Hidden and misdeclared dangerous goods remain the biggest industry challenge – and the growth in the courier industry, where the general public can ship anything without knowing what is dangerous or not, is not helping.Several industry experts told Freight News that often shippers wanting to save costs by not declaring their dangerous goods shipments were to blame – and this put everyone at risk.“Companies and people dealing with dangerous goods by air know what is at stake and are, in the main, responsible corporate citizens who take safety seriously,” explained one expert. “In the dangerous goods sector, those companies that do place others at risk are almost always discovered and are dealt with severely when this happens.”But the courier industry has its own unique set of problems. The courier companies do their best to educate their customers through the provision of information, but this remains a very active risk say those in the know.The critical need for dangerous goods training is well understood, especially in the fast-growing courier industry.Training and the creation of appropriate systems and procedures is very important. Most risks can be mitigated by a combination of the correct training and the implementation of appropriate policies, processes and procedures. Solid procedures not only make operations safer, they enhance safety and streamline the handling of cargo, saving time in the process.The introduction of competency-based training and assessment in 2022, where people will be trained only on what they need to know to do their job and not on a generally applicable curriculum, will also make a difference. The focus of the training will be on the safety-critical aspects of their daily tasks and will include practical, on-the-job training and assessment of how they perform their job. This will also be a substantial improvement and will enhance sa fet y.According to the South African Express Parcel Association (Saepa), the express parcel industry has more than doubled over the last decade and is considered the fastest-growing transport sector in the country.The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic only served to accelerate this growth. In the United States alone e-commerce saw growth of nearly 50% last year. Official figures indicate South African e-commerce grew by around 24% in 2020, but most supply chain experts disagree, saying they believe the number is much higher – especially when looking at the huge growth in courier demand.Martin Bailey, chairman of Industrial Logistic Systems (ILS), told Freight News e-commerce had been a key driver of change in the supply chain, leading to an increased demand for warehousing and delivery services. “I don’t think there is any reason to assume that South African e-commerce growth was that much lower than what was seen in the States and other areas.”According to Saepa CEO Garry Marshall, the change in consumer behaviour has been apparent and this is not likely to change going forward.
