Humanizing Work and Work Environment. December 11-14, 2001 Human Factors in Safety in Road Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals in India

摘要

In view of the large prevalence of accidents in road transportation of hazardous chemicals, there is much to be done by the manufacturers of chemicals industries in improving the quality of vehicles and drivers and in their training by the traffic authorities in improving the infrastructure and traffic discipline. The central vehicles rules 1989, certain provisions have been incorporated, putting certain restrictions on the vehicles carrying hazardous substances and those who are supposed to drive these vehicles. The object of these provisions is the road safety and protection of the life of innocent citizens from the potential hazards. Certain data (1983 - 1992 ) pertaining to vehicular accidents transporting hazardous chemicals are highlighted. This contribution includes discussion about various irregularities and lack of adequate inspection by traffic authorities, regarding emergency panel information needing immediate attention and finally key elements of safety of chemical transportation. Rapid industrialisation has improved the quality of our lives, but if the associated hazards are not fully controlled, the industrialization may bring in harm to the society and the people at large, in terms of ill health and disasters. Hundreds of new chemical substances are entering in the chemical industries every year. Various industries having health hazards and having potential risk of occupational diseases are coming in existence. Certain substances do not manifest apparent immediate toxic effects and hence are thought to be safe for handling. General experience has shown that various chemical substances, which were thought to be safe, have turned out to be highly toxic for human health after lapse of certain latent period, and known to produce irreversible damage to human health. The instance of Bhopal gas tragedy is a grim reminder of the efforts, which are still required to be made to avoid such disasters in the future. The death of over 2500 innocent victims and the continuing suffering of over 25000 survivors of the holocaust will indeed be in vain, if we do not learn the lessons of Bhopal. After the Bhopal disaster, several other subsequent disasters and catastrophes have built up public opinion and have created awareness amongst managements, governments and the trade unions and thrown light on the potential hazards. With increase in number of hazardous industries, the responsibility of the Occupational Health Physicians, Industrial Hygienists and Safety Professionals have increased manifold.