WesCEF - Product quality and safety

WesCEF uses specialised chemical transport contractors with appropriate licences and experience to distribute its hazardous chemicals to customers within Western Australia and overseas. In particular, the transport of sodium cyanide requires additional certification, with carriers engaged by WesCEF needing to meet International Cyanide Management Code requirements.

Custom-built containers, tankers, isotainers and cylinders are designed to minimise the risk of loss of product during the transportation phase. For example, solid sodium cyanide is triple packaged inside a sea container for transport, with the first containment layer being a strong, woven ‘bulka’ bag, placed inside a heat-sealed plastic bag, which is then transferred into a wooden box to prevent any damage to the bags. Another risk reduction measure is to minimise the number of truck movements. For example, where appropriate, ammonium nitrate prill and emulsion products are transported in triple rather than double road trailers to reduce vehicle movements on the road.

Technology continues to drive improvements for WesCEF in the transportation of its products. Prime mover trucks used for long haul gas delivery have been fitted with advanced sensor monitoring technology to assist in detection of driver fatigue, distraction and other behaviours that could increase the risk of collision. Electronic braking systems are being fitted on all Kleenheat LPG and LNG fleet vehicles, which automatically apply brakes when the system detects a potential rollover scenario to reduce the likelihood of an incident occurring.

WesCEF continues to focus on mitigating risks with ongoing driver training and competency assessments for team member and contract drivers, and undertaking contractor audits focusing on fatigue management and road and vehicle compliance procedures.