Govt kicks off campaign for safe storage of hazardous substances

The government on Tuesday kicked off a campaign to promote a new set of rules for the storage of hazardous substances, with Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou visiting the Vasiliko cement works to inspect its storage facilities.

The government’s campaign aims to inform the companies impacted by the rule changes which are now obliged to implement stricter procedures for the prevention of spillages and other potential accidents.

Companies are now obliged to perform risk assessments prior to storing various hazardous chemical substances, with the government aiming to limit risk in this way.

In addition, limits have been set on the quantity of various substances which can be stored in one place at any given time, while guidelines have been set on “suitable” locations in which such substances can be stored, and other good practice rules have also been set out.

“Today’s visit to the Vasiliko cement works focused on health and safety issues, coinciding with the upgrading of the institutional framework for the rules for the storage of dangerous chemical substances was completed,” Panayiotou said.

He added, “our presence at the cement works is the first informational visit of its kind, as this cement works has always been characterised by its increased sensitivity to health and safety issues.”