Improving chemical safety – The foundation for sustainable development of modern industry

According to statistics from the International Labor Organization (ILO), every year more than 2 million workers worldwide are affected by occupational accidents and diseases due to exposure to toxic chemicals. Chemical leaks or spills not only cause property damage, but also cause serious environmental pollution, threaten the lives of millions of living species and degrade air and water quality.

In particular, in supporting industries such as textiles, footwear, automobile manufacturing, etc., a large amount of hazardous chemicals are used, so there are many potential risks of chemical incidents. Commonly used chemicals in supporting industries include:

• Caustic soda (NaOH): Highly corrosive, can cause severe burns if in direct contact.
• Toluene: Harmful to the nervous system, may cause cancer with long-term exposure.
• Sulfuric acid (H2SO4): Used in battery production, can easily damage skin and eyes.

Lack of knowledge about chemical safety leads to many consequences:

• Health risks: Workers working in environments containing toxic chemicals without protective gear and without adequate knowledge of chemical safety often face respiratory and dermatological diseases...
• Economic loss: Major accidents not only affect health but also cause serious property damage.
• Environmental pollution: Untreated wastewater containing chemicals is the main cause of water pollution in many industrial zones. According to a report from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment , 40% of groundwater in Vietnam is at risk of pollution due to industrial activities.

Current situation in Vietnam

With the rapid pace of industrial development, Vietnam is no exception to this situation. Many notable incidents have caused serious environmental pollution.

In particular, supporting industries such as textiles, footwear, and automobile manufacturing are areas with very high levels of chemical use. The government has identified these three groups of industries as the focus of development until 2025, with the goal of increasing the localization rate to 65-70%, promoting domestic production. However, the use of many dangerous chemicals such as caustic soda, Javen, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and toluene poses many great risks if there is no knowledge about how to use, preserve, transport, and collect them, these chemicals have a great impact on human health and the surrounding environment.

The supporting industry in Vietnam is facing many challenges related to chemical safety, including:

• Lack of awareness: A large number of workers are not fully equipped with knowledge about the dangerous properties of chemicals, how to use and store them safely.
• Infrastructure constraints: Many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, have not invested adequately in ventilation systems, wastewater treatment systems, and personal protective equipment.
• Legal regulations have not been strictly enforced: Although there are many legal regulations on chemical safety, inspection, monitoring and handling of violations are still limited.
• Competitive pressure: To reduce production costs, some businesses tend to cut spending on environmental protection and labor safety activities, leading to non-compliance with chemical safety regulations.

The role of chemical safety training

Chemical safety training is not only a short-term solution to address risks in chemical operations, but also a core factor ensuring sustainable development for industries. Through training, workers will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to:

• Risk identification and assessment: Identify potential hazards in working with chemicals and assess the level of risk.
• Use chemicals safely: Know how to store, transport, and mix chemicals properly, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and follow safety procedures.
• Incident response: Know how to handle emergency situations such as chemical leaks, fires, and first aid in case of chemical exposure.
• Required Skills: In emergency situations such as chemical leaks or fires, the ability to respond quickly and accurately is crucial to limiting damage.
• Practical results: A business in Hai Phong reported a reduction in property damage after its team was trained in chemical incident response skills in 2022.
• Participate in the development and implementation of preventive measures: Work with the business to develop safety procedures and participate in regular inspections and monitoring.
• Sustainability: This not only ensures a safe working environment but also creates a culture of compliance, promoting sustainable development.

Chemical Safety Training Program for organizations and businesses in the supporting industry including textile industry, footwear industry, automobile manufacturing and assembly industry for effective chemical operations: Comprehensive solution

Vietnam's supporting industries, such as textiles, footwear, and automobile manufacturing, play an important role in the country's economic development. However, the use of large amounts of toxic chemicals in production poses many risks to health, the environment, and business assets. To address these challenges, the Chemical Incident Response and Safety Center (Chemical Department) has implemented the Chemical Safety Training Project, providing a clear and effective roadmap to improve awareness and response capacity of organizations and businesses with the following main contents:

• Basic chemical knowledge training: Helps workers understand the properties, characteristics, and harmful effects of common chemicals in production.
• Legal training: Introduce state regulations on chemical safety, helping businesses comply with the law
• Training on precautions: Instruct workers on how to use personal protective equipment, how to handle chemical waste, how to develop safety procedures
• Incident response training: Equips workers with the knowledge and skills needed to handle emergency situations such as fires, chemical leaks, and first aid for chemical exposure.
• Risk management training: Helps businesses build a chemical risk management system, thereby providing effective prevention and response measures.

ATHC Training Workshop for Enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City and Chemical Incident Response Practice at Hoa Keo Ky Thuat Company Limited (TECHCHEM RESIN)

Workshops and practice sessions were held in several provinces and cities in the North, Central and South regions. At the workshops, businesses were updated with the latest legal documents and were guided on knowledge about chemicals and risk prevention measures.

Training Workshop in Da Nang City and Chemical Incident Response Practice at Da Nang Rubber Joint Stock Company DRC

The highlight of the workshop series is the chemical incident response practice. The staff of the enterprises attending the workshop are directly instructed by leading experts in the chemical field with visual aids and modern response equipment.

Instructions for operating and using protective equipment to respond to chemical incidents

ATHC Training Workshop in Nam Dinh City and Chemical Incident Response Practice at Bao Minh Textile Company - Nam Dinh

Achievements and future prospects, the series of chemical safety seminars has ended with encouraging results, contributing to raising awareness and skills for workers as well as businesses. This is an important step in the journey to build a safe production environment. However, to achieve sustainable effectiveness, there needs to be close coordination between state management agencies, businesses and social organizations.

In the future, it is necessary to continue to promote propaganda and education on chemical safety, develop diverse and appropriate training programs for each target group. In addition, there should be policies to support businesses in investing in labor protection equipment, wastewater treatment systems and other safety measures.

Chemical safety is an urgent issue that needs attention. It is not only the responsibility of individuals or businesses but also a common concern of the whole society. Raising awareness and training in chemical safety will be the key to minimizing risks, protecting human health and the environment. Together, we will build a safe and healthy industry, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the industry.

Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/phat-trien-cong-nghiep/nang-cao-cong-tac-an-toan-hoa-chat-nen-tang-cho-su-phat-trien-ben-vung-nganh-cong-nghiep-hien-dai.html