Chlorine emergencies response

09/2008

Co-operation between the European chlorine industry and the national/regional authorities has resulted in practical Emergency Assistance Teams in order to respond to any incident (on industrial sites or during transport) involving chlorine. In some cases, these organisations cover more products than chlorine.

The Emergency Assistance Teams, with all necessary equipment, are permanently available to attend the scene of an incident. All personnel are specifically trained and are available at the request of local authorities within their area of operation.

A list of some existing organisations and the link to access the specific information is given below.
For efficient operation of this scheme it is vital that the following organisations are fully aware of its capabilities and who to call for assistance when needed:

  • all participants of each Emergency Assistance Team
  • industrial chlorine users / transporters
  • responsible authorities i.e. police, fire brigade, civil protection
  • key personnel of the railway system

Europe

The ICE (International Chemical Environment) scheme is now generally applied in Europe thanks to corresponding organisations in each country. General information on ICE is available at the following address:
http://www.cefic.org/Templates/shwStory.asp?NID=27&HID=378 .

This page contains more detailed information by clicking on the sections:

  • Operational National ICE Schemes
  • CE Product Simplified Schemes

Download here an explicative folder on the European chemical industry ICE programme.

Belgium

The national ICE scheme is called BELINTRA (Belgian Intervention System for Transport Accidents). There is a formal agreement between the Belgian chemical industry federation (Essenscia) and the competent authorities whereby the emergency authorities can contact two centres - BASF-Antwerp (Dutch speaking) or Solvay-Jemeppe (French speaking). These will provide assistance themselves or call in support from one of the 30-odd participating companies.

BASF-Antwerp acts as national ICE centre for international contacts.

Further information: Essenscia (René Dillen) - Tel 32-(0)2-2389777 - Fax 32-(0)2-2389941 - E-mail rdillen@essenscia.be

Czech Republic

Chemopetrol TRINS system:

http://www.chemopetrol.cz/html/index.php?s1=1&s2=4&s3=14&lng=2

France

Transaid:

http://www.uic.fr/transaid/web/accueil.aspx

Germany

Assistance scheme TUIS:

http://www.vci.de/TUIS

Sweden

The cooperation between the authority "Räddningsverket" and the chemical industry is described on
www.SRV.se
Click succesively on "Räddningstjänst", "Genomförande", "Kemräddning / Farliga ämnen"
read "Samverkansavtal med industrin"
click "Läs mer"
read "Samverkansavtal med kemiindustrin"
click "Avtal om företags medverkan i räddningstjänst vid olyckor med kemikalier"
read "Avtal om företags medverkan i kommunal räddningstjänst vid olyckor med kemikalier"

United Kingdom

INEOS ChlorVinyls assistance; select “Chemical Emergency Advice and Information” on:

http://www.ineoschlor.com/she/emergencyadviceindustry.shtml

all participants of each Emergency Assistance Team

A list of some existing organisations and the link to access the specific information is given below.
For efficient operation of this scheme it is vital that the following organisations are fully aware of its capabilities and who to call for assistance when needed: