Car you transport fluorescent tubes in a car?

[Brioss]

I'm sure someone on here will be able to assist, Google has given me nothing. I have a team of Field Engineers that need to carry a small amount (4 or 5) 90cm fluorescent tubes in there cars. One of them tells me, that due to WEEE regs, they cant be carried in cars as there is no secure bulkhead. Apparently bulbs need to be stored sealed away from the driver, due to the risk of gas and mercury, in the event of breakage. Does anyone know this to be true, I suppose it seams feasible, whats the solution, if I cant just put them in the boot? Do we all need a roof box or a sealed box in the boot.

Any info most appreciated

Brian

[Mr Overheads]

Have you tried asking your insurance company if it's an issue of possible liability.

[Doofus]

So you're not allowed to buy bulbs in a shop and take them home in your hatchback?

bks, say I

[DozyGit]

Brioss said:

I'm sure someone on here will be able to assist, Google has given me nothing. I have a team of Field Engineers that need to carry a small amount (4 or 5) 90cm fluorescent tubes in there cars. One of them tells me, that due to WEEE regs, they cant be carried in cars as there is no secure bulkhead. Apparently bulbs need to be stored sealed away from the driver, due to the risk of gas and mercury, in the event of breakage. Does anyone know this to be true, I suppose it seams feasible, whats the solution, if I cant just put them in the boot? Do we all need a roof box or a sealed box in the boot.

Any info most appreciated

Brian

From my last course on this, I remember that all tubes are transported in special containers and disposed off using special equipment.

If you are business, by the sounds of it, you will need to have all the special kit, as if your staff crash the car;
1. They can sue you for damage to health (law is on their side) and you will be personally liable if you are an MD
2. The council/environment agencies will fine you if you discharge it in an accident etc and if reported by disgruntled employees.

If you are a private individual these may not be as applicable I suspect.

Ask the local council environmental department on the regulations. Hope it helps

Edited to add these
http://www.mercuryrecycling.co.uk/tube.htm
http://www.aawaste.co.uk/Fluorescent-Light-Tube-Re...

Edited by DozyGit on Wednesday 17th February 18:58

[Simpo Two]

Doofus said:

So you're not allowed to buy bulbs in a shop and take them home in your hatchback?

bks, say I

But this is a business with employees and therefore a whole different kettle of worms becomes involved.

[mrmr96]

Simpo Two said:

Doofus said:

So you're not allowed to buy bulbs in a shop and take them home in your hatchback?

bks, say I

But this is a business with employees and therefore a whole different kettle of worms becomes involved.

Indeed, there's lots of things you can do off your own back which you can't instruct an employee to do. Dufus!

[Simpo Two]

DozyGit said:

From my last course on this, I remember that all tubes are transported in special containers and disposed off using special equipment.

If you are business, by the sounds of it, you will need to have all the special kit, as if your staff crash the car;
1. They can sue you for damage to health (law is on their side) and you will be personally liable if you are an MD
2. The council/environment agencies will fine you if you discharge it in an accident etc and if reported by disgruntled employees.

Which explains rather splendidly why China is making billions and buying up the world, and we're fked

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 17th February 21:30

[ClassicMercs]

More bks

Get the guy his P45. If he wants to save the environment tell him to drive more efficiently - reducing the risk of damage in the first place.

[dilbert]

Brioss said:

I'm sure someone on here will be able to assist, Google has given me nothing. I have a team of Field Engineers that need to carry a small amount (4 or 5) 90cm fluorescent tubes in there cars. One of them tells me, that due to WEEE regs, they cant be carried in cars as there is no secure bulkhead. Apparently bulbs need to be stored sealed away from the driver, due to the risk of gas and mercury, in the event of breakage. Does anyone know this to be true, I suppose it seams feasible, whats the solution, if I cant just put them in the boot? Do we all need a roof box or a sealed box in the boot.

Any info most appreciated

Brian

This isn't a big issue. If you have them floating about loose, they'll break anyway, which is no good if you actually want to use them.

Just get a length of underground drainpipe, and make/buy some bungs. If you're paranoid about the safety angle, get bungs that have rubber seals. Stick some foam in the ends to stop the tubes rattling about.

Drainpipe & fittings - by Build Centre
Foam - by local upholsterer

If the tubes do break, the bits all remain in the drainpipe. You can take the end off and dispose of the glass into a container with ease.

Bear in mind that if you cut yourself on the glass from a lighting tube, you'll have a job to get the cut to stop bleeding. (At least that's what I hear)

Edited by dilbert on Thursday 18th February 00:40

[Doofus]

mrmr96 said:

Simpo Two said:

Doofus said:

So you're not allowed to buy bulbs in a shop and take them home in your hatchback?

bks, say I

But this is a business with employees and therefore a whole different kettle of worms becomes involved.

Indeed, there's lots of things you can do off your own back which you can't instruct an employee to do. Dufus!

My point is that there is fundamentally no difference whether it's aprivate individual or an employee, and this is precisely why I hate H&S with a passion. It's also one of the main reasons I sold my business six years ago. I just can't be bothered with mealy-mouthed beaurocrats telling me what I can and cannot do.

If I'd had an employee who told me they couldn't carry lightbulbs on company business, they wouldn't have been an employee for long.

Note to everybody: You're a grown-up, so get a fking grip!

[Smiler.]

Doofus said:

mrmr96 said:

Simpo Two said:

Doofus said:

So you're not allowed to buy bulbs in a shop and take them home in your hatchback?

bks, say I

But this is a business with employees and therefore a whole different kettle of worms becomes involved.

Indeed, there's lots of things you can do off your own back which you can't instruct an employee to do. Dufus!

My point is that there is fundamentally no difference whether it's aprivate individual or an employee, and this is precisely why I hate H&S with a passion. It's also one of the main reasons I sold my business six years ago. I just can't be bothered with mealy-mouthed beaurocrats telling me what I can and cannot do.

If I'd had an employee who told me they couldn't carry lightbulbs on company business, they wouldn't have been an employee for long.

Note to everybody: You're a grown-up, so get a fking grip!

Ok, thanks.

Except one is unlikely to have fluorescent tubes permanently kept in ones car. Furthermore, these aren't 'bulbs', they 3ft long linear tubes & are much more fragile.

Although the mercury content has been greatly reduced in modern fluorescent lamps, it's still nasty stuff.

As to the OP's question - I can't confirm either way, but I know what I'd be doing.

Common sense should prevail, but this thread shows yet again that it is the real casualty here.

Dilbert has the right idea.

[Brioss]

Thanks for everyone's help, it does seem like H&S BS, but I have to comply. I cant find too much about this, Newey & Eyre were I get the lamps from, dont see any issue's as the volume of lamps is low (25 Max) I like the idea of the drain pipe, what ever next?

Thanks

[Brioss]

Good news, I spoke to he HSE today and they have no issue with the transportation of these lamps, but referred me to the Dept of Transport Dangerous Goods. I was told they also have no issue with these as anything deemed a dangerous goods, is given a UN number (United Nations) lamps are exempt
I suppose I should be happy Im all legal and complaint.

Thanks everyone.

Edited by Brioss on Thursday 18th February 14:28