Brussels - A new safety programme for handling aliphatic isocyanates has been launched by ALIPA, the European Aliphatic Isocyanates Producers Association.
"Many accidents in handling chemical products happen because of personal behaviour rather than due to the products, equipment or procedures in use," notes Wolfram Frank, secretary general of ALIPA, in a 20 Jan announcement to publicise the programme.
ALIPA says it is committed to ensuring safe, proper handling of its products and to support downstream users on safety matters. Hence ALIPA has created the 'Safeguard' programme, with the tagline "We care that you care!"
Safeguard consists of leaflets listing recommendations and measures for safe handling of aliphatic isocyanates. The presentations are available on the ALIPA website in three languages and contain two parts:
• Safe handling of diisocyanate monomers
• Safe handling of polyisocyanates in spray applications
ALIPA explains that through this programme it aims to raise awareness and increase understanding of safe use of its products, and so achieve "a significant reduction of product-related incidents and accidents."
Safeguard is designed to be versatile and adaptable, and will be continuously improved, based on dialogue with users of ALIPA's products.
The programme entails a sustained and long-term effort which will also help downstream users to comply with the implications of the European Union's chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals).
"We are calling on all users of aliphatic isocyanates to join the programme, as 'We care that you care!' " said the announcement.
PIC: Wolfram Frank (r) explaining PU's benefits in insulation to EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas at a green event in Brussels last June.
See more on ALIPA's Product Stewardship program at www.alipa.org or contact:
Wolfram Frank, ALIPA Secretary General, Av E. Van Nieuwenhuyse Laan 4, Box 9, B-1160 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 676 74 75
Fax: + 32 2 676 74 79
E-mail: [email protected]
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