40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety 1970–2010

International Section for Chemistry 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

Contents

Greetings of the ISSA President...... 3 Greetings of the ISSA Secretary General ...... 4 Motivation and Challenge ...... 5 History of the ISSA Chemistry Section ...... 6 International Project to Ban Asbestos...... 9 “Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering” Working Group ...... 10 Focus on Nanotechnology ...... 12 “Dangerous Substances” Working Group ...... 13 40 Years of the ISSA Chemistry Section – 30 Years of PAAG Seminars . . . 16 “Explosion Protection” Working Group...... 17 “The Section cultivates a global culture of prevention” ...... 19 Organisation and Membership ...... 20 Bureau of the ISSA Chemistry Section...... 21 International Symposia ...... 22 Imprint ...... 23

2 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

Greetings of the ISSA President

On 17 June 1970, International tional Section of the ISSA on Pre- Social Security Association (ISSA) vention in the Chemical Industry Secretary Dr. Leo Wildmann at- has a key role to play with regards tended the founding meeting of the to hazardous substances, asbestos Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo International Section of the ISSA on or biotechnology. As science pro- President of the International Prevention in the Chemical Indus- gresses, responses to new exposures Social Security Association try. The Chemistry Section was the to hazards must be found to reduce fifth Section of the ISSA, dealing accidents and exposure to health with prevention of occupational hazards and thus protect the workers accidents and diseases. Six more and their families. This proactive Sections emerged after the founding approach in prevention is a genuine of the Chemistry Section, all gath- part of social security. By providing ered under the umbrella of the ISSA its experience and knowledge to Special Commission on Prevention. ISSA member institutions, the ISSA Chemistry Section has – since its ISSA had already been involved in foundation – therefore contributed the field of prevention since 1954. to ISSA’s overall mandate to promote This work originated from an initia- and develop social security world- tive of the ISSA members dealing wide. with accident insurances, compensation and also rehabilitation. Follow- I would like to congratulate the ing this request, ISSA started organ- Section led by Dr. Erwin Radek, ising symposia and colloquia for its for 40 years of work in the area of members to learn more about the occupational safety and health benefits of prevention in specific and thank its members for their sectors of economic activities and long-term commitment to serving also collaborated in the first World the goal of prevention. Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Rome in April 1955.

Over the last 40 years, the ISSA’s Special Commission on Prevention has been providing hands-on information for ISSA members, for in- stance valuable expert advice, along with good practices. The Interna-

3 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

Greetings of the ISSA Secretary General

It is a great honour and pleasure for ISSA will deepen these links and me to congratulate the International explore further how social security Section of the ISSA on Prevention policies can foster preventative in the Chemical Industry on its 40th approaches across all risks of social Anniversary. I wish to congratulate security. One avenue is certainly the Hans-Horst Konkolewsky the Section in particular for its long- provision of good practice informa- Secretary General of the International standing and committed focus on tion, research, expert advice and Social Security Association the safety and health of hazardous platforms for members and other substances and its continuous and stakeholders to exchange their views, demonstrated willingness to improve as already practised over decades prevention standards and practice in in the Special Commission and its the chemical industries. This is how Sections. foundations for a safer and healthier working life can be built. The work of the Chemistry Section is an integral part of the prevention The International Section of the activities of the ISSA and has been ISSA on Prevention in the Chemical appreciated by the international Industry has provided substantive community and ISSA members input into prevention: It has con- alike. It has also added great value to tributed to the discussions on the ISSA’s work by advocating the bene- Globally Harmonized System of fits of prevention on a global scale. Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The Section has I therefore wish to express my heart- also published guidelines for the felt appreciation for the committed handling of biological and chemical work carried out by the Section agents and organized numerous during the last 40 years in the service symposia for ISSA members. of prevention. Furthermore, in 2004, the Special Commission on Prevention clearly positioned itself for a worldwide ban on asbestos with the support of the Chemistry Section.

The Prevention of occupational accidents and diseases is part of ISSA’s vision of a broader concept of prevention that includes all branches of social security and the risks associated with it. In the next Triennium,

4 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety Motivation and Challenge

On 17 June 2010, the ISSA Chem- Our 40-year success story provides istry Section is celebrating a special us with the motivation to intensify anniversary. For 40 years, it has our international activities and been committed to the global pre- make continuous progress with vention of occupational accidents occupational safety in the chemical Dr. Erwin Radek and diseases in the chemical and industry. The objective has not President related industries. changed since the Chemistry Section was founded, but there will need A large number of international to be greater focus on developing congresses, workshops and sym- countries and emerging markets. posia have been held to facilitate We have updated some aspects of the exchange of knowledge and our work as a result of industrial information between experts. Our developments and operational re- brochures and publications provide quirements, and will continue to companies and specialists in the do so. At present, for example, the Dr. Ulrich Fricker chemical industry with guidance focus is on nanotechnology – the Vice President and assistance on safety at work. subject of our next international symposium in Lucerne. We turn These successes have only been new scientific findings into practical possible with the support of our tools to provide an effective response members, in particular Suva, the to the relevant hazards. INRS, the BG RCI and AUVA. Our thanks go to all our colleagues who Major challenges lie ahead. These have been committed to our cause are challenges that we are more than over the decades. happy to tackle, and we will be Stéphane Pimbert judged on our success in doing so. Vice President We consider it vital to intensify the collaboration between the 11 Sec- The Bureau of the ISSA Chemistry tions. Particularly important in this Section hopes you enjoy reading our respect is the success of the Special anniversary brochure and invites Commission on Prevention and you to lend your active support to close cooperation with the ISSA in our work. Geneva.

