Dangerous substance bill reformed
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from October 2003.
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The Dangerous Substances Handling and Storage Bill, piloted by Communications Minister Linford Pierson, received passage in the House on Friday with several amendments, including some emanating from the debate on the bill.
Moving the second reading of the bill for Dangerous Substances Handling and Storage Law 2003, Minister Pierson explained that the bill seeks to reform the law relating to the handling, storage and transportation of more than 250 gallons of dangerous substances. stances or 250 cubic feet of compressed gas in the Islands. The existing law deals with petroleum products in volumes exceeding 100 gallons.
He noted the proposed law proffers an expanded scope with a comprehensive definition of dangerous substances.
These are petroleum, petroleum products, flammable liquid gas, flammable liquid, combustible liquid, compressed gas, flammable gas, highly volatile liquid and hazardous industrial gases.
The proposal was to use the 250 gallons or cubic feet figure as the benchmark to ensure that the inspectorate is able to effectively administer the provisions of the law.
Using this minimum volume would exclude smaller liquid propane gas installations for stoves and barbeque grills, he pointed out.
Other hazardous substances' handling and storage not governed by the proposed Continued on page 8 law are covered by the Fire Code, Minister Pierson added.
Fines for violations are substantial for offences such as engaging in activities under the law without an operating permit which attracts a maximum penalty of $50,000 or five years imprisonment or both. If the offence is a continuing one, the fines levied could be $10,000 a day or part of a day during which the offence has continued.
Mr. Pierson told the House that the ministry would embark on a public relations campaign to ensure that both large and small operators of such hazardous substances are made aware of the provisions of the new law, the need for their compliance and the penalties of their noncompliance.
Noting that the bill was prepared in full consultation with the relevant agencies including fire and environment, he told Members an amendment in committee stage would ensure that no person could be granted the right by the Cabinet exclusively to import petroleum and petroleum products into the Islands. In this era of liberalisation, exclusive rights should have no place, he observed.
Opposition Leader Kurt Tibbetts, during his contribution in the debate on the bill, raised a number of points.
Minister Pierson responded during the committee stage of the bill with several amendments.
