Representatives of the petrochemical industry joined work safety
officials in Shanghai yesterday in calling for safe and clean
manufacturing practices within the industry.
Li Yongwu, director of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry
Association (CPCIA), said the chemical industry had contributed to
the country's economic development, but certain sectors, especially
those that make dangerous products, have struggled with frequent
accidents and pollution.
Overall, the number of manufacturing accidents in all industries
fell by 12.6 percent last year, and there were 11.2 percent fewer
deaths.
No figures were made available for the petrochemical industry,
but Li said there had been more accidents and deaths.
"While most industries have been able to improve their safety
records, the petrochemical industry is failing behind," he
said.
Many factories have been targeted for closure because of
pollution, he said.
"Most of the accidents happen at manufacturing and storage
facilities at major petrochemical companies," he said.
"And there is an increasing number of small private companies
that rely on low-quality and outdated technology. They also cause a
lot of accidents and pollution.
"As the industry expands, so does the distribution network,
which is also a threat to safety."
Li and other major business leaders and government officials
issued a collective call for the petrochemical industry to join an
international program called Responsible Care, a voluntary
initiative that encourages companies in the industry to promise
safe operations and sustainable development. It was launched in
Canada in 1985 and has been adopted by 52 leading chemical
associations in the world.
"This program will play a key role in improving the environment
as well as promoting the image of Chinese enterprises. This will
ensure their sustainable development," Liu said.
Ken K Tsang, environment, health and safety director of Dow
Chemical's Asia Pacific operations, said the company had joined the
program and called on other companies to do the same.
"To be accepted as a caring, responsible citizen in the
community requires the efforts of the entire chemical industry," he
said.
(China Daily October 31, 2007)
