NPRA '02: Chem plant security strategy nears completion

26 March 2002 18:58  [Source: ICIS news]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (CNI)--Development of an industry-wide chemicals plant security strategy is well under way and will be ready in draft form by mid-April, an industry official said here Tuesday.

Russ Crockett, vice president for Responsible Care and engineering at Lyondell Chemical Co, told the 27^th annual International Petrochemical Conference (IPC) here today that the "Chemical Industry Security Strategy" (CISS) is on course for a 5 June release to the industry.

The CISS is being developed by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) with the assistance of the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) and other stakeholders.

Crockett said the CISS is focused on protecting chemical company employees, the public and chemical plants and products from terrorist attacks.

He said the security strategy being developed has eight principle policy guidelines that will be reflected in specific measures:

• The program must be visible to the public in order to build public confidence in the industry's ability to protect its facilities and the communities around them;
• It must be rapidly implemented;
• It must be measurable so that security gains can be discerned;
• It must draw on credible risk assessment;
• Implementation of the CISS must be verified by third parties, such as local police and fire departments;
• The program must include the entire chemicals value chain, including transportation;
• It must protect process information; and
• It must be promoted actively to the community.

Crockett said that chemical industry leaders must continue to work with government as legislation and regulations are developed affecting chemical industry security measures.

He spoke at a concluding session of the NPRA's IPC.

By: Joe Kamalick
+1 713 525 2653

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