Emergency response articles
Bangladesh: Chittagong Port is storing dangerous goods (DG) that are up to 28 years old, according to port sources, as the spotlight turns onto the auction or destruction of the remaining DG, following the devastating fire at the BM Container depot that has so far claimed 44 lives. https://theloadstar.com/concerns-mount-as-more-old-dangerous-goods-found-at-chittagong-port/ Global/IATA: Greater process consistency, increased automation and more reliable data to facilitate the safe and secure transport of dangerous goods, are the conclusion of the seventh annual 2022 Global Dangerous Goods Confidence Outlook recently released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Labelmaster. https://www.mhlnews.com/transportation-distribution/article/21251995/dangerous-goods-transport Global/IMDG: TT Club continues to raise the alarm about the unresolved hazards of cargo fires, a perennial problem in container shipping. The club estimates that a serious box fire happens every 60 days, as illustrated by the recent blazes aboard the TSS Pearl and the Zim Charleston. https://maritime-executive.com/article/tt-club-dangerous-goods-shippers-still-need-to-work-on-fire-safety EU/ADR: The deadline for parties who are currently only acting as consignors of dangerous goods – because they send dangerous goods to others or because they are consignors under the terms of a contract - must, from 1 January 2023, have appointed a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA). https://kennedyslaw.com/thought-leadership/article/consignors-beware-transportation-of-dangerous-goods-by-road/ LONDON/ISLAMABAD: Reports that a package containing uranium originating from Pakistan arrived at Heathrow Airport last month sparked panic in the United Kingdom. https://www.dawn.com/news/1731192
Regulatory Update
Australia
Australia Consults on Rules for Chemical Introductions at Low Volumes On September 26, 2022, the Australian Government released a public invitation for comments on the Industrial Chemicals (General) Amendment (Introductions of 10 kg or Less) Rules 2022... Australia Adds 10 Chemicals to Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals On October 18, 2022, the Australian Government issued a notice to announce the addition of 10 chemicals to the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AIIC)...
China
China Announces National Standardization Plan for Carbon Peaking and Neutralization in Energy Sector An energy standard system can effectively support and lead green and low-carbon energy transformation... China, Provinces, and Cities Draft Local Work Plans for New Pollutants Treatment 7 provincial administrative regions of China have released their own draft work plans for new pollutants treatment. For other administrative regions, the corresponding documents may be made public soon, or later... China Unveils Revised Regulation on Railway Transportation Safety of Dangerous Goods Stricter rules will be carried out to strengthen safety management for railway transportation of dangerous goods... China Implements New Standards for VOCs Emissions in Key Industries The standards set limits for VOCs emissions in printing, glass and mineral wool industry.
India
India Seeks Comments on Revising Varnish Stoving Standard The proposed standard has specified maximum limit for lead and added a precautionary note in the marking clause... India Orders Tracking System Device Installed for Dangerous Goods Transport India mandates the installation of a vehicle tracking system device by January 1, 2023...
Indonesia
Indonesia Revises Regulation on Distribution and Control of Hazardous Substances Chemical handlers in Indonesia must apply for relevant business license or permit to distribute hazardous substances.
Japan
Japan Updates SDS and Labelling Guidance under PRTR Law The guidance enables industries to have ready access to information and references that have been collected for preparing SDSs and labels...
Philippines
The Philippines Consults on Chemical Control Orders for Benzene and Vinyl Chloride
The draft CCOs proposed more strict control over the import, distribution, manufacture of benzene and vinyl chloride...
Singapore
Singapore Publishes Reponses to Comments on Addition of 26 Chemicals as Hazardous Substances
Singapore NEA advises relevant companies handling any of these 26 chemicals to set about changing or applying for HS license/permit from January 2023...
Singapore Consults on Changes to GHS Classification, Labelling and SDS Rules
Revised SS 586 Part 2 and 3 are expected to be published by Jan 2023.
