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.
Tip #1: Senior Management Commitment
Senior management commitment to employees’ well-being is an important tenet of Responsible Distribution and especially critical amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Periodically reviewing their company’s mission statement and goals to make sure that environmental, health, safety, and security issues are being sufficiently addressed, conducting safety meetings on a quarterly basis, and reviewing and signing off on all relevant corrective and preventive reports and internal audits under regular operating procedures ensures senior management is up to speed when a crisis hits.
Tip #2: Training
As essential workers in the chemical distribution industry are asked to cover new job functions they may not normally hold due to absence or illness or new employees are onboarded to meet demand, making and implementing reliable training protocols has never been more important. Responsible Distribution training requirements means our industry’s teams are set up for success with cross-training and succession plans so appropriate employees are trained in other operational capacities and training matrixes designating the requirements and frequency of employee training.
Tip #3: Respirators and PPE Fit-Testing
For many essential workers, going to work now entails using respirators or other forms of personal protective equipment (PPE). As a result, checking protective equipment for fit and good operating conditions on a regular basis is vital to ensuring that it is ready when needed, and that workers can safely do their job. Thankfully, Responsible Distribution already requires companies to have established respirator and PPE fit testing programs so that employees are comfortable with and know how to use PPE properly.
Tip #4: Communication
Internal and external communications are woven into many aspects of Responsible Distribution. Strong internal communication programs establish chains of command and help employees understand their roles and responsibilities. On a day-to-day basis, that could look like making sure your phone tree is up to date and verifying emergency contacts. Externally, chemical distributors should reach out and be in open communication with local emergency first responders and officials so that they are aware of the types of operations and material stored by the site. Now more than ever, we need to be good neighbors to the communities we call home.
Tip #5: Contingency Planning
Lastly — and possibly most important — Responsible Distribution requires companies to have robust contingency plans in place to ensure that chemical distributors are prepared to meet whatever challenges come their way. Established contingency plans help companies identify what factors can impact their business operations and how the company will react during a possible incident. In order to put that into action, your company should conduct drills on an annual basis at a minimum. These can be tabletop, functional, or even full-scale drills. You should also consider developing or enhancing your Near Miss program to include what-if scenarios.
While many chemical distributors are facing new challenges as we adjust to the new normal, we’re also uniquely prepared to address many of these challenges thanks to Responsible Distribution. NACD is here to help every step of the way as we get through this together.
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