|
BACKGROUND:
The growing worldwide commitment to protect human health and the environment from toxic and dangerous chemicals has catalyzed action in many countries to establish well co-ordinated and integrated national programmes for the sound management of chemicals. Such integrated approaches are called for; in particular through Chapter 19 of Agenda 21 and by the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety due to the cross-sectional nature of chemicals management and the interested of various government ministries and other stakeholders in this area. Thus, many countries, in particular those where resources are scarce, are now considering the development of a sound organizational framework at the national level through which sustained national action and systematic progress in the area of chemicals management can be ensured.
The successful results of phase1 and the fruitful outputs (ERS, CD, User Manual,…..) of Hazardous Substance Information and Management System had a great influence and raised the awareness for Hazardous Substances (HS) handling. During the fulfillment of the Post Implementation activities and the Extension Phase activities as well as the field survey for some industrial facilities and meetings with local authorities.
Recent events raised the issue of safety and emergency preparedness for all people in the country. These events included those which are naturally occurring, such as earthquake or floods. They also included industry-related events that cause serious damage to the environment and loss of the life and
property. It is now universally acknowledged that every disaster, whatever the cause, has an environmental impact. The causes of naturally occurring events has not been understood, predicted or effectively prevented. In the meantime, there is a need to prepare us to respond to these emergencies when and where they occur.
Safety experts in industry have the philosophy that all industrial accidents are preventable. Yet, they are realistic enough to prepare response plans in case such accidents occur.
While most industrial accidents can be contained within the boundaries of the industrials plant, there are those cases where impact extend beyond its boundaries to affect the plant neighborhood and have adverse short or long-term consequence affecting life, property and
society. The extent of loss caused by such accidents depends on a large extent on the actions of the first responders to an emergency within the industrial facility and the local community around it.
The adequate response to such situations requires a well-coordinated action of individuals and institution from the local community. This can only be achieved if there were awareness in the community of the possible hazard and the need for mutual preparedness to cope with their consequences.
|
|
1. It is the first time to build an information system for hazardous substances in Egypt containing a reliable database. Now, it will be the first time to interface this database with Internet and switch the system to be a web-based application.
2. It will be the first time to build a system in cooperation with partners other than the ministries or governmental agencies. The main new partners will be local authorities, industries, local communities and interest groups. This will be established in 6th of October City as a community containing an industrial zone.
3. This system will improve and support the community for their right to know and be informed in addition to participate at all times in response planning for hazardous installations.
4. Efforts should be done to keep the homogenous team of ministries representative who worked in phase 1 and encourage them for real and positive participation since they will be the end users and the owners of the system.
|