Thomas Köhler Secretary General

Dr. Erwin Radek

Dr. Ulrich Fricker Stéphane Pimbert

Thomas Köhler

5 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

– the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The ISSA has now expanded into a truly global Association, bringing together over 330 organisations in 145 countries.

The key players in the prevention of accidents and work-related health risks are the 11 International Sec- tions of the ISSA. Their activities cover the following sectors: agricul- ture, the construction industry, electricity, the chemical industry, mining, machine and system safety, the iron and metal industry, health services, information, research and education/training.

The Chemistry Section was established on 17 June 1970 at the Accident Insurance Institution's Emergency Hospital in Frankfurt History of the am Main. This was largely achieved thanks to the enormous commit- ISSA Chemistry Section ment of three people – Dr. Leo Wildmann, Secretary General of the ISSA in Geneva, Dr. Paul Versen, The roots of our commitment to the prevention of occupational accidents Executive Director of the Accident and diseases date back to the industrialisation of the 19th century. Insurance Insitution for the Chemi- cal Industry (BG Chemie), and At the end of the 19th century aim of developing and strengthening Dr. Bruno Marti from the Swiss and in particular following the sickness insurance throughout the National Accident Insurance Fund First World War, social insurance world. (Suva). schemes developed rapidly in a large number of countries and social The International Conference of The very next day – 18 June 1970 – protection was included on the National Unions of Mutual Benefit the first International Symposium agendas of the newly established Societies and Sickness Insurance began. It focused on the topics of international organisations. In May Funds was launched in Brussels in planning and construction at chemi- 1927, for the first time, representa- October 1927. Delegates from 17 cal companies, with particular em- tives of mutual benefit societies and organisations came together, repre- phasis on occupational safety, and sickness funds were included among senting some 20 million insured accidents resulting from unexpected the national delegations at the 10th persons in Austria, Belgium, chemical reactions. International Labour Conference Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, in Geneva. Items on the agenda Luxembourg, Poland, Switzerland Dr. Paul Versen was elected the first included the introduction of interna- and the United Kingdom. A Secre- President of the ISSA Chemistry tional regulations for the economic tariat was established in Geneva. Section, Dr. Bruno Marti the Vice and health protection of workers by President and Dr. Rolf Kassebart, means of social insurance schemes. In 1947, the organisation's 8th Gen- Head Technical Inspector of BG A group of delegates decided to form eral Assembly ratified a new Consti- Chemie, the Section's first Secretary an international association with the tution and a new name was adopted General.

6 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

From the outset, the Bureau's work was dominated by complex technical discussions. One particular objective was to establish a work programme for the Chemistry Section. In subsequent years, the specialist work was transferred to specific working groups, with participants drawn mainly from institutions that were members of the Section and from the chemical industry.

The inaugural meeting of the Section on 17 June 1970 under the direction of Dr. Leo In 1978, the “Explosion Protection” Wildmann (2nd from left), Secretary General of the ISSA in Geneva. and “Protective Measures for Sub- stances with Delayed Health Effects” (now: “Dangerous Substances”) working groups were established. The “Requirements Relating to Safety Officers and their Deploy- ment” working group successfully completed its work in 1983.

The initial regular bulletins with general information were replaced by specialist brochures, which are still being published today. The first two brochures were “Safe and Healthy” (1972) and “Safety Audits” (1974).

The Chemistry Section currently has two active working groups – “Explosion Protection” and “Danger- ous Substances”. In addition to providing an informal platform for sharing experiences, they prepare brochures and organise workshops/symposia that attract considerable international interest.

The Section's objective is to promote prevention in the chemical industry worldwide. It is active around the world in fields that help prevent occupational accidents and diseases in its area of responsibility, in particular in the plastics, rubber, bio - technology, pharmaceutical, paint/ coatings, explosives and mineral oil industries. An extract from the documentation from the founding meeting.

7 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

The Section helps employers and Vice Presidents of the Section are Involvement in the employees in these industries accept elected at least every six years at this Special Commission their responsibility for the health Meeting. and safety of staff and take the The Section’s involvement in the necessary preventive measures. The Bureau of the Section comprises ISSA Special Commission on Pre- Safeguarding human health is a a President, two Vice Presidents, vention is particularly important. basic humanitarian principle and, the Secretary General of the ISSA This Commission includes the as such, one of the fundamental in Geneva (ex officio) and the Secre- Presidents and Secretary Generals goals of social security. The aim of tary General of the Chemistry Sec- of all 11 Sections, enabling progress prevention, a strategy employed tion. Bureau meetings normally to be made on cross-sectional pre- within the framework of social take place twice a year. The General vention-related topics (such as de- policy, is to protect the health of Secretariat is responsible for all mography). As part of the ISSA individuals and ensure their safety organisational issues regarding the agenda, the Special Commission in all areas of their lives. Section. initiates, coordinates and carries out international activities in the The Chemistry Section's activities The Section's working languages field of prevention, in particular are based on its Standing Orders are German, French and English. to prevent occupational accidents and guided by the decisions of the The international symposia are also and diseases. In addition, the Members' Meeting and the Bureau. trilingual – often in addition to the Special Commission adopts a stance The Section's members represent language of the country where they on key prevention-related issues. the “Legislature”. All key issues are are held. Brochures are published in discussed at the triennial Members' three or more languages, too. The President of the Chemistry Meetings. The President and the two Section, Dr. Erwin Radek, was on the Organising Committee for the World Congresses on Safety and Health at Work in 1999 in Sao Paulo, The 1970 work programme 2002 in Vienna, 2005 in Orlando and 2008 in Seoul. The Secretary 1. Technical accident prevention in the chemical industry through General at the time, Dr. Klaus safety requirements relating to Bartels, was on the Programme 1.1. plant and equipment Committee for the same Congresses. 1.2. appliances and means of transport From 2000 until 2008, Dr. Radek 1.3. use of hazardous agents was also Vice President of the Special Commission. I 2. Psychological accident prevention in the chemical industry through 2.1. information and training for employees 2.2. advertising on the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases

