Ensure safe handling of hazardous chemicals: CPD

The government should ensure safety at every stage of the value chain in handling chemicals and hazardous products, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said today.

The risk of the industrial safety concerning hazardous chemical is not only limited to inland container depots, but also to the whole value chain from production, transportation, storage to shipments, said Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of the CPD.

He made the recommendations while presenting a study on "Industrial safety concerning chemical and hazardous products supply chain: what lessons we learned from Chittagong ICD blast?" at the CPD office.

He said there are institutional and operational weaknesses across the value chain in handling dangerous chemical substances, which need to be addressed properly.

The regular inspection of the authorities concerned, including the National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, the Department of Environment, the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, needs to be strengthened, he said. 

CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun, Christian Aid Bangladesh Programme Manager Nuzhat Jabin, and CPD Research Intern Jebunnesa (Jeba) were also present at the programme.

On June 4, the deadly fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda area of Chattogram killed 51 and injured over 200 and caused a loss of $110 million worth of assets.