Industry Associations Issue Guidance on Chemical Site Security |
|
|
The guidance, issued last week, does not impose specific requirements on companies but suggests ways to evaluate and manage risks. It suggests procedures for worker training and emergency response, as well as protecting physical structures and computer systems. It also includes sample procedures on how to handle trespassers, bomb threats, suspicious packages, and suspicious employee behavior. Security consultants Hallcrest Systems (McClean, VA) produced the guidance document. The work began more than six months ago and is not in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, industry groups say. It is designed particularly for chemical producers, and complements voluntary safety and security goals of Responsible Care, they say. "Attacks against chemical assets can hold greater consequences than attacks on assets of some other industries," the guidance says. Environmental groups welcome the document, but say that industry should focus first on making facility and process changes that reduce chemical hazards. "The key issue should be design for prevention, not add-on security controls," says Paul Orum, executive director at Working Group on Community Right-to-Know (Washington). |
|