3. Research into the causes of accidents in the chemical industry 3.1. establishing the causes of accidents 3.2. increasing the amount of documentation on accidents

4. Preventing damage to health through 4.1. preventive measures to identify health risks 4.2. information on hazardous agents 4.3. medical check-ups prior to and during employment

8 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

International Project to Ban Asbestos

One of the first cross-sectional proj- ban the production, trading and The brochure entitled “Asbestos: towards ects of the ISSA Special Commission use of all types of asbestos. a worldwide ban” is available in Chinese, on Prevention, an initiative for a Russian, Arabic, German, English, French, worldwide ban on asbestos, started China still produces significant Spanish and Portuguese from: in 2002. Dr. Klaus Bartels, who had amounts of asbestos. No Chinese ISSA Publications already spent many years working delegate was present when the “Dec- Case Postale 1 hard to get asbestos banned in Ger- laration on Asbestos” was made. 1211 Geneva 22 many and Europe, was in charge of Switzerland the relevant working group. The change of heart at a Chinese- Fax: +41 (0)22 799 85 09 German symposium for accident E-mail: [email protected] At that time, the issue of asbestos prevention in Nanchang in 2006 worldwide was far from easy. with delegates from virtually all The brochures are also available in pdf Although the carcinogenic effect Chinese provinces and the Deputy format to download at: www.issa.int of fine asbestos dust has been recog- Minister of Social Affairs from (search for: “asbestos ban”). nised for decades and asbestos is Beijing was therefore all the more now responsible for hundreds of encouraging. In their lectures, Dr. thousands of deaths worldwide, 2.5 Erwin Radek and Dr. Klaus Bartels Assembly of the ISSA in Moscow in million tons of asbestos continue to underlined the health risks of as- 2007. They accused speakers who be mined and processed each year. bestos. During the subsequent dis- were critical of asbestos of lying and cussions, it became clear that the adopted the same stance at the XVIII In September 2004, at the General Chinese participants were no longer World Congress on Safety and Assembly of the ISSA in Beijing, denying that a problem existed. Health at Work in Seoul in 2008. the Special Commission adopted a Dr. Klaus Bartels was in charge of declaration prepared by the project The same cannot be said of the the ISSA symposium on asbestos, group and calling on all countries to Russian delegates at the General with high-profile international

9 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety asbestos experts who unanimously called for a global ban on asbestos for ethical and economic reasons. Only the Russian speaker and the delegate from the “Chrysotile Trade Union Alliance” rejected this call. They made vicious verbal attacks on the moderator and the speakers, culminating in the distribution of a brochure entitled “Chrysotile As- bestos Saves Lives”. These delegates gained no support whatsoever at the Congress. South Korea made an important gesture following the World Congress by deciding to ban asbestos.

Stepping up the pressure

Forty countries around the world have now banned asbestos, but Brazil, Canada, China, Kazakhstan, Biotechnology: agrobacteria are used to transfer selected genes from other plants to Russia and Zimbabwe are still major unripe rice seeds. producers.

The asbestos campaign initiated “Biotechnology and Genetic by the Special Commission has had the additional effect of provoking Engineering” Working Group renewed debate on closing Canada’s two remaining asbestos mines. At the beginning of the 1990s, the ISSA Chemistry Section set up an This initiative of the ISSA Special international working group on biotechnology and genetic engineering. Commission is stepping up the It included recognised science and industry specialists and experts from pressure on all asbestos-producing the French, Dutch, Austrian, Swiss, British and German occupational countries to ban the mining and safety agencies. The working group was initially chaired by Dr. Siegfried processing of this substance as soon Adelmann and then by Dr. Hans-Josef Riegel – both from BG Chemie. as possible – not only on humanitarian grounds, but also for economic Prior to this, the EC “Contained how to overcome the relevant risks reasons, because the treatment and Use” directive on the use of geneti- through technical, organisational, compensation costs for asbestos cally modified organisms in closed biological and personal protective victims are considerable. I systems and the EC directive on measures. protecting employees against biological agents had been adopted and Under the title “Control of Risks the member states had started im- in Work with Biological Agents – plementing them in national law. Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering”, This made occupational safety an the working group prepared the integral part of biological safety. three ISSA brochures “Principles”, The working group's task was thus “Laboratory Work” and “Production”. to provide employers, users and interested parties with clear and The “Principles” brochure provides comprehensible information on an insight into the world of micro-

