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ACTION 7: Functional tools of REACH and Chemical Accidents Information Centre

The overall target of ACTION 7 is to develop a web portal promoting all project deliverables and outcomes as well as to specify and design functional and integrated tools of a HazChem Information Centre for systematic support and training of users (SMEs, industry, transporters, etc.) on Petrochemicals and Environmentally Dangerous Chemicals Handling and Transportation matters.

TUC will be the overall responsible for this Action.

Sub action 7.1: Development of a web-based intelligent tool for the determination of users’ legislative requirements (REACH, CLP, SEVEZO, ADR) – registered members

This tool will be available in project’s web portal and will constitute a navigator via a multiple choice database in order to enable the easy access and information retrieval to national, European and international Legislation and standards related to users requirements on chemicals handling and transportation (REACH, CLP, SEVEZO, ADR, IMDG, etc.). The users will firstly require filling an electronic registration form in order to receive their personal username and password. Creating their personal accounts the users will acquire access to the tool and can seek for the legislation related to their industry.

The expected results from this sub action will be:

  • Web-based intelligent tool with legislation database

Sub action 7.2: Development of a knowledge exchange scheme and an open channel to European and Worldwide audience (e-forum) – registered members (e.g. E-forum)

The e-forum will be a communication web system for the exchange of chemicals handling and transportation concerns, information and experience as well as the planning of common actions bringing closer SMEs, industrial producers, transporters, distributors, authorities, etc. The e-forum will be available in project’s web portal and will provide a user-friendly interface with step by step illustrative instructions which does not require specialized computer skills. It will be open to everyone interested and only at registered users. The ultimate aim of the forum will be to become a network approved and used at national level as well as at European and worldwide level.

The expected results from this sub action will be:

  • E-forum dedicated to project target-groups such as industrial producers, transporters, distributors, SMEs, controlling Authorities

Sub action 7.3: Specifications of proposed functional tools for a HazChem Information Centre

  • 7.3.1 A customized e-tool which will provide guidelines (for chemicals handling, first aid measures, creation of a MSDS, CLP of substances and mixtures, tools operation), case studies and best examples reference – registered members (e.g. “How to do it? Step-by-step instructions, Examples)
  • 7.3.2 Implementation of a complete and updated data bank (BATS – Industrial Practices for the safe transportation and loading/unloading of chemical substances, Lessons Learned from Accidents, Common Chemical Accidents during loading/unloading, Material Safety Data Sheets, PPE) with utilities for mining, reports and search of extracts, identification of appropriate PPE – registered members (e.g. “Extract information from our Databanks”)
  • 7.3.3 E-library containing papers, publications from studies relative to Environmental and Health protection from chemical spills and occupational risks, results from previous and running relative projects and all the produced dissemination material – registered members (e.g. E-Library)
  • 7.3.4 A web tool for the reporting, the recordkeeping and the analysis of accidental spills and/or injuries for advanced potential users like SMEs, Industry (e.g. “Report an incident”)
  • 7.3.5 Hotline support and/or real time response to emails or sms for alternative sources of information and sources of tools, reporting and/or searching from extracts of databases, MSDS, accidents, lessons learned, relevant sources – subscribers/paid service (e.g. Support)

7.3.1 A customized e-tool which will provide guidelines (for chemicals handling, first aid measures, creation of a MSDS, CLP of substances and mixtures, tools operation), case studies and best examples reference – registered members (e.g. “How to do it? Step-by-step instructions, Examples)

Under this activity, specifications analysis of an e-tool constituting a navigator in order to enable the easy access to chemicals safe handling information (only at registered users) will be realized. The tool information will include selected published guidelines and case studies of national, European and International organizations, industries and authorities related to issues regarding the following thematic areas:

  • Safe chemicals handling and transportation
  • First aid issues
  • Creation of a MSDS
  • CLP of substances and mixtures, etc.

The expected results from this Action will be:

  • Specification analysis of an e-tool with guidelines of national, European and International organizations on HSE matters

7.3.2 Implementation of a complete and updated data bank (BATS – Industrial Practices for the safe transportation and loading/unloading of chemical substances, Lessons Learned from Accidents, Common Chemical Accidents during loading/unloading, Material Safety Data Sheets, PPE) with utilities for mining, reports and search of extracts, identification of appropriate PPE – registered members (e.g. “Extract information from our Databanks”)

Specifications analysis of a data bank providing useful and updated material according to users’ requirements analysis and the results extracted from the previous actions of the project. The main operation of the data bank will be a navigator in order to enable the easiness in information retrieval and step by step training of the users. The data bank will be divided in the following categories:

  • Best practice and good practice information for the safe transportation and loading/ unloading of chemical hazards
  • Reports related to Lessons learned from Accidents and Incidents
  • Gathering and analysis of past accidents related to transportation and loading/ unloading of dangerous substances
  • Material Safety Data Sheets for Petrochemicals and Environmentally Dangerous Chemicals
  • Information concerning the identification of appropriate and safe use of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE)
  • The data bank will be open to everyone interested and only at registered users.

