(Washington,
DC)
– As part of its outreach efforts during National Safety Month, the Institute
of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), in collaboration with The Chlorine
Institute, announced the release of an educational toolkit to help recyclers
safely handle hazardous compressed gas containers entering their facilities.
The toolkit promotes the message, “Stop, Look, Think, Call,” educating workers
in the recycling industry to better identify potential hazards, determine the
situation, and call appropriate emergency responders or experts if necessary.
“Our partnership with The Chlorine Institute has allowed us to raise awareness
of the potential hazards that could occur when recyclers come in contact with
compressed gas containers, and educate industry workers on the proper way to
respond,” said Robin Wiener, President of ISRI. “The Stop, Look, Think, Call
message is a simple, easy to remember way of how to properly handle chlorine
containers. These four steps can help avoid the release of chlorine,
toxic gases, explosions, and most importantly, prevent serious injuries.”
The four steps to handling compressed gas containers are:
- STOP
unidentified gas containers entering the facility;
- LOOK for
valves, damage, and other identifying markings;
- When
handling potentially dangerous cylinders, THINK! Assume the gas container is
holding pressure, and contact a hazardous material specialist to handle
it; and
- CALL
the local fire department if the container is leaking, if not contact
other expert assistance.
“Product
stewardship includes ensuring the safe handling of Chlorine Institute members’
products throughout their lifecycles,” said CI President Frank Reiner.
“We welcome this opportunity to partner with America’s recyclers to help
educate their employees and managers about the right way to respond to gas
cylinders and containers, and CI members were pleased to share their technical
expertise in developing the ‘Stop, Look, Think, Call’ materials.”
The toolkit
contains three primary components:
- Pocket
Guide: Able to fit in a worker’s pocket and withstand the environment of a
scrap yard, it serves as a constant reminder to Stop, Look, Think, Call
when dealing with a chlorine container.
- Print
Brochure: A more in-depth description of the four steps to help train
scrap yard personnel and serve as ongoing resource that to which they can
refer.
- YouTube Video: A six minute training video that
identifies and demonstrates specific cylinder safety processes,
specifically focusing on the message of Stop, Look, Think, Call.
Copies of the
pocket guide and brochure can be obtained by contacting ISRI Safety. All three materials also can be
found on the CI Website - https://www.chlorineinstitute.org/stewardship/resources/.
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The
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of
the Recycling Industry™. ReMA represents more than 1,600 companies in 21
chapters nationwide that process, broker and industrially consume scrap
commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics and
textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides safety,
education, advocacy, and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of
the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the
environment and sustainable development.
The
Chlorine Institute (CI) founded in 1924, is a technical trade
association of companies involved in the safe production, distribution and use
of chlorine, sodium and potassium hydroxides and sodium hypochlorite, the
distribution and use of hydrogen chloride and the distribution of vinyl
chloride monomer. Visit us online at www.chlorineinstitute.org.