10 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety organisms (biological agents such and treatments. These range from as bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses basic hygiene measures and the rules and cell cultures) and their use in of Good Microbiological Practice the production of food, pharmaceu- to the enclosure of areas and equip- ticals and vaccines. It describes the ment, including aseptic work on metabolism and reproduction of microbiological safety workbenches. biological agents, provides details on carriers of genetic information such The brochure also looks at typical as DNA and RNA and their function aspects of work involving biotech- in the organism, and explains the nology and genetic engineering such mechanism of protein biosynthesis as use of hazardous substances and (from DNA to protein). radionuclides, and avoiding contam- ination (biocontrol programme). In addition to legally compliant opera- Occupational safety, environmental tion, it provides details on measures protection and product protection to take in the event of an emergency, first aid, and occupational medical The chapter on the principles of care. The “Control of Risks in Work with genetic engineering explains how Biological Agents” brochures are available recombinant DNA works. Genetic The third brochure in the series – in English, French and German. engineering enables the properties “Production” – deals with typical of an organism to be transferred occupational safety measures in between species. For example, the production, in particular during ability of a higher organism to pro- submerged fermentation. Experts duce insulin can be transferred to from the working group describe a strain of bacteria, which can then the safety requirements relating to be multiplied to produce insulin on equipment and explain the features an industrial scale. of hygienic design, low-contamina- tion processing techniques and work The “Laboratory Work” brochure under sterile conditions. describes occupational safety, environmental protection and product The working group has created a protection concepts. These concepts seminal work that has contributed are based on a hazard assessment of to meaningful debate over the past the biological agents. In addition to decade and is helping to ensure that having properties that are harmless work in the fields of biotechnology to humans, these agents can also and genetic engineering is both safe cause serious infectious diseases. In and humane. Today, almost twenty order to ensure the use of infectious years after work in these fields agents, seed viruses and reassortants started, biotechnology and genetic is made as safe as possible, there is a engineering are regarded as safe graduated, modular safety concept technologies. that aims to prevent the transmis- sion of infectious agents and thus The principles and basic rules de- minimise the impact on people per- fined by the ISSA for occupational forming experiments, the population health and safety in biotechnology and the environment. and genetic engineering can, to a significant extent, also be applied This brochure gives laboratory to the latest developments in nano - supervisors and staff an overview of technology and “synthetic biology” all the coordinated safety measures and developed accordingly. I and effective preventive measures

11 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

stipulate that nanomaterials should be treated in the same way as new substances – taking into account appropriate protective measures – if their specific properties have not already been adequately investigated. Given the multidisciplinary nature of nanotechnology – encompassing natural sciences, engineering and medicine – virtually all sectors will be affected. The rapid development of nanotechnology also has health and safety implications.

Our knowledge of this technology is insufficient to enable a sound risk assessment. Human and environmental toxicology results show that further highly vigilant investigation is required into the effects and that preventive protection measures must be implemented. The impact on fire and explosion behaviour also needs Simulation of a nanotechnology operation on a mainframe computer. A “soft” organic to be taken into account. molecule pulls a nanothread from a “hard” metal surface. Nanotechnology will be a key area of activity for the ISSA over the coming years. All over the world, it is impor- Focus on Nanotechnology tant to learn much more about the properties and effects, and to dis- cover more about exposure levels at According to international standards, nanomaterials are one-dimensional, the workplace. two-dimensional or three-dimensional material portions with structures sized between 1 nanometer and 100 nanometer. There has always been Further tasks include raising aware- nanomaterial of natural origin: volcanos are spewing great amounts of ness at companies and offering these nanoparticles, also contained in ﬂames. companies practical assistance in ef- Nanotechnology has being used for many centuries. Potters in Mesopotamia fectively combating possible hazards. created pots with special glittering effect by means of copper and silver As far as we know, the protective nanoparticles, whereas in the Middle Ages glassworkers created ruby glass measures already available are effec- by melting with gold particles. tive. We simply need to apply them wherever nanotechnology is used. Towards the end of the 20th century, Nanotechnology is exerting a grow- nanotechnology emerged in its own ing influence over the consumer The opportunities and risks of right, and the number of new sub- sector, the manufacturing and pro- nanotechnology and its significance stances and materials has grown cessing industries, health and safety, for occupational health and safety exponentially. There are known to and environmental protection. are the subject of a symposium of the be more than 800 products incor- Nano materials that need to be han- ISSA Chemistry Section on 4 and porating nanotechnology on the dled with particular care are increas- 5 October 2010 in Lucerne, Switzer- market, and around ten new ones ingly common at the workplace. land. To register, go to: are added every month. German laboratory guidelines thus www.issa.int/prevention-chemistry. I

12 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

acceptance. The way in which these fundamental issues play out in practice was demonstrated by lectures and discussions on topics such as G Risk assessment of hazardous substances at the workplace G Risk management of hazardous substances G Maximum concentrations in the air in work areas.

Following the lectures and plenary sessions, two working groups G Occupational Safety and G Environmental and Consumer Protection were formed to find practicable solutions.

The Occupational Safety working group observed that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) find it particularly difficult to iden- Dr. Erwin Radek, Dr. Henning Uhlenhaut and Dr. Klaus Bartels (left to right) at the tify and assess the hazards – i.e. the opening of the “Risk” symposium held in October 2005 in the Austrian town of Tobelbad, risk – of chemicals because there are near Graz. no workplace limits for most chemicals. SMBs need concrete, practical assistance in monitoring chemicals. “Dangerous Substances” Occupational health and safety organisations should therefore develop Working Group new strategies and methods to meet this need.

In 1978, the Section set up the permanent working group “Protective The Environmental and Consumer Measures for Substances with Delayed Health Effects”. It was renamed Protection working group identified the “Dangerous Substances” working group in 1987. Headed initially by similar difficulties. In order to im- Dr. Henning Uhlenhaut and currently by Antje Ermer (both from the BG prove the assessment of risks (haz- RCI), the working group includes high-ranking international experts ards), more information is required from the chemical industry, institutions involved in occupational safety on the substances, their uses and ex- and accident insurance institutions. posure levels. Risk reduction strategies need to be developed based on a Over the past five years, the group “Risk” International Symposium standardised definition of the term has focused on the subject of risk risk. and the associated international At the “Risk” International Sympo- political/administrative initiatives sium on 6 and 7 October 2005 in The lectures, presentations and re- on the use of chemicals (REACH the Austrian town of Tobelbad, near sults of the symposium are available and GHS). Graz, experts from Austria, France, in pdf format at www.issa.int (search Germany, Switzerland and the for: “tobelbad”). United Kingdom discussed issues relating to the definition and psy- chology of risk, including risk per- ception, risk assessment and risk

13 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

REACH is intended to establish a uniform legal framework in the EU for evaluating existing and new substances and to optimise the flow of information on substances being used. This could improve occupational safety, environmental protection and consumer protection, and make product development and production processes more cost- effective.

