Back

Tarping Aggregate in Transport on Highways

Res #: 15-22M
Number: 15
Year: 2022
Midterm: Yes
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

WHEREAS transporting aggregate is common throughout Saskatchewan and plays a necessary role in our municipal road infrastructure.

WHEREAS much of the product movement occurs on our provincial highways at highway speeds.

WHEREAS at these speeds, the product is often blowing off the un-tarped trucks and trailers, sandblasting and damaging oncoming vehicles as they meet, also creating safety concerns and significant costs to SGI.

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to make it mandatory to tarp all loads of aggregate transported on our provincial highways when loaded.

Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

January 24, 2023

As part of our annual regulatory review process, the ministry is currently reviewing The Security of Loads Regulations, 2013 and will consider the request to strengthen the provisions for bulk loads, including aggregate loads, to be secured utilizing a covering material. The ministry’s mission is to ensure that the transportation system is safe, reliable, and free of debris. 

The Highways and Transportation Act, 1997, has existing provisions that require any load, regardless of the nature of the cargo, to be secured in such a manner that no load or any part of a load can drop onto the surface of a public highway. The provisions also prohibit the discharge, emission or escape of a dangerous good within the meaning of The Dangerous Goods Transportation Act from a vehicle travelling on a public highway. 

The Security of Loads Regulations, 2013, adopts the  National Safety Code Standard 10 –  Cargo Securement , which has provisions that require any load, regardless of the nature of the cargo, to be secured in such a manner so it cannot leak, spill, blow off, fall from, fall through or otherwise be dislodged from a vehicle. 

The Honourable Jeremy Cockrill – Minister of Highways, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure