since all of that is the opposite of what you want - cover or remove is the obvious solution as others have said.

vonhosen

40,233 posts

217 months

Saturday 26th August 2017
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48k said:
38911 said:
But.... still - does anyone know what the actual law is?
There won't be one actual law if you are travelling across Europe...
That's why we have ADR (European Agreement covering Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road)
If compliant with ADR on International journey you aren't beholden to each individual countries legislation that you travel through, ADR adequately covers it.

In respect of markings when not carrying

HSE Operational Strategy and Enforcement said:
18 Displaying placards when not carrying dangerous goods could mislead the emergency services. This can often be dealt with by removing the placards; it is not usually necessary to issue a PN. However, enforcement officers should take a more serious view where the offence involves the unnecessary display of hazard warning panels etc. on empty and cleaned road tankers, tank containers or vehicles designed to carry dangerous goods in bulk. Formal enforcement action should be considered in these circumstances, particularly if there is evidence that the carrier and/or a particular driver have been previously warned for the same offence.
They also take a dimmer view of inappropriately showing displaying Class 1 (Explosives) or Class 7 (Radioactive) markings.

otolith

56,134 posts

204 months

Saturday 26th August 2017
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Car on fire. Occupants trapped. Hazard symbols on car. Looks like they might be a joke, but do you want to make the call?

I'd think of another joke, or do it when you get there.

carreauchompeur

17,846 posts

204 months

Saturday 26th August 2017
quotequote all
Just.... don't.