Symposium participants appealed for bureaucracy to be kept to a mini- mum by concentrating on the key points so as not to jeopardise the European chemical industry's inter- During the ISSA REACH symposium on the occasion of the ACHEMA 2006 in Frankfurt national competitiveness. They sug- an international group of experts with representatives of companies, trade unions and gested registering substance groups, governmental organisations discussed the effects of the planned EU regulation on the accepting existing data and standar- use of chemicals in industry, trade and commerce. dising the information on substances required for the safety data sheet. They also expressly welcomed the International REACH symposium European Parliament's proposed introduction of exposure categories. The results and findings of the “Risk” symposium came in useful in May The REACH regulation came into 2006 at ACHEMA in Frankfurt am force on 1 June 2007. It applies in Main during a two-day symposium all member states of the European of the ISSA Chemistry Section, Union and affects an estimated which took a critical look at the 30,000 substances, each with an planned European directive on the annual production of over one ton. registration, evaluation and authori- sation of chemicals (REACH). The The lectures, presentations and re- symposium was chaired by Dr. Klaus sults of this symposium are available Bartels, Secretary General of the in pdf format at www.issa.int (search ISSA Chemistry Section, and Pro- for: “reach achema”). fessor Christian Jochum, Chairman of the Commission for Plant Safety advising the German Federal Government. More than 100 international representatives of industry, politics and official bodies discussed the planned EU regulation and its impact on businesses. Björn Hansen from the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Environ- ment presented the draft regulation and commented on the state of play in the European Parliament.

14 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

“GHS – A Challenge!” international symposium

Following the introduction of the EU REACH directive, the Danger- ous Substances working group focused on the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for the classification and labelling of chemicals developed by the United Nations (UN). In June 2007, a draft EU regulation was sub- mitted to the responsible committees for discussion.

Experts from 16 countries attended a symposium entitled “GHS – A Challenge!” in the French city of Marseille on 25 and 26 February 2008. This symposium was organised by the ISSA Chemistry Section in cooperation with the Research Section. Speakers included recognised experts from the UN, the Eu- ropean Commission (Directorate General for Enterprise and Indus- try), the French Environment Min- istry, the German Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, French, Canadian and German occupational safety and environmental protection institutions, the European Trade Union Confederation and international chemical companies. They reported on the status of the regula- tory procedure, the classification The new pictograms (right-hand column) have created a global system for labelling and criteria, the practical impact on classifying substances. international transport and occupational safety, and the interlinking of REACH and GHS. The lectures, presentations and re- international acceptance is the new sults of this symposium are available set of hazard symbols. When the GHS Regulation came in pdf format at www.issa.int (search into force on 20 January 2009, it put for: “GHS Marseille”). into practice the “Agenda 21” system discussed at UN level since the 1992 The introduction of the GHS meant Earth Summit in Rio. This new regu- there were no longer different na- lation in European chemical legisla- tional systems and regulations for tion also resulted in changes to many transporting hazardous goods and aspects of the REACH directive of handling hazardous substances. The 2007, which was adapted to the new most striking feature of the stan- classification and labelling system. dardised system that has now gained

15 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

40 Years of the ISSA Chemistry Section – 30 Years of PAAG Seminars

It was Dr. Heinz Hofmann from people have attended the seminar, BG Chemie's Technical Inspectorate which is still offered three times a who publicised the Hazard and year by the “Safe Plants” unit. Operability (HAZOP) process developed at UK company ICI in German- A lot of things have changed over The brochure "PAAG method" is speaking countries and published the past 30 years and the seminar available at the ISSA chemistry section. it in an ISSA Chemistry Section has therefore had to be adapted fax: +49 (0) 6221 523 593 brochure for the first time in 1978, on an ongoing basis to meet partici- e-mail: [email protected] calling it the “PAAG method”: pants' expectations.

Prognose von Störungen The 1970s and 1980s brought the (fault prognosis) introduction of systematic safety which led to it being cited as the Auffinden der Ursachen work at companies (especially in method of choice in the first Admin- (cause identification) process engineering plants), inter- istrative Regulation on Accidents Abschätzen der Auswirkungen disciplinary teamwork and a special (1. Störfallverwaltungsvorschrift). (impact assessment) methodology for directing a team Gegenmaßnahmen of specialists. PAAG has now become a key (remedial action) standard risk analysis method for Most seminar participants had no planned and existing chemical plants PAAG is a systematic way of identify- experience whatsoever in the appli- – both in German-speaking coun- ing non-obvious sources of hazards cation of such methods. Companies tries and internationally – ensuring in all kinds of systems. It is based on and, consequently, seminar partici- the safety and availability of systems, methodical brainstorming according pants initially regarded them with occupational safety, environmental to fixed rules with a multidiscipli- scepticism and in some cases re- protection and product quality. nary group of experts. jected them out of hand. To start with, there was also a shortage of Users modify PAAG according to tutors with practical experience. the relevant circumstances to find Successful seminar concept the best possible balance between At the same time, however, the in- input and benefit. For example, 20 May 1980 marked the start of the troduction in Germany of the Major the “original” PAAG is often used first PAAG seminar co-initiated by Hazard Control Act for the preven- for new plants, while a simplified the ISSA on systematic hazard deter- tion and control of serious chemical version is applied to existing plants mination for complex plants and accidents meant that in 1982 many for which a considerable amount of processes at BG Chemie. It was companies were faced with the task information and experience already entitled “PAAG Method: Manage- of complying with the requirements exists. ment Appreciation Course” and was of the Act’s “safety report”. The re- initially held in English under the sponsible licensing authorities were direction of HAZOP “inventor” Ellis very impressed with the transparent Knowlton. Since then, around 2,800 and straightforward PAAG system,

