Transport of Hazardous Materials Risk

The risk of Transport de Matières Dangereuses (T.M.D) in Montpellier can result from an accident occurring during the transport of goods by road, rail or pipeline.

Before

• Know how to identify a dangerous goods convoy by the presence of the signs and pictograms affixed to the transport units, which identify the risk(s) generated by the goods
• Inform yourself of the risks, know the instructions and the alert signal
• Prepare the minimum equipment (battery-powered radio, drinking water supply, personal papers, medication, ....)

During

If you witness an accident:

• Remove yourself from the accident area, get to a safe place.
• Allocate help: alert the fire department (18 or 112) and/or the police (17 or 112). In your message, specify, if possible, the exact location (municipality, name of the road, ...), the means of transport (truck, train, pipeline, ...), the presence or absence of victims, the nature of the incident (fire, explosion, leak, spill, ...) and, if applicable, the product number and hazard code
• Do not expose yourself to chemicals.
• Stay indoors, seal exits and vents.

In case of product leakage or danger:

• Do not touch or come into contact with the product (in case of contact: wash and change clothes if possible).
• Leave the accident area and move away if possible perpendicular to the wind direction to avoid a possible toxic cloud.
• Rapidly seek shelter in the nearest permanent building.
• Close and caulk doors, windows and vents. Move away from it.
• Listen to radio France Bleu Hérault (100.6) and consult the city of Montpellier's website.
• Don't smoke. No flames or sparks.

In all cases:

• Respect the authorities' instructions.
• Don't expose your children to danger by picking them up from school. Schools will be equipped to take charge of them.
• Don't use the telephone, free up the lines for emergency services.

After

• If you've taken shelter, air the premises when the alert (broadcast by radio, TV...)

The risk of Transport de Matières de Matières Dangereuses is manifested in Montpellier by:

• road via the Autoroute du Soleil, the A9, but also the RN109, RD613, RD612, RD986, RD65, RD17, RD21, RD66, RD132 departmental roads, and on a local scale via communal roads
• railway on the Réseau Ferré de France (RFF) axis that crosses the southern part of the territory
• gas pipeline (high-pressure) along the A9 motorway

The consequences

The consequences are generally limited in space, due to the small quantities transported. The risk to human lives can range from minor injury to death. The nature of injuries will depend on the material being transported, but also on the distance people are from the accident. Economic and environmental issues may also be affected by the event.

Regulations and surveillance

International and national regulations impose standards for manufacture (in terms of vehicles, pipelines, ...), training (drivers, safety officers, ...), specific signage, surveillance and emergency organization. The aim is to limit accidents involving the transport of hazardous materials.

The road network

Roads are governed by the A.D.R. regulation of December 5, 1996 (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road), transcribed by the French decree of May 29, 2009. These regulations also cover vehicle signage, and goods loading and unloading operations. It also imposes technical requirements for packaging, inspection and vehicle construction. The D.R.E.A.L is responsible for carrying out technical inspections of T.M.D.

The rail network

The rail network is similarly governed by the R.I.D. regulation (relating to the international transport of dangerous goods by rail) transcribed by the French decree of December 9, 2008. The SNCF has set up Internal Response Plans, as well as pre-departure and en-route checks for trains carrying hazardous goods. The D.R.E.AL is the supervisory authority for technical inspections, even though the SNCF has been delegated to monitor the safety of these transports.

The pipeline network

The pipeline network is subject to various regulations, including the incorporation of pipeline crossing zones into the town planning documents of the municipalities crossed (in order to limit risks in the event of works). These documents can be consulted at the town hall. Operators monitor the operation of their facilities 24 hours a day. They check work carried out by third parties near pipelines.

The D.R.E.A.L is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations governing the transport of hazardous materials. A P.S.I (Plan de Surveillance et d'Intervention) defines the emergency measures to be taken in the event of a leak. These measures are tested periodically, including with public response services.