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”

7th July 2009 3

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?

7th July 2009 4

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.

7th July 2009 5

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.

7th July 2009 6

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

7th July 2009 7

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

7th July 2009 8

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

7th July 2009 10

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

7th July 2009 11

Lids closed

Labels attache

d

Labels attache

d

Containers more

securely stowed

Acid StoreAcid Store

Example: Electroplating industry in Bangalore

7th July 2009 12

Orderly arrangement and labeling

Orderly arrangement and labeling

Shelves

cleaned

Dry StoreDry Store

Before: No

labeling

Example: Electroplating industry in Bangalore

7th July 2009 13

Temporary coverage

of leaching tubs

Temporary coverage

of leaching tubs

Dry StoreDry Store

Example: Electroplating industry in Bangalore

7th July 2009 14

Cooking arrangeme

nt shifted

Cooking arrangeme

nt shifted

PantryPantry

Example: Electroplating industry in Bangalore

7th July 2009 15

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