Safety-Award Scheme For Chemical Firms
Singapore, 29 March 2001 -- One cannot be too careful when it comes to handling chemicals.
An award scheme is being started to get all who deal with these products - the factories, the workers and the transporters - to be on their toes in ensuring safety for themselves and to the public.
Headed by the Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC), which has 200 member-companies, and backed by chemical giant Dupont, these awards are yet another step to promote greater safety awareness and responsibility.
They are part of the SCIC's Responsible Care Programme, adopted in 1990.
To qualify for the 12 awards, which come in the form of trophies, companies have to be pledged to the programme.
There are already 67 signatory companies, but others which have not signed on still have time to do this, said SCIC president Ooi Chwee Kim.
Nominations close on Aug 30, and the awards will be given out during Clean and Green week in November.
Judging criteria include pollution prevention, distribution and handling of chemicals and the health and safety of employees.
The launch was officiated by Senior Minister of State for the Environment Sidek Saniff, who praised the SCIC for its considerable efforts in raising safety standards so far.
But he noted: 'The SCIC could consider introducing a certification scheme to give recognition to chemical companies that have implemented the Responsible Care Programme successfully.'
Asked for his reactions to Mr Sidek's suggestion, Mr Ooi replied: 'What has been suggested is very sound and we will certainly look into it.'
Safety is vital.
According to the American Chemical Council, the world's 100 largest financial losses due to violation of safety codes totalled US$7.5 billion (S$13.35 billion).
Source: The Straitstimes Interactive, Singapore
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