Information Management
GOAL
Establish systems to manage the information needed for a Chemical Accidents Programme.
Information is critical to many aspects of an effective Chemical Accidents Programme. Therefore, systems are needed to collect, catalogue and maintain information up-to-date, and to easily access information when needed.
The types of information that are needed include:
- inventories of hazardous installations and chemicals of concern;
- translations of the names of chemicals of concern in local languages;
- directories identifying characteristics of hazardous substances;
- guidance for responders (to effectively respond and medical treatment of victims);
- risk assessments and safety reports related to individual installations;
- inspection reports;
- accident case histories and investigations reports (including information on the health impacts of accidents);
- guidance/information for industry and for the public.
Suggested activities include:
- Develop and maintain systems for generating or collecting the information needed (including accessing information available from industry, international organisations, other countries, academic and other non-governmental organisations)
- Systematically review and catalogue the information
- Organise the information so it is accessible and understandable by those that need it
- Maintain the information up-to-date
- Establish mechanism for the exchange of information within your country and between countries.
Relevant tools
- International Programme on Chemical Safety, INCHEM: Chemical Safety Information from Intergovernmental Organizations
- OECD: eChemPortal
- UNEP: A Flexible Framework for addressing Chemical Accident Prevention and Preparedness – A Guidance Document (2010)
- Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
- UNEP: Guidance on the Development of Legal and Institutional Infrastructures for Sound Management of Chemicals and Measures for Recovering Costs of National Administration (LIRA-Guidance) (2015)
- UNDP - Chemicals and Waste Management for Sustainable Development (Guidev) [2019]