16 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

PAAG seminars and PAAG brochure

How can companies optimise systematic safety work? BG RCI experts Dr. Gerd Uhlmann and Dr. Joachim Sommer are following developments closely. They work with a group of experts on developing the seminars and documentation in line with the current operational requirements in practice, based on feedback from seminars and discussions with PAAG users. The large number of experienced tutors now available from different companies also helps matters. To coincide with the “Explosion Protection” symposium at ACHEMA 2009 in Frankfurt, The content and structure of the BG Chemie provided an impressive demonstration of the risks of explosion at its stand. PAAG brochure published by the ISSA Chemistry Section also takes the changing requirements into “Explosion Protection” account. Dr. Klaus Bartels was in charge of the 2nd edition, published Working Group in 1990, which constituted a major revision of the original publication. The 3rd edition from 2000 (with The Explosion Protection working G Determination of the Combustion editorial changes in the 4th edition group has a long tradition within and Explosion Characteristics of from 2006) took into account all the ISSA Chemistry Section. Its ac- Dusts the recent developments with a tivities and the internationally pub- G Practical Assistance for the Prepa- significantly modified concept and licised results of its work have ration of an Explosion Protection layout, but the basic statements made the industrial use of explo- Document remained the same. I sive substances safer the world over. These results have also been The brochures have been updated incorporated in national standards and extended as new information and training documentation, and in international regulations such as the EU's non-binding guideline on Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX).

The working group has published eight ISSA brochures on the following subjects: G Gas Explosions G Safety of Liquefied Gas Installa- tions G Static Electricity G Dust Explosion Protection G Dust Explosion Incidents G Dust Explosion Prevention and Protection for Machines and Equipment

17 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

International recognised experts were discussing and reporting on the topic "explosion protection". On the podium (left to right) Dr. Bernd Broeckmann (Germany), Dipl.-Ing. Gerhard Nied (Germany), IR. Ake Harmanny (Bel- gium), Fabio Pera (Italy), Dipl.-Ing. Richard Siwek (Switzerland), Ing. Emmanuel Leprette (France)

became available, and this process currently headed by Dr. Martin Summaries of the lectures and pre- will continue. Most brochures are Gschwind (Suva) and includes mem- sentations in English and German available in German, English, bers from Austria, Belgium, France, are available in pdf format at French, Spanish and Italian. For in- Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, www.issa.int (search for: “Explosion- formation on where to obtain the Slovenia, Switzerland and the United sschutz”). Searching for “Explosion various “Technical Guidelines” on Kingdom. The first joint meeting Protection” will find other ISSA the subject of explosions, go to took place in Paris in September publications on this subject. www.issa.int (search for: “explo- 2008. sion”). In cooperation with Suva (the Swiss Explosion protection documents The Explosion Protection working National Accident Insurance Fund), groups of the ISSA Chemistry Sec- the INRS (French National Research A particular task of the Explosion tion and the Machine and System and Safety Institute for the preven- Protection working group is to up- Safety Section merged in 2008 to un- tion of occupational accidents and date the collection of examples in lock synergies and improve effi- diseases), BG Chemie (German Ac- the “Dust Explosion Prevention and ciency. This new working group is cident Insurance Institution for the Protection for Machines and Equip- Chemical Sector) and the ISSA Sec- ment” brochure. These examples are tion for Machine and System Safety, an important basis for preparing ex- an international symposium on explosion protection documents lead- plosion protection was held at ing on from the ISSA’s 2006 work- ACHEMA 2009 in Frankfurt under shop in Munich entitled “Practical the aegis of the ISSA Chemistry Sec- Assistance for the Preparation of an tion. The event focused on Explosion Protection Document”.

G The prevention of and protection A further current project of the against explosions working group is preparing a new G The assessment of the potential ISSA brochure on avoiding effective risk of explosion ignition sources. I G The duty to coordinate G Risk assessment G How the latest research results are put into practice.

18 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

“The Section cultivates a global culture of prevention”

When I was asked to join the ISSA Quite apart from humanitarian con- Chemistry Section's “Dangerous siderations, it is thus also in the eco- Substances” working group 20 years nomic interests of international com- ago, I was only too happy to oblige. panies to bring their technical and At the time, Canada's Responsible expert knowledge to bear in the Care® (RC) initiative was enjoying a opinion-forming process before po- positive response from the European litical decisions are made. chemical industry's companies, asso- ciations and unions. Today, Respon- The ISSA Chemistry Section's work- Professor Herbert Bender has been a sible Care® is institutionalised in shops and symposia bring together member of the ISSA Chemistry Section's more than 50 countries. In Germany, social security institutions and or- Dangerous Substances working group the VCI (Chemical Industry Associa- ganisations, employer and employee for 20 years. He is in charge of safety, tion) has been in charge of the Re- representatives, political decision- hazard prevention and the management sponsible Care® programme since makers, senior state officials, recog- of hazardous substances at BASF. In his 1991. nised scientists and experienced article marking the 40th anniversary of practitioners from all over the world. the ISSA Chemistry Section, he praises RC networks companies and organi- New scientific knowledge and the the Section's work from the perspective sations across borders and continents latest experience is shared, discussed of a global chemical group. – in a similar way to the ISSA Chem- and passed on to the relevant compa- istry Section in the field of occupa- nies, organisations and institutions. tional safety. RC and the ISSA share The Section uses the latest communi- similar goals in terms of health and cations channels to push interna- safety and environmental protection. tional transfer and to encourage a Rather than looking at accident pre- global culture of prevention in the vention and occupational safety in chemical industry as a basis for spe- isolation, both RC and the ISSA re- cific measures in the fields of health gard them as being part of a global and safety and environmental protec- system of plant, production and tion. Thanks to the work of the product safety. This makes the ISSA's Chemistry Section, the high indus- activities the ideal complement to the trial safety standards (best practice) tasks of a global chemical company in the Western world are enjoying in- that acts responsibly in line with the creasing popularity and application Responsible Care® initiative and sees worldwide. health and safety, environmental protection and cost-effectiveness as For 40 years, the Section has been a equally important objectives. vigilant monitor of the chemical industry and an attentive advocate of Improvements in health and safety at its employees with a view to manu- the workplace have a positive impact facturing ever better products under on productivity and, consequently, the best possible humanitarian con- on a company's socio-economic de- ditions. velopment. High safety standards go hand in hand with business success.

