7th July 2009 1
A S E M Indo-German Environment Programme on
Environmental Policy, Urban and Industrial Environment
Anita Kumari, Environmental Consultant
7th July 2009 2
Experiences from the Programme
“Chemicals Management for SMEs”
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India’s émergence as economic power vastly depends SMEs. SMEs are believed to account for more than 90% of industries
Trained manpower or procedures for dealing with hazardous substances responsibly often do not exist
Health of employees and environmental health often endangered.
Losses to the enterprise: spillages and wastage chemicals, sick leave. Losses to the worker: medical cost, reduced life expectancy.
What is the problem?
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Specific problem areas
Workers have very limited information on chemicals used (properties, hazards, safety information, first aid measures)
Several substances are stored in unlabelled containers, contents know only to some. Hazards are thus unknown.
Workers are unaware of hazards. Casual handling of substances without the required precautions and protection, spillages
Absence of an inventory leading lack of knowledge of quantities available, occasionally even to chemicals expiring.
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Approach of the ProgrammeImparting knowledge about safe management of chemicals and environment, health and safety (EHS) in SMEs through an interactive and participatory 5 day workshop.
Guiding participating enterprises in adapting these concepts to their needs and encouraging the implementation in the course of the workshop
Guiding participating enterprises in the implementation through 3 network meetings and, if necessary, on-site reviews in solving problems encountered, leading to a successfull implementation.
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Programme elements
6
Determining amounts> lost> wasted> contaminated> expired
Knowing all chemicals on hand(inventory)
Monitoring implementation
Identifying situations where hazards are present
(hazard = anything that can eventually cause harm to people or environment)
Implementing measuresto use chemicals more
efficiently and safely
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ImprovedChemical
Management
Group ofParticipants
(companies andConsultants / trainees)
NetworkmeetingNetwork
meetingNetworkmeeting
Continuous improvement in the company
Individual support / visits toCompanies by consultants
4,5 days training workshop, including 0.5 day company visit
Hot Spot Identification + Chemicals Inventory
Chemical Management Programme
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Benefits for participating enterprises
Reducing production costs through better utilisation of chemicals and lesser sick leave calls.
Reducing hazards through improving occupational health and safety of workers, reducing their medical expenses.
Building in-house capacities for safe management of chemicals
Actual results through guided step-by-step approach
Electroplating Industry, Peenya, Bangalore
Brief Profile of Company
No. of Employee: 25
Investment: 1 Crore
Turn over : 10 Crores per annum
Products: Gold Plating on watches, Pens, Religious Implements, Idols etc
Workshop: Development of an Action Plan
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Hot spotsProposed measure
Aim of measure
Time frame
Results to be monitored
Acid store: Open lids
Close lids Avoid spillage
1 day
Lids closed
Acid store: Some containers unlabelled
Label containers
Clear identification of all substances
1 day
2 days
100% of containers are labelled
Acid store: Containers may fall Fencing
Avoiding accidents
1 week
Fence in place
Electroplating industry in Bangalore
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Lids closed
Labels attache
d
Labels attache
d
Containers more
securely stowed
Acid StoreAcid Store
Example: Electroplating industry in Bangalore
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Orderly arrangement and labeling
Orderly arrangement and labeling
Shelves
cleaned
Dry StoreDry Store
Before: No
labeling
Example: Electroplating industry in Bangalore
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Temporary coverage
of leaching tubs
Temporary coverage
of leaching tubs
Dry StoreDry Store
Example: Electroplating industry in Bangalore
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Cooking arrangeme
nt shifted
Cooking arrangeme
nt shifted
PantryPantry
Example: Electroplating industry in Bangalore
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In this case, almost all hot spots addressedMeasures mostly of engineering nature involving little or no costProprietor very happy with resultsBehavioral challenges seen as greatest challengeTangible improvements are in reach where both the participant and proprietor are commitment to improvements
Conclusions