IMPROVE PROCESS SAFETY, MALAYSIA CHEMICAL FIRMS TOLD

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Chemical companies have been told to improve their process safety measures to promote performance and address negative perceptions of the industry.

Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia (CICM) Chairman Dr Abd Hapiz
Abdullah said this could be achieved by adopting the Responsible Care Principles and the Codes of Management Practices, which cover the entire lifecycle of chemical production and trade.

"Chemicals are used everywhere -- as input in various manufacturing
processes and industries as well as in our daily life, bringing countless benefits to mankind.

"However, if the chemicals are not used or produced in the right way, the industry itself will be subjected to negative publicity and scrutiny by the public as well as other stakeholders," he said at the 1st Hazards Asia Pacific Symposium here on Tuesday.

He said proper safety measures should be implemented to prevent any
unfavourable incidents that would cost a company unnecessary losses and also put the industry and economy at large in jeopardy.

Process safety should be taken seriously to avoid a repeat of past incidents such as the BP Texas Refinery incident in March 2005 that left 15 people dead and resulted in a loss of more than US$1.5 billion.

"This symposium is timely since the chemical industry, as an economic sector, is becoming increasingly important in the Asia Pacific region.

"In Malaysia itself, the chemical industry contributes to the economy as the second largest exporter of the manufacturing sector," Abd Hapiz said.