19 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

Organisation and Membership

The ISSA Chemistry Section consists the very latest practical know-how Associate members have an advisory of a small number of highly commit- G Members of the Section will help function at the Members' Meetings. ted ordinary members: you directly with technical or specialist issues . Interested individuals and organi- G Allgemeine Unfallversicherungs- G You can take part in the Section's zations are invited to apply for mem- anstalt – AUVA, Vienna, Austria symposia at reduced rates. bership: www.issa.int/prevention- G Asociación para la Prevención de G You obtain a free copy of all of the chemistry (“Membership”) Accidentes – APA, San Sebastian, Chemistry Section's publications Spain G Berufsgenossenschaft Rohstoffe Non-members can participate in the Members’ Meeting und chemische Industrie – BG Section's symposia and can order RCI, Heidelberg, Germany brochures directly from the Section. A Members' Meeting is held at least G Berufsgenossenschaft für every three years, generally in con- Nahrungsmittel und Gaststätten – junction with an International Sym- BGN, Mannheim, Germany Types of membership posium of the Chemistry Section. G DECHEMA e.V. – Frankfurt, The Members' Meeting discusses and Germany The Chemistry Section has two types rules on questions relating to work G IDICT – Portugal of membership: programmes, objectives and standing G National Safety Council – NSC, USA orders and elects the President and G D.D.B. Fundacentro, Sao Paulo, Full members the two Vice Presidents of the Chem- Brazil Non-profit-making organisations istry Section at least every six years. G Institut National de Recherche et and members of the International de Sécurité – INRS, Paris, France Social Security Association, Geneva, G Schweizerische Unfallversicherungs- who are involved in the Section's Working groups anstalt – Suva, Lucerne, Switzerland operations or wish to promote these. G ISMAI – Portugal There are currently two permanent G Korea Occupational Safety and Associate members working groups: Health Agency – KOSHA, Korea G Profit-making organisations G Dangerous Substances G Consejo Nacional de Seguridad de and companies involved in the G Explosion Protection Chile – Chile Section's operations or wanting to promote these. The list of members of these groups G Experts in the form of individuals is shown at www.issa.int/prevention- The ISSA Chemistry Section involved in the Section's operations. chemistry (“About”). welcomes new members interested in supporting a non-profit-making organisation (on a voluntary basis) Members which is committed to improving safety and health protection. Bureau Membership offers the following advantages: G You can help shape the work of Permanent Ad hoc the Section and introduce your Secretariat working groups working groups experience directly. G You can take part in the Section's working groups and profit from Structure of the ISSA Chemistry Section

20 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety

Publications Vice President: Dr. Ulrich Fricker, Vice President: Dr. Jean Verrier Director of the Board of the Schwei - INRS, France A list of available brochures and zerische Unfallversicherungsanstalt – Secretary General: Hans Friedl technical guidelines of the ISSA Suva (Swiss National Insurance BG Chemie, Germany Chemistry Section is provided at Fund), Switzerland www.issa.int/prevention-chemistry 1988 and 1991 (“Resources”). Vice President: Stéphane Pimbert, President: Hanswerner Lauer Directeur Général et Directeur BG Chemie, Germany du Centre de Lorraine, INRS Vice President: Dr. Dominik The Bureau (Institut National de Recherche et Galliker, Suva, Switzerland de Sécurité), France Vice President: Dr. Bernard The President and two Vice Presi- Moncelon, INRS, France dents are elected from the ordinary Secretary General: Thomas Köhler, Secretary General: Hans Friedl members – or the existing appoint- Spokesman of the Management BG Chemie, Germany ments are confirmed – at a Mem- Board of the BG RCI (Berufs - bers' Meeting at least every six years. genossenschaft Rohstoffe und 1994 The following are automatically chemische Industrie), Germany. President: Hanswerner Lauer appointed to the Bureau: Ex officio BG Chemie, Germany the Secretary General of the ISSA, Vice President: Dr. Dominik Geneva, who can appoint a repre- Former members of the Bureau Galliker, Suva, Switzerland sentative, and the Secretary General Vice President: Dr. Bernard of the Chemistry Section who is ap- as elected or confirmed by the Moncelon, INRS, France pointed by the newly elected Bureau Members’ Meeting Secretary General: Dr. Erwin Radek and must come from the organisa- BG Chemie, Germany tion which provides the Secretariat 1970 and 1973 of the Chemistry Section. The President: Dr. Paul Versen 1997 Bureau meets two to four times BG Chemie, Germany President: Dr. Erwin Radek every year and, on the basis of the Vice President: Dr. Bruno Marti, BG Chemie, Germany decisions taken by the Members' Suva, Switzerland Vice President: Dr. Dominik Meeting, makes decisions on the Secretary General: Dr. Rolf Galliker, Suva, Switzerland programme, sets up working groups, Kassebart, BG Chemie, Germany Vice President: Dr. Bernard appoints members to these groups Moncelon, INRS, France and decides on the inclusion of new 1976 and 1979 Secretary General: Dr. Klaus Bartels members. President: Dr. Paul Versen BG Chemie, Germany BG Chemie, Germany Vice President: Dr. Bruno Marti, 2000, 2003, 2006 Members of the Bureau Suva, Switzerland President: Dr. Erwin Radek Vice President: John Gardner BG Chemie, Germany President: Dr. Erwin Radek, former CIA, United Kingdom Vice President: Dr. Ulrich Fricker Executive Director of the Berufs- Secretary General: Dr. Friedrich-W. Suva, Switzerland genossenschaft der Chemischen In- Schierwater, BG Chemie, Germany Vice President: Dr. Bernard dustrie (BG Chemie) and Executive Moncelon, INRS, France Director of the Accident Insurance 1982 and 1985 Secretary General: Dr. Klaus Bartels Institution’s Emergency Hospitals President: Hanswerner Lauer BG Chemie, Germany in Ludwigshafen and Tübingen, BG Chemie, Germany Germany. Vice President: Dr. Dominik Galliker, Suva, Switzerland

