30 Essential Road Safety Rules

Every now and then, we come across new vehicles on the road. Hence, it is vital to know and to follow the basic road safety rules and to ensure that everyone else follow these rules too. The road safety rules are designed to suit the best interest of the Indian citizens. In a huge country like India, it may be difficult to execute these safety rules; but, it is not impossible.

Here are 30 essential road safety rules to be followed in India:

1. Keep Left:

Drive adjacent to the left side of the road and let other vehicles in the opposite direction to pass on the right hand side.

2.  Turning Left:

If you want to turn left, stay close to the left side and then, turn left. After turning, continue to stay to the left side of the road.

3.  Turning Right:

When you want to turn right, you should first come to the center of the road carefully and then, turn right keeping your vehicle close to the left side of the road.

4.   Passing:

Always remember to pass or overtake the vehicle in front of yours from its right side.

5.  Passing Prohibited:

Overtaking or passing a vehicle and progress in the same direction is prohibited in the following cases:

If overtaking or passing causes trouble to any other vehicle moving in any direction

Overtaking is prohibited in a curve as you may not have a clear view of the road ahead and sometimes, it may lead to serious accidents

It is not wise to overtake or pass if you see the other vehicle's driver already starting to overtake your vehicle

If the other driver does not give a signal allowing your vehicle to overtake their vehicle

6.  When another Vehicle Overtakes your Vehicle:

You should not try to increase your speed or do anything that prevents the other vehicle from passing or overtaking.

7.  Intersections:

You should be extra cautious while approaching a junction, intersections or a crossing. Make sure that your vehicle does not cause any inconvenience to other vehicles or pedestrians.

8.   Right of Way:

While approaching an intersection, always give a right of way to vehicles already progressing on that particular road. In other cases, you should proceed only after giving way to vehicles approaching from the right side of the road..

9.  Emergency Vehicles:

As a road user, it is your responsibility to give way to fire service vehicles and ambulances.

10.  Pedestrians

Pedestrians have the right of way at pedestrian crossings or zebra crossings.

11.  “U” Turns:

U turns can only be taken when

There is no warning sign nearby

You give a proper indication to other vehicle drivers that you are going to take a U turn either by hand signals or vehicle indicators

You confirm through the mirrors that there is no traffic behind your vehicle

There is no traffic around your vehicle and take U turn only when it is safe

12.  Required Signals:

 If your vehicle indicators get damaged without any warning, what will you do? At this juncture, hand signals can be really helpful and hence, it is essential for you to learn them. Here are certain situations where hand signs can be used when your vehicle indicator or brakes are not in proper working condition:

When your vehicle is slowing down

When your vehicle is preparing to stop

When you are planning to turn right or overtake a vehicle from the right side

When you plan to turn left

When you give permission to the vehicle behind you to overtake your vehicle

13.  Indicators:

By using mechanical devices or electronic devices, you can simplify the signals for indication.

14.  Parking:

When you park the vehicle, make sure that it does not cause any hurdle or disturbance to any other road users.

15.  Registration:

No goods or loads should be kept in a way that hinders the visibility of other vehicles, the headlamps, tail lamps or the vehicle's registration number. If the vehicle's registration number is some way tampered, it should be replaced immediately with a duplicate one.

16.  One way Roads:

In the case of one way roads, try to drive only in the direction indicated on the road signs. Never park your vehicle in reverse on a one way street.

17.  Stop Lines:

When there are stop lines on the road, ensure that you stop the vehicle behind those lines.

18. Towing:

No vehicles should be towed closer to other vehicles on the road. Some of the exceptions are:

Vehicles that are mechanically disabled

x

Partially assembled vehicles

Registered trailers and sidecars

All these vehicles are allowed to tow for the purpose of delivery, reaching the nearest service station, or garage.

19. Noise:

Drivers should not:

Use the horn needlessly

Use the horn in prohibited areas like hospital zones, school zones, etc.

Use horns that are blaring, irritating, or loud

Use vehicles that cause a lot of noise when in motion

Drive vehicles without proper silencers

20.  Traffic Lights and Signs:

Always obey traffic signs, the instructions given by traffic officials or any other authorized person.

21.  Following Distance:

It is better to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you since there is a chance for the vehicle to stop suddenly. When you keep sufficient distance, you will be able to avoid unnecessary hazards.

22.  Right of way on Steep Roads:

When the width of the road decreases, it will be difficult for each vehicle to pass at the same time. In such cases, it is always better to stop your vehicle aside and let the other vehicle pass.

23.  Obstruction of Control:

You should not allow anything that obstructs the view of the road. No one should be permitted to settle, stand, or place anything that hinders his control on the vehicle.

24.  Passing Pedestrians:

Do not drive your vehicle at a speed of more than 25 km/hr, especially when you pass a procession, meeting, strike, or a march.

