Safety is the first and foremost concern of all activities involving the transport of dangerous goods (TDG). The Ministry of Transport and Communications wants to take Finland to the forefront of safe transport of dangerous goods by ensuring that provisions are observed, companies act in a responsible manner and the routes and means of transport are in good condition. The aim is also to create a set of TDG indicators to support decision making.
The Ministry's objectives in the field are articulated in the TDG strategy for the years 2012 to 2020 published on 28 June 2012. The strategy covers all modes of transport.
Similarly to previous policies in the field of TDG, the strategy stresses the prevention of accidents and damages, legislation as well as efficient dissemination of information about the legislation and the training and well-being of workers. Because the transport of dangerous goods is an international activity, it is also important to enhance the harmonisation of legislation and cooperation between government authorities in different countries.
The activities contained in the strategy are aimed to guarantee the continuity and diversity of the sector, as TDG activities are important to Finland from the viewpoint of economic policy. Based on the strategy, this aim can be reached with functional logistic chains, provisions common to all transport modes and more efficient cooperation.
A new objective incorporated in the TDG strategy is to create a set of indicators for TDG activities that would guide the management of the activities and support decision making. The indicators would be used to both supervise and anticipate the development of TDG transport. In addition to enhancing safety, the results could be used in the prevention of accidents and in the work to develop supervision and surveillance by authorities and independent control by companies.
The legislation on the transport of dangerous goods is the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. In the administrative branch of the Ministry, the responsibility for the coordination and development of the supervision and surveillance of TDG has been allocated to the Finnish Transport Safety Agency Trafi. As concerns the manufacturing, storage and use of dangerous goods, the responsibility is divided between several branches of industry (the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of the Interior).
Further information:
Ms Mari Suominen, Senior Officer, tel +358 (0)295 34 2306
