Localities and businesses need to develop chemical incident response plans in all situations.

Chemical incident response – an urgent task

Chemical incident response drills are activities that simulate chemical incidents that may occur at businesses such as: chemical leaks, spills, chemical fires and explosions, chemical releases that are harmful or potentially harmful to people, property and the environment...

Statistics show that the amount of chemicals used in Vietnam is concentrated in factories in cities such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City and provinces with many industrial parks. In addition to products that can be easily seen in some fields of agriculture, pharmaceuticals, plant protection, chemicals, and consumption, chemicals also participate in the production and manufacturing processes of many economic sectors.

Due to the characteristics of many toxic and dangerous chemicals such as strong oxidation, strong corrosion, flammability, acute toxicity, and environmental toxicity, leaks, fires, and explosions are very dangerous.

Responding to a chemical incident at Thai Binh Mining Chemical Company (Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh). Photo: LA

According to the provisions of the Law on Chemicals, entities storing and using chemicals must develop a specific prevention plan for the enterprise. Accordingly, every year, enterprises base on that plan to organize drills, build hypothetical situations according to the plan, and conduct drills so that employees can practice developments that may occur during the production process.

Speaking to reporters of the Industry and Trade Newspaper, Mr. Vuong Thanh Chung - Director of the Center for Incident Response and Chemical Safety, Department of Chemicals (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that according to Article 37 of the Law on Chemicals, chemical facilities must annually build an on-site response force and must regularly train and practice chemical incident response plans. Raising awareness and responsibility while checking the ability to coordinate actions between agencies, functional units with companies, factories and enterprises in responding to chemical incidents occurring in the locality where they live.

In addition, the entity storing and using chemicals must develop a specific prevention plan for the enterprise. Accordingly, every year, the enterprise will base on that plan to organize drills, build hypothetical situations according to the plan, and conduct drills so that workers can practice the developments that may occur during the production process.

“ However, in recent times, there has been a situation where businesses have been subjective, negligent, and passive, only paying real attention after an incident has occurred. Although some establishments have paid attention, their implementation has been inadequate. Common violations include not developing measures and plans to prevent and respond to incidents; not organizing chemical safety training; not developing chemical safety regulations for production facilities; and not arranging chemicals in warehouses that are safe in accordance with current regulations, ” Mr. Vuong Thanh Chung pointed out.

Increase solutions, build good response scenarios

In recent times, localities have had a number of active activities in preventing and responding to chemical incidents. Most provinces have developed provincial-level chemical incident prevention and response plans that have been appraised and approved by the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities.

Many localities across the country have directed functional units to coordinate with businesses to organize drills on the provincial-level Chemical Incident Prevention and Response Plan, or organize drills combined with oil spill response. Some provinces have conducted drills such as: Hanoi, Phu Tho, Lao Cai, Da Nang, Tra Vinh, Quang Ngai, Tay Ninh, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Bac Giang, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Binh Duong, Thai Binh...

Mr. Vuong Thanh Chung added that for large chemical facilities located in localities, if a chemical incident occurs, it is very dangerous. Accordingly, localities need to conduct regular drills. Regarding this issue, the Department of Chemicals encourages localities to coordinate in implementing drills to respond to chemical incidents. Especially for large industrial provinces, including the chemical industry.

“ For Bac Ninh province, it must be said that this is a locality with high awareness of chemical response. Therefore, the provincial leaders and the Department of Industry and Trade have recently proactively coordinated with the Department of Chemicals to conduct a good chemical incident response drill towards environmental safety, ” Mr. Vuong Thanh Chung emphasized.

Also emphasizing the importance of chemical incident response drills for chemical enterprises in localities, Mr. Phung Manh Ngoc - Director of the Department of Chemicals - said: Firstly , organizing drills will help enterprises have thorough preparation, practice proficiently in incident response, and have the agility and flexibility to respond when chemical incidents occur.

Second, through drills, businesses can recognize shortcomings in order to promptly supplement and learn from experience in incident response and coordination between forces participating in response.

Third, organizing chemical incident response drills, especially for businesses, to raise awareness in strengthening chemical incident prevention.

The leaders of the Department of Chemicals also noted that businesses need to be proactive in prevention instead of waiting for an incident to occur before responding, which is too late. Businesses need to closely follow the latest risk assessment, pay attention to incidents that have occurred, proactively develop prevention plans, respond quickly, and closely to the actual situation...

Businesses should also develop a plan for prevention and emergency response in the event of a chemical incident. This includes regular testing, identifying potential vulnerabilities and ensuring corrective actions are in place.

In addition, synchronously deploy solutions, increase dissemination and guidance for businesses to comply with current chemical management regulations; inspect and monitor compliance with chemical safety regulations; and check the readiness of forces to respond to chemical incidents.

On the local side, the Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and cities also presides over and coordinates with relevant departments, branches and sectors to conduct inspections and comprehensive reviews of implementation contents; research and draw experience in adjusting, supplementing and perfecting plans to prevent and respond to chemical incidents for chemical enterprises operating in the area.

To improve response and handling, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is currently drafting a new Chemical Law, which replaces or amends a number of articles based on research and management practices over the past period. Accordingly, the new law will supplement urgent regulations to promptly complete the legal framework.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/dia-phuong-doanh-nghiep-can-xay-dung-ke-hoach-ung-pho-su-co-hoa-chat-trong-moi-tinh-huong-363784.html