25. Tractor and Goods Carriages:

It is not allowed to carry passengers on a tractor. Also, drivers of good carriages should not allow more passengers than registered.

26. Loading:

It is dangerous to overload vehicle with materials. There should not be anything in the loads that extend towards the front, back or rear side of the vehicle that cause inconvenience to other road users. Also, it should follow the height restrictions decided by the authorities.

27. Hazardous / Dangerous Materials:

 It is better for a public transport service to not carry explosive, inflammable, or harmful substances as it can be dangerous to them as well as other road users.

28.  Driving in Reverse:

When you take reverse, you should ensure that it does not cause annoyance to any other people on the road.

29. Essential Documents:

A driver should possess the following documents while driving a vehicle: –

Driving license

Registration certificate of the vehicle

Taxation certificate

Insurance certificate

Fitness certificate

Safe Driving Permit

All the above documents should be produced on the demand of a police officer or any authorized person. If the documents are not with them, either the attested copies should be given to the officer directly or sent by post within 15 days.

30.  Additional Regulations:

In addition to the rules mentioned above, the drivers should be aware about their duties, speed limits, weight limits, signals, etc. Also, they should have an idea about the consequences of driving vehicles without relevant documents, drunken driving etc.

The above mentioned rules can be very much valuable for people of all ages. These rules can make the people safe and secure on the roads. Every year, the number of vehicles on road goes on increasing; so does the importance of road safety. Hence, knowing essential road safety rules can help you and your friends from road related crisis.

Solid & Hazardous Waste Questions And Answers

Question 1.  Hazardous Waste is defined by

A) OSHA

B) Its physical state

C) U.S. EPA

D) Local authorities

Question 2. Which of the following is Not hazardous waste

A) Pesticides

B) Batteries

C) Organic plant refuse

D) Heavy metals

Question 3. The facility where hazardous waste is created is call the

A) Waste generator

B) Chemical processor

C) Storage area

D) Controlled area

Question 4. The place where hazardous waste is created and stored temporarily is called

A) Generation point

B) Satellite Area

C) Chemical storage area

D) Exclusion zone

Question 5. What is the maximum volume of waste that can be stored at a satellite area

A) 550 pounds

B) 12 cubic feet

C) 300 gallons

D) 55 gallons

Question 6. The centralized hazardous waste storage are may store waste for

A) 1 year

B) 10 hours

C) 90 days

D) 5 shifts

Question 7. The EPA defines hazardous substances as having one or more of the following characteristics: ignitability, corrosives, reactivity, or toxicity.

A) True

B) False

Question 8. A substance that is poisonous to humans or other organisms by interfering with normal body physiology is called a

A) Hazardous substance.

B) Toxic substance.

C) Hazardous waste.

D) Lethal dose.

E) None of the above

Question 9. Hazardous wastes are regulated in the United States under which environmental regulatory act?

A) Clean Water Act (CWA)

B) Clean Air Act (CAA)

C) Hazardous Waste Regulation Act (HWRA)

D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

E) None of the above

Question 10. In the industrialized countries of Europe and North America, chemical and petrochemical industries produce nearly 70% of all hazardous wastes.

A) True

B) False

Question 11. During a toxicology study, the highest level of exposure at which none of the test animals is affected is called the

A) LD50.

B) Threshold level.

C) Safe level.

D) Acute level.

E) Chronic level.

Question 12. What do toxicologists call the exposure to small doses of a particular chemical over long periods of time, like our exposure to lead in paint and gasoline?

A) chronic exposure

B) acute exposure

C) renewed exposure

D) non-persistent exposure

E) none of the above

Question 13. Regulations for persistent chemicals, like PCBs, tend to emphasize the importance of chronic exposure, while regulations for non-persistent chemicals, like pesticides, tend to emphasize the importance of acute exposure.

A) True

B) False

Question 14. The most serious environmental effect posed by hazardous wastes is

A) Air pollution.

B) Contamination of groundwater.

C) Increased use of land for landfills.

D) Destruction of habitat.

E) None of the above.

Question 15. The federal program that deals with the cleanup of hazardous waste sites is popularly called

A) National Priority List.

B) Superfund.

C) Toxic Waste Reduction and Removal.

D) United States Office of Technology Assessment.

E) none of the above.

Question 16. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are about 2500 hazardous waste sites in the United States that are eligible for placement on the National Priority List for cleanup at an estimated cost of nearly $30 billion.

A) True

B) False

Question 17. Due to increases in population and the United States economy, the EPA reported that hazardous waste production has increased dramatically since the early 1990s.

A) True

B) False

Question 18. Of the following ways to manage hazardous waste, which would the EPA emphasize first through its pollution-prevention hierarchy?

