Australian Chemical Industry Council Warehousing and Storage Code of Practice

ACIC acknowledges the assistance from the Chemical Manufacturers Association
(USA), the Canadian Chemical Producers Association, CONSElL Europeen des
Federation De L'industrie Chemique (Europe), the Chemical Industries
Association (UK), and the Agricultural & Veterinary Chemicals Association of
Australia Ltd (AVCA), towards the publication of this Code.

The term "Responsible Care" and or "Responsible' Care: A Public
Commitment", together with the Logo are registered trade marks
of ACIC.

PURPOSE

The member companies of the Australian Chemical Industry Council (ACIC) are
committed, as a condition of membership, to the policy of "Responsible Care".

This Code governs ACIC member company actions regarding
Warehousing and Storage consistent with the Abiding Principles
of the Responsible Care commitment.

This code is intended to result in the management of Warehousing and Storage
in such a way as to minimize the impact of such activities on human health and
the environment. Specifically the Code is designed to protect and promote the
health and safety of people in the workplace and the general public. It is
also designed to protect the environment and property.

In general, the implementation of this code involves setting
management plans and objectives, carrying out hazard
evaluations, implementing risk reduction programmes and
supporting a community awareness programme. With these in
place, the member companies and ACIC will be able to
quantitatively measure performance.

A glossary defining key terms is appended.

SCOPE

The Warehousing and Storage Code covers all operations that chemicals undergo
after manufacture and before ultimate use except transportation which is
covered in the Transportation Code of Practice. For the purpose of this code,
"Warehousing and Storage" covers both bulk and packaged chemicals and is the
handling, re-packing, care, custody and pipe-line transfer of chemicals. This
code covers all facilities whether owned operated by or contracted to the
member company.

The Warehousing and Storage Code of Practice details management
practices and calls for risk assessments and risk reduction
activities designed -

(i) to eliminate incidents which could result in injury to
people or damage to the environment

(ii) to minimize the impact of such incidents if they should
occur.

and in addition calls for community involvement in member
warehousing and storage operations.

RELEVANT ABIDING PRINCIPLES

The following ACIC Abiding Principles for Responsible Care are
relevant to the subject of this code.

. Recognize and respond to community concerns about
chemicals and our operations.

. Operate our plants and facilities in a manner that
preserves the environment and protects the health and
safety of our employees and the public.

. Report information on relevant chemical-related health or
environmental hazards promptly to appropriate authorities,
employees, customers and the public and to
recommend protective measures.

. Give advice to customers on the safe use, transportation
and disposal of chemical products.

. Co-operate with customers, authorities and affected groups
and individuals to resolve problems created by the
handling and disposal of chemical substances considered
hazardous.

. Co-operate with government in developing laws and
regulations to safeguard the community, the workplace and
the environment; to endeavour to ensure that such laws are
based on scientifically supported data and or expert
opinion.

. Promote these principles and practices by sharing
experience and offering assistance to others who produce,
handle, use, transport or dispose of chemicals.

WAREHOUSING & STORAGE CODE OF PRACTICE

1. General Aspects

Each member company shall have written policies, procedures and improvement
plans for warehousing and storage. These shall apply to all facilities and
cover all operations as defined in the scope. Responsibilities shall be
clearly defined for approving, communicating, implementing, reviewing and
updating these documents.

The key objectives are the achievement of full compliance with
this Code (preferably within the defined Milestone periods) and
continuous improvements thereafter.

To achieve this each member company shall:

1.1 Maintain policies and procedures which meet or exceed all
applicable laws, regulations and relevant Australian
Standards in letter and in spirit.

1.2 Maintain records and quantitative measures of warehousing
and storage incidents and reviews.

1.3 Set specific targets for reduction of these incidents and
for improvement in reviews.

1.4 Work actively, alone or through selected organisations, and if
possible in consultation with other affected parties to assist
governments in developing public policies, legislation and regulations
governing warehousing and storage.

1.5 Maintain a system that identifies ownership, responsibility and
status of chemicals through warehousing and storage operations.

1.6 Do not use facilities or engage in practices that do not
meet this code.

2. Risk Assessment

Each member company shall carry out risk assessments of its
warehousing and storage operations on a regular basis.

To achieve this each member company shall:

2.1 Maintain a system of review that considers the hazards of
each material, the methods of containment (including pipe-
lines) and the procedures involving handling and storage.

2.2 Maintain a system that considers the likelihood of releases or loss
of containment and the impact of human and environmental exposure.

2.3 Maintain a system that will only allow new chemicals into
warehousing and storage after a risk assessment has been
completed.

3. Risk Reduction

Each member company shall actively practise risk reduction by
developing effective practices for those who warehouse and store chemicals.

To achieve this each member company shall:

3.1 Ensure the appropriate approved siting of all facilities.

3.2 Ensure security is provided at all facilities to prevent
unauthorized access.

3.3 Maintain a system that reviews the integrity of all
containment facilities including storage tanks, pipe-lines, drums
and other packaging at least in
accordance with regulatory requirements.

3.4 Ensure materials are appropriately segregated during
storage.
3.5 Ensure all operations are covered by written and regularly
up-dated procedures.

3.6 Ensure as a minimum all labelling is in accordance with
regulatory requirements.

3.7 Maintain a system that provides guidance and information
in advance to any group that may be affected by the
warehousing and storage of chemicals. The system must
include provisions to keep such information current.

3.8 Maintain a system that regularly reviews suitability of
all facilities.

3.9 Maintain a system that reviews supplier ability to meet
this code.

3.10 Maintain a system that ensures prompt and effective
response to any incident during warehousing and storage.

3.11 Ensure all member company and contractor personnel are
adequately trained in all operational matters (including
safety, health and environment matters) and that this
training is formally reviewed.

4. Community Awareness

Each member company shall seek to involve any nearby (local)
community in appropriate segments of its warehousing and storage operations.

To achieve this each member company shall:

4.1 Ensure that plans for any new significant chemical storage
facility or any major change at an existing chemical
storage facility are discussed with the local community.

4.2 Maintain a system that responds to any reasonable
community request as to type and quantity of chemicals in
a storage facility.

4.3 Encourage the local community to have an understanding of
member company practices especially those involving
security and emergency response.

4.4 Encourage the formation of neighbourhood consultative
committees.

4.5 Provide for public visits to member operated facilities.

4.6 Maintain a system that as a minimum provides information
on warehousing and storage matters such as:

. MSDS's
. transport arrangement
. significant accident or incident
. routine or accidential emissions