Europe to follow BCDTA model?

02 December 1996 00:00  [Source: ICB]

A PROGRAMME for environmental awareness and accident reduction from the British Chemical Distributors & Traders Association (BCDTA) could soon be adopted by equivalent bodies throughout Europe.

Now in its second year, the Responsible Care Indices of Performance (RCIP) programme aims to reduce accidents through training its members in safety workshops and targeting problem areas through the promotion of better accident reporting.

The RCIP approach is currently being looked at by the BCDTA's German equivalent and will be the subject of discussion by the Fédération Européenne du Commerce Chimique (FECC) when it meets in June.

'If the BCDTA model were to be adopted it would have the advantage of allowing the standardisation of chemical transport accident data across Europe, with each country able to implement its own individual requirements,' says BCDTA director Colin Wainwright.

Based on the data given by its 58 full members (representing around two-thirds of the UK chemical distribution industry), the BCDTA revealed that the number of accidents (fatalities and reportable injuries) in 1994 rose slightly to 81 from 76 in 1993. Accidents involving the transportation of chemicals rose from 28 in 1993 to 34 in 1994, or one accident for every 26 316 deliveries made.

'While accident levels have remained more or less static over the past two years, they are still above the industry average and there is room for significant year-on-year improvements to be made by BCDTA members,' said chairman Ieuan Thomas.

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