Developing better codes of practice

Recent meetings with the National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) and the Environment Agency (EA) have helped to bring delivery to the objectives for better handling of liquid spills long promoted by the BSIF Sorbent Manufacturers Group. Concerned with both the safety of people responsible for the clean-up of spills and the adverse environmental consequences of poor handling of these emergencies, the BSIF is now to take an active role in the development of the EA's Pollution Prevention Guidance [PPG 22 specifically relates to spills].

The BSIF has opened communication channels to help the NCEC provide advice-seekers with more comprehensive guidance on suitable sorbents, clear information on the types of protection likely to be required and access to training packages designed to improve the performance of first-responders. It is hoped that these new initiatives will expand to include specific industry reports targeted at providing less generic and more specific guidance for use by a variety of industrial sectors such as construction, agriculture, transport, etc.