Suwon to Become 'Safe Chemical City' Free from Hazardous Chemicals

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon announced on the 26th that it has established and implemented the '2021 Chemical Management and Chemical Accident Response Plan' with three major strategies and nine promotion tasks to create a 'chemical-safe Suwon city free from hazardous chemical substances.'

The three major strategies, known as 'R.P.G,' include ▲rapid and thorough response to chemical accidents (Response) ▲prevention of chemical accidents (Prevention) ▲cooperation with the local community (Governance), creating a safe city based on these principles.

The nine promotion tasks are ▲establishing a 'regional chemical accident response plan' ▲preparing department-specific chemical accident response manuals ▲conducting chemical accident response drills ▲operating chemical accident prevention text alert services ▲educating chemical handling business managers ▲providing chemical safety consulting for small-scale businesses ▲continuously developing 'chemical accident conclusion indicators' in cooperation with Paichai University ▲operating the Suwon Chemical Accident Management Committee ▲holding discussion sessions with hazardous chemical handling business operators, among others.

The city is building a system to prepare for chemical accidents, strengthening expertise, and creating a 'chemical safety city.' In 2016, it enacted the 'Suwon Chemical Accident Response and Community Right to Know Ordinance' and established the 'Chemical Accident Management Committee.'

After establishing the 'Chemical Management Master Plan' in 2017, the city integrated corporate hazard management plans into regional emergency response plans and standardized them. In 2019, the city completed the construction of a hazardous chemical handling information database for businesses within the city not included in the Ministry of Environment's statistical survey, and produced emergency response manuals.

In September of last year, it signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding on Chemical Accident Response Environmental Technology Development Projects' with Paichai University's Industry-Academia Cooperation Division, and is developing 'chemical accident conclusion indicators' that determine the timing for completion of damage recovery and resident return following chemical accidents.

In December of last year, the city produced the 'Suwon Chemical (Environmental) Accident Response Manual' and distributed it to 180 chemical business permit holders within the city.

In June and October of this year, the city plans to hold discussion sessions with hazardous chemical handling business operators and discuss joint response measures when chemical accidents occur.

By April, the city plans to distribute 'unauthorized discharge business advance notice promotional materials' to businesses located in industrial complexes in Gwonseon-gu and industrial zones in Yeongdeung-gu. The promotional materials contain information on emission business reporting targets, business categories, procedures for permits and reporting of environmental pollution emission facilities, and penalties for illegal activities such as unauthorized operations.

A city official said, "Based on the hazardous chemical management and chemical accident response plan, we will create a 'chemical safety city' where citizens can live with peace of mind."