As chemical distributors and other businesses around the country begin to ramp up onsite operations and return to more normal routines, there are precautions that we must all take if we are to resume operations in a safe yet effective manner.
For years, ChemEdge has served as a premier forum for chemical distributors to educate themselves on important regulatory issues, gain awareness of the latest products and services available to our industry, and connect with experts and peers to discuss new and innovative solutions to the evolving challenges we face every day. While COVID-19 has required that we make some changes to this year’s format, we’re excited about the ways we plan to ensure that, while your experience at ChemEdge may be different this year, the impact of the event on our industry remains unaltered.
As chemical distributors, so much of the important work we do in getting Americans the products they rely on every day happens behind the scenes in warehouses, blending facilities, and other onsite locations. While chemical distributors are all perfectly aware of the hard work that goes into ensuring these facilities are run efficiently and safely in accordance with NACD Responsible Distribution®, key stakeholders like our federal representatives often don’t fully “get it” until they see our operations first-hand.
It’s not the first time a decision to extend the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program has gone down to the wire – and it may not be the last – but at least the latest agreement is some positive news amid a cloud of uncertainty during the current COVID crisis.
In the coming weeks, Houston, TX, would have hosted its first national final of the You Be The Chemist® Challenge – a competition for 5th–8th grade students that highlights the importance of chemistry and encourages a future career in science. Regrettably, the coronavirus outbreak forced the decision to cancel the event. Yet, while we won’t have an overall champion crowned this year, we can still celebrate the achievements of those who advanced through the early rounds to become state winners.
This is the final post in a two-part series on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and the chemical industry. Part one looked at how the crisis has impacted companies so far and what their response has been. Here, we’ll cover how organizations are adjusting to remote work and look to what the future might hold.
COVID-19 is changing the world, and while chemical manufacturers and distributors have not been spared, not all outcomes are negative. Learn about the impact in this two-part series.
For many chemical distributors, freight rail provides an essential avenue to deliver the products Americans rely on every day. This National Transportation Week, as our supply chains adjust to accommodate new demand amid the coronavirus pandemic, it has never been so important for rail customers — many of which are NACD members — to be able to rely on efficient and affordable rail services in order to run their businesses successfully and serve their customers.
Every year, North American Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week reminds us of the importance of safety and health in the workplace. Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, NAOSH Week is ever more relevant. Many of us are working from home. Some of us are being asked to perform job functions we may not be used to. As chemical distributors continue to warehouse, blend, and deliver the chemicals used to make products needed to address the national public health emergency and keep America running, Responsible Distribution safety and health practices of excellence continue to support everyone from the warehouse to the boardroom.
Until recently, chemical producers and distributors have been fairly slow to react to the new opportunities posed by digital tools and technologies. Other industries such as banking and manufacturing have already embraced the advent of digitalization and have been able to both streamline operations and improve productivity as a result. However, opinions are changing and chemical distributors are becoming far more aware of the benefits and a little less reluctant to invest and innovate, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.