Chemical industry and regulators pioneer new approach on chlorine safety
Chemical industry leader Steve Elliott has signed up to the Chlorine Covenant - a ground breaking voluntary agreement between industry and regulators to deliver the best possible performance on safety.
Companies that manufacture or use chlorine in bulk represent one of the highest hazard industries and the Covenant is aimed at achieving best practice in the relevant safety standards. The regulators in return are committed to better relationships with the companies they regulate through greater transparency and forward planning provided by Intervention Plans (1.) and through working with industry to agree standards and performance monitoring.
Steve Elliott signed the agreement with Kevin Allars, Head of Chemical Industries Division, Health and Safety Executive and Martin Biggs, Head of Industry Regulation, Environment Agency and Bob Tyler, CIA President. Allan Reid, National Head of Environment Protection, is also a signatory for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Commenting on the Chlorine Covenant, Steve Elliott said, “this is a first for industry and I am very proud that the chemical sector has signed up to such a significant commitment on safety. The safety of our employees and those who work or live near our sites is our top priority and this new spirit of co-operation between industry and the regulators will help deliver best practice in safety management across the sector.”
As part of the Covenant the Chemical Industries Association will co-ordinate the sharing of information about any incidents and performance data, and will work closely with HSE/EA and member companies in using this information to raise safety standards.
