At Matchmaker Logistics, we’re always looking for ways to become even stronger service providers to our customer and carrier clients. And, we’re proud to announce that we’ve been named a Responsible Care® Partner with the American Chemistry Council.
Most people don’t spend much time thinking about chemical spills – until one happens. But they happen several thousand times per year in states, counties, and cities all over the country. A 10-year-study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, spanning from 1999 to 2008, recorded a total of 57,975 acute incidents.
The impact of a chemical release can be wide-reaching and long-lasting. A quick Google search reveals reports of spills that shut down major transportation arteries in the United States for about twelve hours at a time. Not only does the spill affect the manufacturer, the shipper, local law enforcement, and specialized clean-up teams; it also affects commuters, school children, and residents whose water supply could potentially be contaminated. (One chemical spill happened across the street from a daycare and within close proximity to two county schools.)
Even the smallest HAZMAT incident is no laughing matter as there can be serious consequences, including environmental damage and human exposure resulting in injuries, or even death. In cases where public and environmental safety are not jeopardized, the financial impact is still significant.
Yet, the chemical industry is a major and necessary component of the U.S. economy, accounting for about half-a-million jobs, and more than $50 billion in payroll. The chemical industry manufactures all sorts of substances for consumer products, agriculture, and every major sector of the U.S. economy. And naturally, those chemicals have to be transported. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that nearly 1 million shipments of hazardous materials occur daily in the United States. One million! (as Dr. Evil might exclaim…)
In 1993, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) created the Responsible Care® Partnership Program to extend Responsible Care® practices through the entire supply chain. Matchmaker Logistics is now one of approximately 100 Responsible Care® Partner companies engaged in:
- Identifying safety issues and developing mutually beneficial solutions;
- Improving reliability and reducing risk throughout the supply chain;
- Sharing and leveraging excellent practices;
- Promoting increased communication and interaction on industry EHS&S practices; and
- Improving dialogue with communities and other stakeholders about the safe handling of chemical products.
The way we see it, we all hold the keys to safety in our hands. We’d rather be safe than lucky, and so Matchmaker employees take every preventive measure we can to ensure that we’re doing our part to hire safe, qualified HAZMAT drivers with the appropriate equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently.
Nobody wants to be “the reason for their company safety video”. If you’d like to discuss what we do to prevent ‘the evils’ of chemical-related accidents; or the systems we have in place to minimize damage should one occur, please reach out to me.
Fuel for Thought,
Bob