The expected results from this activity will be:

  • Specification analysis of a data bank (i.e. industrial practices, MSDS) including industrial practices and other material related to users’ requirements

7.3.3 E-library containing papers, publications from studies relative to Environmental and Health protection from chemical spills and occupational risks, results from previous and running relative projects and all the produced dissemination material – registered members (e.g. E-Library)

Specifications analysis of an e-library providing updated selected approved publications of national, European and International HSE organizations and authorities and the produced dissemination material of the project. The e-library will incorporate at least the following thematic areas:

  • Environmental protection from chemicals spills and accidents
  • Health protection from chemicals spills and accidents
  • Environmental protection from occupational hazards and accidents
  • Health protection from occupational hazards and accidents

The material of the e-library will be available only at registered users.

The expected results from this sub action will be:

  • Specification analysis of an e-library

7.3.4 Web tool for the reporting, the recordkeeping and the analysis of accidental spills and/or injuries for advanced potential users like SMEs, Industry (e.g. “Report an incident”)

Under this activity specifications analysis of a web tool which will be a systematic accident analysis tool for the identification and recording of underlying causes and environmental and health consequences of accidents will be realized.

This tool will be addressed to advanced potential users such as HSE specialists, safety engineers and people responsible for health, safety and environment in SMEs and industries.

The tool will entail identification causes and risk assessment forms which will be used for the recording and analytical presentation of environmental and health consequences of the accidents. All the information will be presented in an analytical report which will be produced automatically after the registration of all input data from the user. The report can be used to localize problem areas, to discover administrative, technical or organizational weaknesses related to transportation and handling of dangerous substances and thus to plan preventive and corrective actions for the prevention of accidents.

The expected results from this activity will be:

  • Specification analysis of a web tool for accidents reporting and analysis

7.3.5 Hotline support and/or real time response to emails or sms for alternative sources of information and sources of tools, reporting and/or searching from extracts of databases, MSDS, accidents, lessons learned, relevant sources – subscribers/paid service (e.g. Support)

Under this subtask an interactive communication web system will be specified for online personalized recommendations dedicated to industries, SMEs, transporters, etc. The system will provide a user-friendly interface with step by step illustrative instructions which does not require specialized computer skills.

The proposed communication system will be based on Issue tracking systems (also called trouble ticket system or incident ticket system) which are computer software packages that manage and maintain lists of issues, as needed by an organization. Issue tracking systems are commonly used in an organization’s customer support call center to create, update, and resolve reported customer issues, or even issues reported by that organization’s other employees. An issue tracking system often also contains a knowledge base containing information on each customer, resolutions to common problems, and other such data.

Creating their personal accounts the users will acquire access to the system and can request for consultation (form of a ticket), related to issues regarding the operation of project’s functional tools, alternative sources of information and sources of tools and retrieval of information searching from extracts of databases, MSDS, accidents, etc.

A scientific team comprised of specialists in health safety and environment matters, safety engineers and consultants, and industrial experts will support the communication system providing valid and tailor-made recommendations. The stated requests will be assigned to the appropriate expert/s (named by the system as ticket owner/s) taking into account the users demands and the “ticket” content and complexity. The experts will be obligated to provide explicit and direct replies. Thus, the system will establish a contact between the users and the expert/s in order to satisfy their requests as soon as possible.

The system will be able to provide hotline support and response to SMS, as well as support by phone centre.

The expected results from this activity will be:

  • Specification analysis of a web-based interactive communication system for personalized recommendations (hotline support)

No particular constraints and problems are foreseen during the implementation of ACTION 7, considering the extended experience of the coordinator in the users requirements analysis, specifications determination and development of functional tools for systematic training and support of industries on risk management and safety matters, as well as the experience of all project partners in the analysis and determination of the material and guidelines for the prevention of accidental releases and environmental damage involving chemicals. However the utilization of the tools by the users during the pilot implementation (i.e. number of registered members) will highlight whether this has been successful (see ACTION 8).

TUC will be the scientific coordinator for this action, participating in all actions. TUC will be responsible for the web portal design and functionality. The portal administrator will be TUC and will keep it active and properly functional after the project. Moreover TUC will be responsible for the development and determination of all proposed functional tools of this action and the collection of the necessary data of these tools. MOH and AVINOIL will contribute during the implementation of three sub actions collecting all the necessary data.