Cefic-Guidelines: If the worst happens, are you ready?

More and more companies in the chemical industry are choosing professional preventive measures in emergency situations.
McDiarmid of the National Chemical Emergency Response Center (NCEC) explains how compliance with CFic's emergency response guidelines can mitigate the impact of an accident.
what does a chemical company need to provide in the event of an accident?
McDiarmid: "Most of the
legislatures require organizations to provide emergency phone numbers
to safety data sheets (SDSs) before

.
, regulations are established at the national level and the conditions for their implementation vary from country to country.
this affects the actual aspects of the emergency phone number requirement - for example, the language spoken (if it is a local or international number, or 24/7 is available).
to avoid the commercial or legal implications of non-compliance, personnel transporting or providing dangerous goods must ensure that the emergency telephone number provided meets the requirements of the country in which they operate.
for emergency telephone numbers are sometimes defined in a country's dangerous goods regulations.
, however, this requirement is due in part to the implementation of the Global Harmonized Classification and Labelling System (GHS) and national SDS regulations.
in addition to national requirements, emergency telephone numbers are required for airlifting hazardous chemicals.
While many companies see emergency response services only as a way to achieve compliance, more visionary organizations are forced to invest in emergency response services for the following reasons:
protects people, the environment, assets, and reputation (PEAR) from incidents.
reduce the size and cost of events.
demonstrates its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and responsible
.
NCEC receives more than 8,000 calls a year on its emergency helpline.
, about 10 per cent were classified as medium-sized events and up to 1 per cent as serious, high-consequence events.
in two years, it is almost certain that a company will have at least one medium-sized accident during the life cycle of its product (on-site, in transit or in use), resulting in significant costs.


study
reviewed and confirmed by
independent third parties and the UK Government Department for Transport
and confirmed by
shows that an effective response to a chemical accident can lead to a potential return on investment of 15 to 1.
as the chemicals market grows and supply chains become more complex, the risk of major chemical accidents becomes statistically greater.
results, more and more companies are choosing to invest in strong professional emergency response to ensure the long-term viability of their businesses and protect their stakeholders and the wider community.
should I set up a new CFic guide, and what is the point?
: the
European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) guidelines were introduced in July 2018 to establish best practice guidelines for Level 1 (remote information and general recommendations) emergency response providers.
this is the first time the chemical industry has made it clear what an effective emergency response system should look like.
also introduced guidelines in full accordance with the Responsible Care guidelines: "Working with customers, carriers, suppliers, distributors and contractors to promote the safe use, transportation and disposal of chemicals and to provide access and application in their operations and products."
For all chemical accidents, the primary requirement of emergency services or other callers is to obtain prompt and accurate advice on the actual and potential hazards posed by the chemicals or chemicals involved in their loading or accidental release.
In serious accidents and in accidents involving more hazardous chemicals with a specific risk, detailed product-specific recommendations (e.g., recommendations for hazards caused by products that are released into the environment during fire) are often required.
this information should be provided and can reasonably be expected by responsible companies.
The CEfic Guidelines apply to the National Chemical Transport Emergency Center (ICE) and other Level 1 emergency response service providers.
level 1 can be provided by chemical manufacturers, ICE National Center (Europe), other organizations (e.g. NCEC), or through the joint efforts of multiple organizations.
companies do to prepare for events?
McDiarmid:
 The Cefic guide is designed to illustrate best practices.
responsible companies should therefore use the Guidelines to assess the effectiveness of their existing emergency response arrangements.
will enable them to identify any potential weaknesses and areas of risk associated with their current emergency response system, take corrective action, and ensure readiness.
the CEfic guidelines form the basis of the "ideal" Level 1 emergency response requirement.
are an important measure for companies involved in chemical production, management and distribution to ensure that their systems have the right capabilities to support rapid and effective emergency response interventions.
following is a summary of the main features of the CFic guide - you can use the link at the end of this article to find a more detailed overview:
emergency calls are always available.
to provide advice in the local language.
be connected to the recommendation within 3-5 minutes.
access to a network of experts.
understand chemicals and chemical behavior.
recommendations for the event situation.
tactical awareness.
a sense of regulation.
, companies should have analyzed and understood the potential risks inherent in handling chemicals.
CEfic guidelines will provide a perfect benchmark against which companies can assess their ability to effectively manage chemical accidents, prevent them from upgrading and ultimately protect their long-term future and hard-won reputation.