South Korea
South Korea to Disclose Chemical Information of 347 New Substances with Expired CBI Protection
On October 6, South Korea issued NIER Announcement No.2022-417, seeking public comments on whether to disclose names and CAS numbers of 347 new chemical substances registered under K-REACH...
South Korea Designates 12 Substances as Toxic Chemicals and Updates GHS Classification List
Enterprises handling these substances and mixtures shall submit the "Written Confirmation of Verification on Chemical Products" and update the labels to reflect their toxicity before July 1, 2023...
South Korea Publishes New Chemical Substances Newly Registered and Assessed
The MoEL and the NIER periodically publish the list of registered new chemical substances under OSHA and K-REACH respectively...
South Korea Consults on Eleven Candidate Substances for Authorization
Eleven candidate substances for K-REACH authorization are proposed, including benzene, bisphenol A, DBP, BBP, etc.
South Korea to Update Quantity Limits for Toxic Substances that Require Submitting Chemical Accident Prevention Management Plan
11 toxic substances will be provided with upper and lower handling quantities for submitting a chemical accident prevention management plan.
Taiwan
Taiwan to Update Categories and Management of Handling for Organotin Compounds
Taiwan EPA to strengthen source control and use safety of organotin compounds...
Taiwan to Prohibit Import of Products Containing Asbestos
On October 4, 2022, Taiwan EPA issued a notice to prohibit the import of products containing asbestos from May 1, 2023. Violations will be fined between NT$ 60,000 and NT$ 300,000...
Thailand
Thailand Unveils Revised List of Hazardous Substances under Hazardous Substances Act
Thailand DIW added 8 PFOA, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds to the List of Hazardous Substances.
OURAY Corner
A new year and a new initiative OURAY is excited to announce a new ER initiative for the APAC region. The OURAY Standards and Aligned Verification of Emergency Services (SAVES) program will be an opportunity for chemical manufacturers to establish a baseline for emergency response by their logistics providers. We will work with the chemical companies to determine what a “good” baseline for a logistical emergency response might look like for any given commodity type. We specifically use the word good in the context of the phrase, “don’t let the great become the enemy of the good”. We believe that if the initial bar is set too high, it will cover too much and be hard to achieve. What might this standard baseline include?
Liquids Transloads:
· Pump
· Push
· Gravity
Dangerous Goods Classes:
· Flammable
· Corrosive
· Reactive
· Most toxics
Equipment:
· Hoses
· Pump (dual diaphragm)
· Valves with blowdowns
· Fittings
· Pressure gauges
· Nitrogen kit
o Hoses
o Regulators
· Bonding and grounding
· InfraRed Temperature guns
· Non-sparking tools
· Overpacks
· Flaring
· Scrubber reactor/vapor treatment
Training:
· HazCom
· Incident Command
· Chemistry
· Toxicology
· PPE
· Bonding/Grounding
· Transfers
o Pump
o Push
o Gravity
· Blocking/Bracing
· Iso-Tank/Valve changeouts
· Scrubber operations
· Flare operations
Exercises:
· Tabletops
· Equipment deployment Field Exercise
· Full-Scale Field Exercise
o includes nearby companies
o includes regulators
Policies and Procedures:
· H&S Program
· Respiratory Protection
· Medical Monitoring
· Drug policy
· Incident reporting
Other possible tracking items:
· Insurance coverages
· Local government regulation requirements
· Vehicle standards
· Maintenance standards
· Transportation Safety Plans
· Transportation security plans
· Badging requirements
· Local safety council qualifications
What may be beyond the standard baseline?
· Gas Transfers/TIH
· Tapping tankers
· EO
· Chloro-silanes
· Highly toxic chemicals
· Monomer inhibitor / quick-stop reactions
· Explosives
· Radioactive materials
We are excited about what is possible through this initiative. Our hope is that it will extend the basis for Responsible Care to cover the logistics providers that all the companies depend on. That will make logistics safer and more prepared for emergencies involving a majority of the chemicals in commerce today. It will also prepare a solid baseline so that select companies will be able to work with more hazardous materials with additional training, equipment, and guidance by OURAY.
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