21 40 Years of Commitment to Improving Safety International symposia organised by the Section

1st International Symposium, 1970, Frankfurt 10th International Symposium, 1985, Frankfurt G Planning and construction in chemical firms with G Recent developments in chemical apparatus and plant special regard to occupational safety engineering G Accidents due to unexpected chemical reactions 11th International Symposium, 1987, Annecy 2nd International Symposium, 1972, Karlovy Vary G Safety in handling gases G Dust explosion risks in mines and industry – methods 12th International Symposium, 1988, Frankfurt of defining the characteristics of combustible dust G Biotechnology and genetic engineering relevant to safety G Protection from substances hazardous to health 3rd International Symposium, 1973, Frankfurt 13th International Symposium, 1989, Budapest G Protection against explosions in the chemical industry G Limiting risks in chemistry (occupational safety, G Information of immediate interest on accidents and environmental protection) occupational diseases in the chemical industry 14th International Symposium, 1991, Frankfurt 4th International Symposium, 1976, Frankfurt G Hazardous substances: Safety in transport and G Problems of the secure direction of chemical reactions warehousing G Current information on prevention of accidents and occupational diseases in the chemical industry 15th International Symposium, 1993, Lugano G Safety pays! Safety in interaction with quality, 5th International Symposium, 1977, Bucharest productivity and economy G Safety problems concerning processing machinery in the chemical industry 16th International Symposium, 1994, Frankfurt G Present information on prevention of accidents and G Machinery in the chemical, plastics and rubber occupational diseases in the chemical industry industries – safe design and safe use 6th International Symposium, 1979, Frankfurt 17th International Symposium, 1997, Frankfurt G Transformation of toxicological findings in the G Plant safety in the chemical industry chemical plant 18th International Symposium, 2000, Frankfurt G Current information on accidents and occupational G Safe handling of biological agents diseases in the chemical industry and measures for prevention 19th International Symposium, 2001, Toulouse G Dusts, fumes and mists in the workplace 7th International Symposium, 1981, Salzburg G Teaching methods for training in industrial safety 20th International Symposium, 2003, Frankfurt at plant level G Man – safety – technology G The economic effects of occupational accidents 21st International Symposium, 2006, Nice G Influencing of human behavioural patterns of plant G Design process and human factors integration level 22nd International Symposium, 2008, Marseille 8th International Symposium, 1982, Frankfurt G GHS: A challenge! G Methods and strategies for monitoring of working areas by measurement techniques 23rd International Symposium, 2009, Frankfurt G Current information on accidents and occupational G Explosion protection diseases in the chemical industry and measures for 24th International Symposium, 2010, Lucerne prevention G Nanotechnology – opportunities and risks 9th International Symposium, 1984, Lucerne New challenges for prevention G Safety against explosions

22 Imprint

Published by: International Section of the ISSA on Prevention in the Chemical Industry c/o Berufsgenossenschaft Rohstoffe und chemische Industrie (BG RCI) Kurfürsten-Anlage 62, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany www.issa.int/prevention-chemistry Authors: Dr. Klaus Bartels, Prof. Herbert Bender, Dr. Thomas Brock, Dr. Berthold Dyrba, Dr. Hans-Josef Riegel, Niels Schurreit, Dr. Joachim Sommer, Dr. Henning Uhlenhaut Photos: BASF (1, 10, 19, 24), ISSA (3, 4), BG RCI (5, 7, 13, 14, 17, 18), Suva (5), INRS (5), Federal Archives (6, Fig. 111-098-067), CeNTech (12), Bayer (24) Design: bleydesign, Ute Bley, Cologne, Germany Editor: Waldemar Becker, Redaktionsbüro für Wirtschaft&Soziales, Leichlingen, Germany Printed by: Warlich Druck Meckenheim GmbH, Meckenheim, Germany

ISSA International Section on Prevention in the Chemical Industry

c/o BG Rohstoffe und chemische Industrie Kurfürsten-Anlage 62 | 69115 Heidelberg | Germany Tel.: +49 (0)6221 52 34 60 | Fax: +49 (0)6221 52 35 93 E-Mail: [email protected]