To prevent workplace accidents and diseases, India’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals has decided to provide international chemical safety cards (ICSCs) to workers. The workers will also receive training in using the cards and companies will be stimulated to implement the ICSCs through risk assessments and safety exercises.
 
The ICSCs contain concise hazard and health information for people working with chemicals. So far almost 1,800 ICSCs have been developed by the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organisation, with support from the European Commission.
 
The information in the ICSCs is in line with the UN GHS. By using the ICSCs India prepares for its intended adoption of the UN GHS. ICTA has always been a vocal supporter of wider GHS adoption. See here for more information.
 

Further support to comprehensive safety guidance issued by a collective of organisations late last year has been received through its endorsement by the International Chemical Transport Association (ICTA).

Drawing on the combined expertise and experience in the movement of dangerous goods around the world, several global trade organisations -- International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA), International Vessel Owners Dangerous Goods Association (IVODGA), National Cargo Bureau (NCB) and World Shipping Council (WSC) – jointly issued a White Paper entitled, ‘Safety Guidance for Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling Facilities’¹ in December last year.
 
A number of influential industry stakeholders² have subsequently endorsed the Guidelines and now the International Chemical Transport Association (ICTA) can be added to the list. Richard Steele, CEO of ICHCA welcomed the additional support,
”To make a real difference to the standards of safety in supply chains that feature hazardous materials, it is vital to reach all involved and create a critical mass of like-minded partners. The endorsement of our work by such an authoritative voice as ICTA is therefore decidedly welcome.”
 
A pivotal element of the White Paper is a Warehouse Checklist. A practical management tool, the Checklist format is a significant addition to the other elements of the White Paper. Broken down into eight key functional areas of operation, its fourteen-pages are designed to be comprehensive yet easily digestible as an everyday device for maintaining safety management vigilance.  
 
For its part ICTA sees the White Paper and the safety efforts it represents as a step forward in guiding operators to improve their already high standards, “Chemical supply chains rely on an interplay of different actors to deliver dangerous goods safely across the globe,” commented Douglas Leech, Chair of the ICTA Transport & Security Committee. “Chemical distributors cooperate closely with logistical and warehousing companies to make this happen. These guidelines will help them to jointly prevent incidents in their warehouses – keeping workers, neighbors, and the environment safe.”

¹ Both the Dangerous Goods Warehousing White Paper and Checklist are downloadable from here https://ichca.com/warehousing-safety-guidance
² Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Bureau International des Containers (BIC), Container Owners Association (COA), Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA), Danish Shipping, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA), International Group of P&I Clubs (IGP&I) and Through Transport Mutual Insurance Association Ltd (TT Club).

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Wuppertal University of Germany have taken the initiative to develop guidelines for the road transportation of hazardous chemicals. Globally harmonized guidelines can help improve the safety of chemical supply chain. Because transport of hazardous chemicals is at the very core of the activities of chemical distributors, ICTA has been asked to contribute to the development of the guidelines. Doug Leech (CBA) participates in the project in his capacity of chairman of the ICTA Transport & Security. See here for more info.