Rapid response service for chemical spills
15 Jan 2000
An offshoot of AEA Technology is to provide a rapid response service to deal with chemical accidents in the UK. The National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) has agreed to provide support for the British Chemical Distributors and Traders Association as part of its Careline 24 service.
Designed to integrate with companies' own emergency response procedures, the service provides a 24-hour hotline for subscribers which they can then give to the emergency services in the event of an accident - part of their repsonsibilities under the Responsible Care programme. The fire, police or ambulance officers responding to the incident can phone the NCEC and talk to experts who can tell them how to deal with the potential hazards caused by each chemical.
The NCEC was originally formed by the then-UK Atomic Energy Authority 25 years ago to advise the emergency services on how to handle hazardous chemicals. Its expansion into Careline 24, and its adoption by BCDTA is part of a package to mark the 10th anniversary of Responsible Care in the UK.
