CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2025 - Flipbook - Page 75
CHEMCONNECT 2025
“Our distribution management
system is built around four major
pillars: driver management, journey
management, vehicle integrity, and
contractor management. Here, vehicle
integrity plays a signi昀椀cant role in
reducing the risk of accidents. To
manage emergencies e昀昀ectively, we
have established a Quick-Response
Team (QRT) that can reach an incident
site within one hour of being noti昀椀ed by the control room. This team operates across a vast geography,
covering 3,000 kilometers, and includes over 65 people in the 昀椀eld, with
a supporting control room team monitoring all vehicles. The QRT team
is made up of technicians who can perform quick assessments, such as
handling chemical leaks. In addition, we have developed emergency liquid
transport equipment for situations where the vehicle is too damaged
to continue. This allows us to transfer hazardous materials to another
vehicle, ensuring the product can be safely delivered. Another critical
aspect of our emergency preparedness is journey management. With
advancements in digitalisation, we now track our vehicles in real-time.”
DINESH PATEL, DGM– Integrated Logistics (Liquids & Gas) Petrochem
Div., Reliance Industries
“In India, the primary regulation to
follow is the Central Motor Vehicle
Act, which is comprehensive and
mandatory. Sections 124 to 130 of
this act provide detailed guidelines for
handling hazardous materials. The
BIS has also developed the IS 18149
regulation, which provides guidelines
for transporting dangerous goods.
This regulation is mandatory and
ensures that we comply with safety
protocols throughout the transportation process. For warehousing hazardous
chemicals, there are also strict guidelines to follow. The Manufacturing
and Storage Rule outlines how chemicals should be stored, including
the threshold limits and proper handling practices. Another important
point is the GHS, which requires that all hazardous chemical packages
be labeled with the appropriate hazard symbols and information. Lastly,
packaging guidelines are crucial when transporting hazardous goods.
The UN-approved packaging standard ensures that all hazardous goods
are packed in containers scrutinised for compatibility and safety. IIP tests
these containers to ensure they meet the required standards.”
PRAKASH WAGH, Regulatory Compliance Manager and Country
Transport Safety Advisor (India and Australia), Clariant India
“Technology has evolved from being a
useful tool to an essential necessity.
In today's world, we cannot function
e昀昀ectively without it, especially when
dealing with hazardous chemicals.
Let me break it down into three
key areas: safety, compliance, and
traceability. When it comes to safety,
it’s crucial to ensure that hazardous
chemicals are stored and handled
properly. Technology helps track
where chemicals are stored and ensures they are kept away from
incompatible substances, preventing dangerous reactions. In terms of
compliance, the chemical industry is highly regulated, and keeping up
with all the standards can be di昀케cult. However, technology makes it
easier. There are various software tools available that help ensure we
meet these regulations. Traceability is another area where technology
plays a big role. Blockchain, for example, helps us track the origin of
chemicals in the supply chain, ensuring they come from legitimate
sources. In addition, sensors and IoT devices allow real-time tracking
of hazardous chemicals.”
RAMIT MAHAJAN, Head– Supply Chain Enablement – IMEA, CX,
Supply Chain Indian, Henkel
“Risk assessment during transportation involves identifying
different types of risks that
could cause delays in delivering
goods to the customer. There are
several methodologies currently
in use by industries, particularly those certi昀椀ed under ISO
45001, where risk is assessed
through hazard identi昀椀cation
and risk assessment protocols
that address all aspects of transportation, including the distribution of
chemicals, transport arrangements, in-transit packages, and unloading at
the customer’s end. In addition, companies adhering to the Responsible Care
programme are required to identify additional risks that need thorough
evaluation. This covers all risks associated with transportation from
the company’s gate to the customer’s gate, including the transport from
the supplier to the company’s facility. A comprehensive risk assessment
must consider various factors such as road conditions, accident-prone
zones, nearby police stations, hospitals, and emergency contact numbers
for vehicles and trailers. The outcome of this risk assessment is used to
guide driver training programmes.”
MILIND MUSALE, GM– EHS and Sustainability, Vinati Organics
“I believe there are plenty of job
opportunities within hazardous
logistics that have yet to be fully
explored. We need to open up
career paths in areas like label
creation, transportation regulations, and training in MSDS. A
deep understanding of MSDS
and its connection to transportation is a great example of the
kind of expertise required. By
providing hands-on training and knowledge, logistics service providers
can help bridge this knowledge gap, creating a more skilled workforce.
Historically, driving has not been seen as a prestigious job, but this
mindset needs to change. The newer generation, particularly Gen Z,
is open-minded, e昀케cient, and judicious. They are less judgmental and
more willing to embrace non-traditional career paths. For example, we
could launch the Chakraveer scheme, inspired by the government's 4-year
defence-related Agniveer programme, to support and encourage youth
to enter the transport industry. We need to remove the stigma and give
drivers the dignity they deserve. This e昀昀ort should be a collective one,
involving the government, private sector, and the public.”
RAJNI SAKPAL, Head– EXIM Logistics, Harman Finochem
“Training people becomes one
of the most critical aspects of
hazardous goods management.
First is general awareness training, wherein individuals need
to understand what types of
products they are working with
and the basic processes involved,
including how to safely operate
in a hazardous environment.
Second is speci昀椀c to the tasks
people perform. This includes training for those who create labels,
shipping documents, and lea昀氀ets, as well as for the drivers, cargo crews,
and warehouse loaders and unloaders. The people managing these
operations also need to be trained. The carrier, consignee, and consignor
should also have knowledge of handling hazardous materials. The third
category is emergency response. This training includes understanding
the emergency response procedures and having a plan in place before
an incident occurs. Further, training in hazardous goods management
involves incident communication. If a spill or accident happens during
transportation, it is essential that the communication about the incident
is clear, accurate, and conveys the appropriate level of urgency.”
SEBI FRANCIS, Head of India Operations, Albaugh, LLC
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