Estevan is one step closer to having a dangerous goods bylaw for the first time.
Estevan city council gave first reading to the document at Monday night’s meeting. Previously, the board of police commissioners approved it at their monthly meeting in February.
Council still has to give it second and third readings before it is official.
The bylaw stipulates where dangerous goods can be transported, reasons for carriers to be off the designated routes and fines for violations.
Fire Chief Dale Feser said most of the vehicles that carry dangerous goods stick to the truck bypass north of Estevan or the truck routes within Estevan, but this will give an opportunity for the city to crack down on those who don’t.
The routes in which dangerous goods will be allowed will mirror the existing truck routes.
Feser pointed out the city has also had problems with vehicles carrying dangerous goods being parked in commercial lots, hotel lots and residential areas where they shouldn’t be. The city wants to get a handle on it.
“We want to provide the safe places for them to park their vehicles and still be able to do business within the city of Estevan,” said Feser. “The bylaw is just put into place to make sure that everyone is following the rules.”
These vehicles also won’t be allowed around schools or buildings such as Affinity Place, unless they’re making a delivery, to limit the risk of people being exposed to a release from a commercial carrier should such an incident occur.
If a vehicle is making a pickup or delivery, it will not be allowed to remain off the dangerous goods route for an extended period of time.
Feser doesn’t believe this bylaw will put Estevan at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to doing business, nor should it create changes for residents. There will be signage indicating where vehicles with dangerous goods can travel.
Work on the bylaw started in December 2018. Several drafts were completed, and it was sent to stakeholders, including the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, who needed about six months before getting back to the city with their blessing.
They will also make a presentation to the Rural Municipality of Estevan’s Council to get their thoughts, since the truck bypass cuts through the RM.
Consultation also occurred with local industry.
“Obviously we do not want to hamper any of the way that they are doing business,” said Feser. “We have to be very sensitive to that, as we are very much an industrial city here. We want to make sure it will be quick and painless, but it makes sense.”
If a vehicle breaks down, the driver will need to contact the police service, the fire department or the bylaw enforcement officer to make them aware something has happened. The repair will need to be done as quickly as possible or the dangerous goods will have to be taken to a safe location until the repair is completed.
There could also be a fine if a vehicle carrying dangerous goods is parked in an area where it shouldn’t be, such as a residential area or even a hotel parking lot. Feser said it would be up to the company to make arrangements to get the employee from where the truck is located to the lodging for the night.
Feser believes the lack of a dangerous goods bylaw has been overlooked in the past, despite the amount of industry in the community. The city hasn’t had a serious incident that involved a truck carrying dangerous goods.
Other communities have similar documents in place, and the city consulted them to find out what they had for their bylaws.
An educational push will occur with various businesses and agencies once the bylaw is approved.
“If we do find ourselves having deliveries being made by outside carriers, at least they’ll have an idea of what exactly to do and where to go when plotting their deliveries and pickups,” said Feser.
During the police board meeting, Councillor Lyle Yanish noted there have been trucks carrying dangerous goods parked near the railroad tracks on Sixth Street and left by the tracks overnight while the driver heads home. The vehicle was then picked up the following morning. He wanted to know if that will still be allowed to happen.
Feser noted the trucks carrying dangerous goods won’t be allowed within 150 metres of a residential building, although there would be some exceptions, such as the Husky on Fourth Street and possibly the railroad tracks.
The bylaw lists a number of different violations. The penalties are $500 for a first offence, $1,000 for a second offence and $2,000 for each subsequent offence.
