8. Emergency response: Principles to industry

Abstract

This chapter provides principles on the specific role of industry during the response to chemical accidents.

    

In the event of a chemical accident, management of the hazardous installation or designated official should immediately activate its onsite emergency plan.

In the event of a chemical accident that results or threatens to result in harm to health, the environment or property off site, or otherwise cannot be handled by onsite response resources, management or other employees of a hazardous installation should promptly alert local emergency response authorities. National or local regulations may require the emergency response authorities to be alerted to an incident, even if it can be handled by onsite response resources. This may be separate from a requirement to notify authorities that an accident has occurred.

Management should designate a responsible person to assist response personnel with information, expertise and other resources, as needed.

In the event of a chemical accident, the public authorities, in addition to the emergency responders, should be contacted in the manner and according to the mechanisms defined in the internal (onsite) emergency plan.

• These authorities may be responsible for the enforcement of labour protection, environmental protection or civil protection measures. Appropriate communication and co-ordination should be ensured at all times.

• All necessary information should be made available as far as possible.