Further support to comprehensive safety guidance issued by a collective of organisations late last year has been received through its endorsement by the International Chemical Transport Association (ICTA).
Drawing on the combined expertise and experience in the movement of dangerous goods around the world, several global trade organisations — International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA), International Vessel Owners Dangerous Goods Association (IVODGA), National Cargo Bureau (NCB) and World Shipping Council (WSC) – jointly issued a White Paper entitled, ‘Safety Guidance for Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling Facilities’¹ in December last year.
A number of influential industry stakeholders² have subsequently endorsed the Guidelines and now the International Chemical Transport Association (ICTA) can be added to the list. Richard Steele, CEO of ICHCA welcomed the additional support,
”To make a real difference to the standards of safety in supply chains that feature hazardous materials, it is vital to reach all involved and create a critical mass of like-minded partners. The endorsement of our work by such an authoritative voice as ICTA is therefore decidedly welcome.”
A pivotal element of the White Paper is a Warehouse Checklist. A practical management tool, the Checklist format is a significant addition to the other elements of the White Paper. Broken down into eight key functional areas of operation, its fourteen-pages are designed to be comprehensive yet easily digestible as an everyday device for maintaining safety management vigilance.
For its part ICTA sees the White Paper and the safety efforts it represents as a step forward in guiding operators to improve their already high standards, “Chemical supply chains rely on an interplay of different actors to deliver dangerous goods safely across the globe,” commented Douglas Leech, Chair of the ICTA Transport & Security Committee. “Chemical distributors cooperate closely with logistical and warehousing companies to make this happen. These guidelines will help them to jointly prevent incidents in their warehouses – keeping workers, neighbors, and the environment safe.”
¹ Both the Dangerous Goods Warehousing White Paper and Checklist are downloadable from here https://ichca.com/warehousing-safety-guidance
² Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), Bureau International des Containers (BIC), Container Owners Association (COA), Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA), Danish Shipping, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA), International Group of P&I Clubs (IGP&I) and Through Transport Mutual Insurance Association Ltd (TT Club).
About ICHCA International
Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.
Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan and plus Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.
About ICTA
The International Chemical Trade Association (ICTA) represents the global chemical distribution industry and promotes safe and sustainable chemical supply chains. The chemical distribution industry has an important role in enabling chemistry to make a positive societal impact. Aside from taking responsibility for their own operations, chemical distributors interact with their customers and suppliers to help them to work more safely and securely. Based on their deep knowledge of chemicals and global markets, chemical distributors enable innovative chemical supply chains that deliver low-impact products invaluable for global welfare. For more information visit www.icta-chem.org.