A) recycling

B) pollution prevention

C) land disposal

D) incineration

E) none of the above

Question 19. If waste oil from automobiles is burned in power plants, this is an example of

A) treatment of wastes.

B) pollution prevention.

C) waste recycling.

D) land disposal.

E) none of the above.

Question 20. Despite the EPA's emphasis on pollution prevention, over 80% of the hazardous wastes in North America, Europe, and Japan are disposed of on land or through water treatment plants.

A) True

B) False

Answers : 

1. C, 2. C, 3. A, 4. B, 5. D,

6. C, 7. A, 8. B, 9. D, 10. A,

11. B, 12. A, 13. A, 14. B, 15. B,

16. A, 17. B, 18. B, 19. C, 20. A

Job Safety Analysis (JSA) / Job Hazard Analysis

Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is an approach to an accident prevention.

A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a procedure which helps integrate accepted safety and health principles and practices into a particular task or job operation. In a JSA, each basic step of the job is to identify potential hazards and to recommend the safest way to do the job. Other terms used to describe this procedure are job hazard analysis (JHA) and job hazard breakdown.

Some individuals prefer to expand the analysis into all aspects of the job, not just safety. This approach is known as total job analysis. Methodology is based on the idea that safety is an integral part of every job and not a separate entity. In this document, only health and safety aspects will be considered.

7 BASIC STEPS OF JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS (JSA):

1.    Job Identification - Communication of Scope

2.    Job Analysis - Identifying The Job Steps

3.    Hazard Identification - Identifying The Hazards In Steps

4.    Hazard Prioritization - Assessing Risk And Priorities

5.    Hazard Controls - Applying Control & Risk

A.    Elimination

B.    Substitution

C.   Engineering Controls

D.   Administrative Controls

E.    Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)

6.    Documentation - Formalized Method (Communication)

7.    Monitor And Review - Ongoing

3 BASIC STEPS OF SAFETY TASK ASSIGNMENT (STA):

1. Pre Task Planning

2. Hazards Identification & Correction

3. Supervisor And Employee Accountability

HAZCHEM CODE - EMERGENCY ACTION CODE

Emergency Action Code, commonly known as the "Hazchem Code" is a very simple and effective communication device to enable personnel to know at once what precautions or actions are required to deal with emergencies like spills, leaks or fire.

The Hazardous Goods Emergency Action Code (EAC) List is reviewed every two years and is an essential compliance document for all emergency services, local government and for those who may control the planning for, and prevention of, emergencies involving dangerous goods.

The Code:

For Fire-Fighting Response:

1. Jets / Coarse Spray

2. Fog / Fine Spray

3. Foam

4. Dry Agent

Example: A Substance With Hazchem Code 3YE  for PETROL.

The number tells the fire brigade what medium to use to extinguish a fire - in this case 3 indicates that emergency responders should apply foam to extinguish a fire. 

Y indicates appropriate spill response, which in this case is in the 'contain' section of the table. 

This substance must be prevented, by whatever means possible, from entering drains or watercourses. 

When the spill response code relates to the 'Dilute' section of the table, this means that the substance can be flushed away with water.

UN Classification of Hazardous Materials

Classification of Hazardous Materials Given Below:

Class 1 – Explosives

Class 2 – Gases

Class 3 – Flammable Liquids

Class 4 – Flammable Solids

Class 5 – Oxidizing Substances

Class 6 – Toxic Substances 

Class 7 – Radioactive Substances 

Class 8 – Corrosive Substances

Class 9 – Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials

UN Class	Dangerous Goods	Division(s)	Classification
1	Explosives	1.1 - 1.6	Explosive
2	Gases	2.1	Flammable gas
		2.2	Non-flammable, non-toxic gas
		2.3	Toxic gas
3	Flammable liquid		Flammable liquid
4	Flammable solids	4.1	Flammable solid
		4.2	Spontaneously combustible substance
		4.3	Substance which in contact with water emits flammable gas
5	Oxidizing substances	5.1	Oxidizing substance
		5.2	Organic peroxide
6	Toxic substances	6.1	Toxic substance
		6.2	Infectious substance
7	Radioactive material		Radioactive material
8	Corrosive substances		Corrosive substance
9	Miscellaneous dangerous goods		Miscellaneous dangerous goods

The multitude of Hazardous Materials regimes across the world and the complexity of dangerous goods classifications and regulations render compliance a particularly difficult task.

CLASS 1: EXPLOSIVES

Explosives are materials or items which have the ability to rapidly conflagration or detonate as a consequence of chemical reaction.

