Manufacturing the chemical products needed for modern living requires high-tech facilities, with a specially trained workforce and sophisticated equipment that can safely handle a range of materials.
For more than 30 years, Responsible Care® has exemplified our industry’s commitment to safe manufacturing operations. Through the
Responsible Care Process Safety Code, ACC members build and maintain a culture and system of safety throughout chemical facility operations.
Safety starts at the top: Company senior leadership sets the tone and expectations for superior safety performance by instilling and promoting a culture to continually identify, reduce and manage safety risks. And senior leaders are held accountable for the company’s safety performance, while workers are empowered to make safety their primary priority.
ACC members don’t take safety for granted. Unfortunately, safety incidents can sometimes occur at manufacturing facilities.
ACC members investigate process safety incidents and learn from each one, by sharing information on the factors that led to the incident and identifying actions that can help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, both within their own company as well as throughout the industry.
Enhancing Security against Terrorism
Responsible Care means companies work closely with federal, state and local authorities to safeguard their local communities.
After September 11, 2001, ACC members took the lead to enhance security against terrorism. Without waiting for government mandate, ACC adopted the
Responsible Care Security Code in 2002 to further enhance facility security and community safety. The Security Code means
ACC members undertake comprehensive security assessments, conduct training and safety drills, and share important security information with local emergency response teams and federal authorities.
The Security Code predates federal security regulations and has served as a model for subsequent regulatory action under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS)
Chemical Facility Anti-terrorism Standards program. In addition, through the
SAFETY Act, DHS recognizes the Responsible Care Security Code as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology.
Handling Chemicals Safely Along the Supply Chain
Facility safety obligations don’t stop at the fence line. According to the
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), nearly one million shipments of hazardous materials occur each day in the United States. Distributing and handling chemicals safely is an important performance indicator for Responsible Care companies.
In 2015, Responsible Care companies experienced 840 distribution incidences, most of which were minor in nature, with no associated injuries and minimal product and property damages. Since 1995, the number of distribution incidents among ACC members has
declined by 61 percent.
ACC also extends the Responsible Care ethic throughout the chemical supply chain, through its
Responsible Care Partnership Program.
Responsible Care Partners are companies that distribute, transport, store, use, treat, dispose of or market chemicals. More than 100 Partner companies follow the same Responsible Care requirements as ACC members and
report their performance in areas including environmental and energy impacts; employee, product and process safety; and supply chain safety and security.