A new industry coalition of diverse interested parties came together today to establish theIndustrial Packaging Safety Alliance (PackSafe). This alliance seeks to make industrial packaging safer for people, property, and the environment by advocating for regulatory clarity and consistency, and engaging both regulators and industry representatives to promote the safe handling and warehousing of hazardous and non-hazardous materials.
As part of its debut, PackSafe has published a whitepaper written by noted fire safety expert David Nugent. Nugent, a senior consultant with Global Risk Consultants with more than 33 years of experience in the industrial loss prevention and mitigation field, presents an examination of current U.S. regulations, highlighting a misalignment between certain National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire codes and related Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations that affects public safety. Mr. Nugent also makes recommendations on a path forward.
“PackSafe has formed to raise awareness about the importance of selecting the right package for the right product,” noted John McQuaid, PackSafe Senior Advisor and Principle of MCQ Management Associates LLC. “We advocate for safety, not a specific type of packaging or container material. For this reason, we are addressing a longstanding disconnect in regulations surrounding the transportation and warehousing of both hazardous and non-hazardous materials.”
“It is vital that these misalignments be recognized and corrected in order to ensure the safe handling of hazardous and non-hazardous materials,” said Mr. Nugent. “PackSafe’s establishment is an important first step. I look forward to continuing to work with this group as it begins to effect change.”
Based on the recommendations included in the whitepaper, PackSafe plans to formally petition OSHA to bring its regulations in-line with the current edition of the NFPA 30 fire code. This simple change will ensure adequate safeguards are provided to reduce the hazards associated with the storage, handling and use of flammable and combustible liquids.