Subdivisions:

Division 1.1: 

Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard

Division 1.2: 

Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard

Division 1.3: 

Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both

Division 1.4: 

Substances and articles which present no significant hazard; only a small hazard in the event of ignition or initiation during transport with any effects largely confined to the package

Division 1.5: 

Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard

Division 1.6: 

Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard

Commonly Transported Explosives

Fireworks

Flares

Fuse

Primers

Igniters

Rockets

CLASS 2 : GASES

Gases are defined by dangerous goods regulations as substances which have a vapor pressure of 300 kPa or greater at 50°c or which are completely gaseous at 20°c at standard atmospheric pressure, and items containing these substances. 

The class encompasses compressed gases, liquefied gases, dissolved gases, refrigerated liquefied gases, mixtures of one or more gases with one or more vapours of substances of other classes, articles charged with a gas and aerosols.

Subdivisions

Division 2.1: Flammable gases

Division 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases

Division 2.3: Toxic gases

Commonly Transported Gases

Acetylene

Carbon Dioxide

Helium

Hydrogen Gas

Oxygen Gas

Nitrogen Gas

Natural Gas

Oil Gas

Petroleum Gases

CLASS 3 : FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS

Flammable liquids are defined by dangerous goods regulations as liquids, mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension which give off a flammable vapour (have a flash point) at temperatures of not more than 60-65°C, liquids offered for transport at temperatures at or above their flash point or substances transported at elevated temperatures in a liquid state and which give off a flammable vapour at a temperature at or below the maximum transport temperature.

Subdivisions

There are no subdivisions within Class 3, Flammable Liquids.

Commonly Transported Flammable Liquids

Adhesives

Paints

Alcohols

Petrol

Diesel

Kerosene

CLASS 4 : FLAMMABLE SOLIDS

Flammable solids are materials which, under conditions encountered in transport, are readily combustible or may cause or contribute to fire through friction, self-reactive substances which are liable to undergo a strongly exothermic reaction or solid desensitized explosives. 

Also included are substances which are liable to spontaneous heating under normal transport conditions, or to heating up in contact with air, and are consequently liable to catch fire and substances which emit flammable gases or become spontaneously flammable when in contact with water.

Subdivisions

Division 4.1: Flammable Solids

Division 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion

Division 4.3: Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

Commonly Transported Flammable Solids

Carbon

Phosphorus

Sulphur

CLASS 5 : OXIDIZING SUBSTANCES; ORGANIC PEROXIDES

Oxidizers are defined by dangerous goods regulations as substances which may cause or contribute to combustion, generally by yielding oxygen as a result of a redox chemical reaction. 

Organic peroxides are substances which may be considered derivatives of hydrogen peroxide where one or both hydrogen atoms of the chemical structure have been replaced by organic radicals.

Subdivisions

Division 5.1: Oxidizing substances

Division 5.1: Organic peroxides

Commonly Transported Oxidizers; Organic Peroxides

Calcium Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide

Magnesium Peroxide 

CLASS 6 : TOXIC SUBSTANCES; INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

Toxic substances are those which are liable either to cause death or serious injury or to harm human health if swallowed, inhaled or by skin contact. Infectious substances are those which are known or can be reasonably expected to contain pathogens. 

Dangerous goods regulations define pathogens as microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, parasites and fungi, or other agents which can cause disease in humans or animals.

Subdivisions

Division 6.1: Toxic substances

Division 6.2: Infectious substances

Commonly Transported Toxic Substances; Infectious Substances

Biomedical Waste

Bacteria & Viruses

Clinical Waste

Biological Cultures

Medical Cultures

Dyes

Acids

Chloroform 

CLASS 7 : RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

Dangerous goods regulations define radioactive material as any material containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and the total activity exceeds certain pre-defined values. 

A radionuclide is an atom with an unstable nucleus and which consequently is subject to radioactive decay.

Subdivisions

There are no subdivisions within Class 7, Radioactive Material.

Commonly Transported Radioactive Material

Radium

Thorium

Uranium

CLASS 8 : CORROSIVES SUBSTANCES

Corrosives are substances which by chemical action degrade or disintegrate other materials upon contact.

Corrosives cause severe damage when in contact with living tissue or, in the case of leakage, damage or destroy surrounding materials.

Subdivisions

There are no subdivisions within Class 8, Corrosives.

Commonly Transported Corrosives

Acids

Batteries

Dyes

Formaldehyde

Paints

Sulphides

Polysulphides

Nitric Acid

Iodine

CLASS 9 : MISCELLANEOUS HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Miscellaneous dangerous goods are substances and articles which during transport present a danger or hazard not covered by other classes. 

This class encompasses, but is not limited to, environmentally hazardous substances, substances that are transported at elevated temperatures, miscellaneous articles and substances, genetically modified organisms and microorganisms and magnetized materials and aviation regulated substances.

Commonly Transported Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

Vehicles

Chemical Kits

First Aid Kits

Benzaldehyde