Despite safety concerns from local residents over dust blowing from the longest Transnet train, the rail transport company says air quality is monitored regularly to ensure it does not exceed the mandatory pollutant thresholds.
Weslander reported on these being exceeded last week after residents of Witteklip, Ongegund and Louwville pleaded for help in solving the problem (“Stof van treine kwel inwoners”, 29 February 2024) following their concerns over the long-term consequences of the raw materials blowing off the train.
In response to the article Transnet Freight Rail stated: “The air quality is regularly monitored to ensure it does not exceed the mandatory pollutant thresholds.
Dust-fallout emission levels that were collected from all seven sites in the Saldanha Bay municipal area have been far below the stipulated minimum monthly average dust fallout concentrations of 600 mg/m²/day.
“Compliance includes applying standard operating procedures as well as adequate controls to minimise exposure and impact. Audits are conducted regularly to adhere to the legal requirements.”
Regarding lack of dust buckets and safety-related signage along the route, the company said one of the major challenges in the cautionary approaches is vandalism.
“A huge challenge, though, is that a number of things have to be replaced regularly owing to vandalism, particularly signs.”
Responding to complaints that carriages were not properly covered, and manganese naturally blew off the trains, TFR stated: “The manganese ore is transported by rail from the Northern Cape mines to the facilities in Saldanha, where it is stored before being loaded onto ships for export. The ore is sprayed during loading to bind the dust. The wagons have closed bottoms, so dust does not fall on the rail tracks.”
On the question of whether Transnet conducts outreach or educational programmes alerting residents to the possible dangers of the loads and the railway itself, it said: “Transnet Freight Rail is unrelenting in its efforts to educate and sensitise communities about the risks of living close to railway lines and rail reserves.
“The organisation regularly conducts campaigns at schools, in communities and at level crossings, educating communities about this critical matter as well as general safety practices.”
