REACTIVE chemical hazards is one of the subjects the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) is committed to addressing, said Bill Allmond of NACD.
The association is alerting the industry to the dangers that occur when non-compatible chemicals are accidentally mixed and a hazardous condition occurs as a result.
He discussed the NACD's concern about the hazards at the Chemical Week Transportation and Distribution Conference January 13-14 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Allmond emphasized the importance of using material safety data sheets (MSDS) to identify chemicals so that reactive hazards do not occur during storage, loading and unloading, and transportation.
Adverse chemical reactions have caused numerous incidents that have alarmed the industry, and many fear there are gaps in federal emphasis on the problem, Allmond said.
To address the issue, the association signed an alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in March of 2004 that will provide new educational and training opportunities on reactive hazards. Members of the alliance include the American Chemistry Council, Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association, The Chlorine Institute Inc, the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center; and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
More information about reactive chemical hazards is available from NACD by calling 703-527-6223.