The Hindu Business Line : `More awareness needed for preventing chemical accidents'

THERE is a strong need to increase the awareness of safety standards at shop floor levels in the chemical industry, according to Mr Ravi Kant, Member Secretary, West Bengal Pollution Control Board.

Addressing a one-day seminar on the prevention and management of chemical accidents, organised by the Indian Chemical Manufacturers Association here, he said the 21st century would create new set of standards for SHE— safety (S), healthy (H) and environment (E).

He congratulated the association for organising the meet and asked them to arrange similar meetings in the industrials districts of West Bengal. "This is necessary as we must increase the level of awareness among the workers of the chemical industries,'' he said.

Mr R.K. Gangopadhyay, Chief Inspector of Factories, said there was a strong need for concrete and full-proof emergency plans in chemical plants, both off-site and on-site.

"Though there are not too many chemical accidents in the State, still individual organisations must activate their crisis management groups on a regular basis. The workers must also educate themselves about their occupational hazards'', Mr Gangopadhyay said.

Mr Probir Roy, Managing Director of Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, spoke at length on the confrontation between chemical units and non-governmental organisations (NGO).

"The chemical industry's brush with the NGO community has never been comfortable anywhere in the world. But, everywhere there is an increasing realisation that they cannot be wished away. So constructive dialogues with all stakeholders, including the lay public, has started,'' he said.

In this context he mentioned about the protests against the DuPont's nylon plant. The company was forced to shift the unit from Goa to Tamil Nadu. In the process it downsized the whole project.

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