Applicable Regulations to “Safe Loads and Safe Roads” Program

Under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act, each local Conservation Authority oversees a Provincial Regulation that regulates development, interference with wetlands and alterations to shorelines and watercourses (i.e. creeks and streams). 

Development includes among other things, construction, excavation, filling, and grading or site alteration. Areas regulated under Section 28 include public and private properties that contain valleys, ravines, creek systems, floodplains and shorelines, all watercourses and wetlands.

What is the “Safe Loads and Safe Roads” Program?

The “Safe Loads and Safe Roads” program is a multi-agency initiative spearheaded by Conservation Halton that promotes environmental compliance and road safety within the excavating, contracting, and independent hauling communities. Involved agencies such as conservation authorities, the provincial government and the police, are utilizing their collaborative legislative authorities to promote and enforce “Safe Loads and Safe Roads”. The program reminds truck drivers as well as landowners that they have a responsibility towards the natural environment.

Truck drivers are responsible not only for the quality of the loads that they carry but also for the location in which they dump them.  If fill materials are found to contain contaminates or are dumped in an environmentally sensitive area, drivers can face charges and fines ranging from $5,000 to as high as $6,000,000.

Landowners who receive fill materials must also do their part by ensuring that they abide by all municipal, provincial and federal laws as they apply to both public and private property.  Landowners who neglect to follow the applicable laws or fail to obtain necessary permits and approvals prior to the hauling, dumping or disposal of the material might also face serious charges and fines.  

Safe Loads

The “Safe Loads” component of the program is concerned with protecting sources of drinking water, creeks, streams, wetlands and the environment through the enforcement of various environmental laws. 

Safe Roads

The “Safe Roads” component of the program is concerned with transportation safety laws and seeks to ensure through education and enforcement that all companies and haulers are properly qualified and licensed and that their vehicles are both mechanically fit and carrying loads that are within allowable load limits.   

Who is Involved? 

Conservation Halton’s “Safe Loads and Safe Roads” Partners:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

Ministry of Transportation (MTO)

Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)

Ministry of Environment (MOE)

Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC)

Conservation Ontario (CA’s)

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS)  

For information regarding the specific role that each partner agency holds to “Safe Loads and Safe Roads” visit their official website.

Click here to view the "Safe Loads and Safe Roads" Brochure

Operation Beehive

 On July 11^th and 12^th, 2008, Conservation Halton and the participating agencies spearheaded a two-day campaign that launched the “Safe Loads and Safe Roads” program into action.  The campaign was given the name “Operation Beehive”, and involved inspecting dump trucks on roads within the Halton and Hamilton areas in order to remind drivers of their responsibilities. Within the two days more than 100 trucks were inspected and 36 charges were laid.

 Click here for more information on “Operation Beehive”