Download SQAS Audits essential to ensure safe transport of dangerous goods

PRESS RELEASE
CAIA RESPONSIBLE CARE:
SQAS AUDITS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS
Transporting dangerous goods, including hazardous chemicals, is associated with specific risks that
could cause harm to people, animals, property and the environment in the event of an accident. This
is why it is essential for dangerous goods hauliers and logistics service providers (LSPs) to have
management systems in place to properly identify and control the risks arising from the transport of
dangerous chemicals.
The Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA) says member companies that are signatories
to the Responsible Care initiative are required to ensure that their transport providers comply with
the South African Safety and Quality Assessment System (SQAS).
SQAS is designed to evaluate the quality, safety and environmental performance of LSPs and
chemical distributors in a uniform manner, by means of a single standardised assessment carried out
by independent third-party auditors.
“SQAS audits ensure that transport service providers are assessed according to an internationally
accepted audit protocol modified to suit local conditions,” says CAIA executive director, Dr Laurraine
Lotter. “Chemical companies need assurance that these operations are carried out in a safe and
quality manner with due regard for the protection of employees, the public and the environment.”
Although the SQAS audit does not guarantee the safety and quality of the service provided, the
system does provide a mechanism to evaluate performance and promote continuous improvement,
and provides useful feedback directly to the service provider on the strengths and weaknesses
observed during the assessment.
South Africa’s SQAS protocol was recently been modified so that it can also be used to assess the
performance of companies that transport low-hazard and non-hazardous substances in bulk.
For more information or to obtain a list of LSPs that have been SQAS assessed visit the CAIA website
at http://www.caia.co.za/hauliers.htm.
ENDS
March 11 2011
Prepared by: Siyenza Management
011 463 9184
[email protected]
On behalf of:
Contact:
Responsible Care
Louise Lindeque
[email protected]
Notes to the editor:
Responsible Care is a global initiative by the chemical industry that assists members to improve their
safety, health and environmental (SHE) performance, by continuously raising standards in
management and operations. CAIA members sign a voluntary pledge, committing themselves to the
guiding principles of Responsible Care and undergo regular assessment and third-party audits to
ensure compliance. For more information visit www.caia.co.za/rescare.
CAIA Responsible Care is a proud supporter of the International Year of Chemistry
2011 (IYC 2011), which seeks to celebrate the achievements of the “central science”
and its contributions to humankind. Visit www.chemistry2011.org.