SAICM hosts chemical safety training workshop

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment and the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is spearheading a chemicals safety and chemical use inventory training for field officers in St Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

This is in keeping with the aims of the Environmental Department in strengthening national capacity for the sound management of chemicals in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The opening ceremony for this workshop was help on Monday, March 5, 2012, at the Methodist Church Hall.

Project Coordinator Tasheka Haynes said that individuals and collective bodies have expressed enthusiasm and interest in this ever important topic of chemicals management. Haynes urged participants to take the information presented and to implement it in their various work areas.

Focal Point for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Marcus Richards said SAICM is a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world. Richards added that the overall objective of SAICM is the achievement of sound chemicals management throughout their life cycle so that by 20/20 chemicals are produced and used in ways to minimize significant adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Participants will benefit from information about safety and the use of chemicals; identification; classification and labeling of chemicals (the global harmonized system); personal protective clothing; transportation and the storage of chemicals.

The facilitator of the training is Senior Occupational Health and Safety Officer Lesmond Magloire from St Lucia. The chemical safety training workshop will run for two and three days, respectively, inclusive of field trips and observations.